Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-02
APPALLING TALE OF DISASTER
Twin Cities at Mouth of Kaw are in
Decentralization Through Loss
of Life and Property.

IEAVENWORTH, Kan, June 1.-The
twin cities at the mouth of the Kaw
river have undergone the most appalling
calamity In their history. The loss of
property in the two cities will run up into
the tens of millions of dollars and the
loss of life cannot be estimated.
At least 200 persons are reported to have
been swallowed up by the relentless cur.
rents where two monster torrents, the
Kansas and Missouri rivers, come together.
All is chaos In both of the cities. All
street car traffic is suspended and the two
cities are in darkness. All of the avail
able horses have been driven for two daya
without sleep and are worn out. Every
able bodied man in either city has been
toiling since the flood began in a heroic
EFFORT to bring succor to the 10000 inhab-
itants of Armourdale and Argentine, who
are beleaguered by the flood. which In
some places extends for twenty miles.
All efforts to get to the sufferers from
the Missouri side are now vain and the
only hope lies in Leavenworth.
1t was shortly after o'clock Sunday af-
ternoon when the most fearful calamity
| occurred. A monster metal tank contain
ing oil OF the oil company which had been
located to the west of eighteen railway
foundations and, hurled down the torrent
against the spans. which were already
weakened from the incessant lombard
ment of drift and floating houses and Other
structures from Kansas City, Kan.
The enormous steel structures snapped
! like kindling before the onslaught of the
| immense tank, which weighed more thar
100 tons. Thronged with spectators who
had climbed to the bridges despite the ef
| forts of guards, seventeen of the immens'
structures were carried down the stream
with all souls. Hundreds were preeipitatet
into the swift currents. Heroic efforts
were made by the officers and spectators
but the strongest craft could not live II
such a mill race. Even the big river steam
ers were hurled back against the banks
when they attempted to go to the rescue.
Some few who fell in close to the shor'
were swept against the banks and saved
None OF those who went down In mid
stream were even seen TO rise again.
Many examples of heToism were dis
played. some OF them resulting in the los
OF the lives OF the would-be rescuers.
On all sides OF the flooded district
people can be seen standing on the hous'
tops frantically signaling for aid.
The Missouri Pacific and other railway
are entirely shut of from all communica
tion with the two Kansas Citys. Tn
only avenue OF commerce now open Is tn
Kansas City-Leavenworth Interurban Elec
trio line, which is operating under tn
gravest OF difhculties in an EFFORT to TAX
supplies 10 the sufferers. Thousands
pounds of food and clothing have beei
forwarded. Everything available Is 0einI
done here TO relieve the situation ana
mass meeting Is being held here tonish
in an effort to raise all possible supple
for the suffering city.
In ArmouTdale, RosedAle and Argentine
all Of which are united by one continuou
stretch OF water. 10000 persons are home
less and destitute, suffering for want o
suffcient clothing and proper food an
shelter.
At this point the river stands at nfty-t"
and . half feet above the 81. Louis leTe