The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-03
NEARLY ALL BROUGHT OUT.
Only a Few People Are Now Left in North
Topeka
Many of the Unfortunates Have Been Taken
to FIolton.

The condition of North Topeka cannot
be described so that one who has not
been over the scene can get an idea of
the damage which has been done.
The loss by FIRE was small compared
with taat of destruction of houses by
currents. Large barns and dwelling
houses can be seen on the upper part Of
Central avenue. and also on the east
side, near the Woolen mills, turned
completely over, with the roof under
water Some buildings are moved from
their foundations and have drifted two
or three blocks onto other property
Some dwellings or barns may never be
accounted for.
All sewers and watermains have been
washed around. caved in and broken.
There is hardly any pavement left on
Kansas avenue or any of the streets run
ming east and west across it, Near the
approach of the Melan bridge, in front
of the home of o. D. Skinner the
asphalt pavement is rolled up like a
blanket and piled against the trees in
front Of the house A huge drift con-
tanning tons of wood lumber brush
and parts of houses. is collected on
Kansas avenue at Norris street. The
avenue is Obstructed in several places
in a like manner. Lumber. windows
doors and screens in large quantities
have doated out of the Thomas plan
ing mill. which narrowly escaped the
fire which broke out close by Saturday.
The machinery is practically ruined.
The falling water does not seem to
slack the swift current which cuts
through the town in every street from
Norris to Park. This current win not
stop until the water has fallen to a Level
which viii almost empty the town. The
streets have been washed completely
out and viii he found to be nothing but
gulleys All the houses are filled with
soft Shiny mud to "A depth of from one
to two feet on Curtis street. although
the water is much shallower than fur
tner north, man cannot wade and
push his boat over the mud bars be-
cause it is bottomiess, and hangs like
quicksand The cleanest part of the in
undated city is on the extreme west
side. west of the Rock Island track.
only two families were left in the
Davis elevator today at noon. Chief
Police GOff and his family were amons
them Gon said that he would stay
until the last as the refugees depended
on him and he could do more good there
than elsewhere He has been strongly
urged to come across and take charge
AA NliE AOllht. ana LOlN lndL tnt lldUt-
cuate force. with many specials. among
it. was being bulldozed because they
did not have a head to which trouble
could be referred
Among she people rescued this morn
ing fF0m the west part of North To-
peka were several colored women and
children. One old crippled aunty who
Travelled with difficulty and a pair of
clutches. had to be carried to the life
basket by all the men who could get a
place to take hold of her. No new
deaths We're reported by the boatmen
since morning, and no floating bodies
have been seen. Several men with boats
made it their business this morning 10
dislodge dead cows and horses from
drifts so that they would float out into
the river. Their time was we'll spent
as the stencil after the water goes down
viii make North Topeka almost unaD-
proachable. Hundreds of cows and 9TH
er animals which We're drowned while
tied up or hung on drifts are all over
the flooded district.
Just before noon today Sheriff Lucas
was notified that two Of the deputies
had captured a pair OF crooks who were
fn the act of l0oting DOlman's stOrA
and had them hardcuffed and awaiting
orders. The stories of loOting were
highly exaggerated last night and no
man north Of the river was safe. Guards
on the north approach fired promiscc-
ously at every boat which appeared on
Kansas avenue for three blocks Depu-
ties had narrow escapes from being shot
b. their fellow badge-Wearers. Citizens