Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-31
PrTILEss HOLOCAUST, MERcILEss RIVERS

| FrtghtfuI scenes.
TOPEKA. Kan. May So.-People who did
not leave North Topeka last night when
they had a chance are now in the greatest
danger of losing their lives.
AS far as can be estimated at this time
over 500 people are beyond reach of rescue.
The Kansas river is rising at the rate of
three inches an hour.
Hundreds are missing.
People are drowning and others are burn
ing to death.
Four hundred houses are burned and the
whole of North Topeka will go.
As near as can be learned about $50 per-
sons are dead. Most of these were burned
to death.
Burning houses are floating about, set
ting fire to others. The lower story of the
burning buildings contain ten feet Of
water. The current is so strong that no
boat can approach any of the burning
buildings.
People are gathered on the tops of houses
and will meet death either by fire or
drowning. The cries for help can be dis
tinctly heard a mile away. The whole
city is wildly excited because of the fact
that no aid can be extended to the suf-
ferers.
The river at North Topeka is five miles
wide. No possible estimate OF the financial
loss is obtainable. but It can be stated that
It will reach into the millions
North Topeka was the manufacturing
district OF the city. Large flour mills, three
wooden mills and other manufacturing en-
terprises are entirely destroyed
Water supply is Cut on.
The water supply of the whole city has
been cut OF. The city from the river ex
tends nearly mile on the south side The
Rock Island depot has been abandoned and
more than 500 people on this side of the
river are also homeless, but no loss OF lif,
has resulted in South Topeka.
The Kansas avenue bridge is the only on,
across the river for miles and the ap
proaches to that bridge are flooded b,
thirty feet of water A pontoon bridge &
! being erected In an effort to reach the suf
ferers.
Seven thousand or more people are oI
this side of the river sheltered in public
: buildings and in the homes OF citizens
Topeka is now able to take care of all thu
unfortunates. The work OF caring for tn
refugees is being pushed with the utmos
rapidity.
: Standing on the statehouse dome as man!
as eighty fires can be counted In differen
parts of North Topeka. The whole cen
trail portion OF the city had been burned
out at. 10 o'clock tonight and IT is safe t.
say that by morning not house in tn
) main part Of North Topeka will be lef
standing.
Extent of Disaster.
When II is stated that North Topeki
has 1000 Inhabitants. the extent OF tn
disaster can be realized.
a. N.1VNUn
4 and the limbs Of trees and many are CIV
, ing I'D in despair and dropping into tn
= waters below 10 be carried away by tn
:. | swift current.
II is death by IRE or drowning TO 40C
:, unless means can be found for the rescue
:" Great efforts are being made to construc
:. a steam launch to go to the aid or the SUI
= ferers. but whatever Is done must be don
. promptly or the loss OF life will be appall
!, Ing.
A. p Baldwin. who at great risk OF NJ
life crossed in boat 10 the north sin'
- returned at 10 o'clock tonight and report
4. that nothing possible can be done 10 saV
" the city from burning.
Miss lola Troutman. sister OF ex-Leuter
II ant Governor Troutman. was rescued wit
her aged father late tonight. The two pee
!, nle had spent the entire day on the roc
U OF their house and were Just about to dro
into the water when aid came.
chief of Police Lost.
Chief Of Police Con- Thomas Page an
NJ. C. Holman, all of prominent iaihii'es
the north side, are among the Vlctm
Is wavor Bergundthal was rescued by DR.. !
n I Powell in a boat after remaining on
n boat all night.
y CONGRESSMAN Charles Curtis. with h
s. tarri,y left the flooded district this morI
IS ing. but his aged mother refused to g
saving she had seen much worse FOOD
n than this This evening two men at Il
ID risk of their own lives. succeeded In ge
IA ting the old lady away safely Mrs A.
Al SNYDER. with her four children. all strickC
4 with measles were rescued Many thrillir
ID escapes are told OF.
IN A company of militia has taken charge
70 the work of rescue and owing TO their e
pc forts several hundred people have be-
saved who otherwise would have perishe
The situation OF the beleagured peop
tonight is desperate In the extreme. y
1z only are they threatened by fire and wa te
"a but through long exposure In the cold, di
- NAL atmosphere and without suffcie
clothing they would have died in any ever
Delicate women and children have be-
D. without food or shelter since early la
r evening.
;, Several OF the persons rescued told
t. witnessing the drowning persons during 4
- day. The names OF the drowned cannot
ia given tonight, az It is impossible to sscs
r tain the correct number OF the victims. w
Wright. who manned one OF the boats. 10
.s er OF the death of a mother and child whi
he witnessed and which so affected HI
*. that he could not continue his work. +
y, story Is as follows;
7 was lust returning with a woman a
n two children from house near North al
81 Harrison streets. As I was coming bne
in house on Van Buren street a WON
IN J with child climbed ont on the norch \
l attempted 20 get into the boat. The sm
ia boat was hlled TO it's capacity and II wou
'or nave heen impossible for me to have dn
IN, ANYTHING II 7 hid tried The woman W
swept away In the current before my ey
's- Army at Relief work.
sw Business In Topeka was practically at
Ia standstiu because Of Memorial day a
rk. most OF the stores were closed the great
rk. part of the day. The flood and the CO
'n' dition OF the sufferers took the attenti