The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-06-17
PERILs OF REFUGEES.
Topeka Physicians Fear . scourge OF
Disease.


Topeka, Kan.-The water in the Kan
sas River is subsiding, and while prac-
tically all of North Topeka Is still un-
der water the worst of the flood situa-
ton is over and the work Of rescue is
now going forward rapidly. One thou.
sand tents will be erected outside the
city for the refugees from North TO.
peka, and they may have to remain in
this camp for several months, as Presi-
dent L., Y. Grubbs. Of the Board of
Health, says that even after the water
recedes rhe sanitary condition Of North
Topeka will be such that it cannot be
inhabited for several months.
The recession of the food has en-
abled the authorities to make q can
vass of the damage done. and they re-
port that the belief that nearly 200 had
perished in the food was erroneous.
The known dead number thirty-four,
and the city authorities do not believe
that this number will be largely il
creased.
The distress of the sufferers is being
relieved. Those who are still In North
Topeka are being supplied with food
and they are in practically no danger
unless it be from sickness.
One Of the most distressing features
Of the situation now Is the possibility
gious diseases. Gases Of diphtheria and
scarlet fever are reported among the
refugees. Hundreds Of cases OF
measles are prevalent among the chill
dren. and. on account Of the exposed
condition of the patients, will result fa-
tally in many cases.
The possibility of an epidemic Is now
the most serious thing the city must
contend with. An emergency Board of
Health has been appointed by the
Mayor to cooperate with the city ply
sician in quelling the disease which
will result from the food. The board
organized. electing DR.. I. Y. Grubbs
president.
Provisions of all sorts are becoming
scarce in Topeka.
A sad feature Of the situation is the
tendency of thieves to loot buildings.
They 90 in by RATS and boats away
out in the suburbs where the homes are
abandoned. The police have orders to
shoot>such marauders on sight.
It is estimated that the loss IN the
residence part of North Topeka will
reach S5OO,OoO, in addition to the loss
to the Santa Fe Rock Island and Union
Pacific railways. which will aggregate
100000. The loss to the Topeka Street
Railway Company will perhaps he S75,-
600. The loss to the business district
| is believed to be something more than
$1.OO0,00O. ,
President Roosevelt telegraphed to
Governor Bailey. offering assistance of
! the Federal authorities, If needed, as
follows:
cheyenne, Wyo.--I am inexpressibly
shocked at reports Of dreadful calamity
that has befallen Topeka. If there is
anything the Federal authorities can
do, Of course. let me know.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Large contributions have already
been received for the benefit Of the suf-
ferers. The amount given by Topeka
citizens alone will aggregate 100000.
To this is to be added an immense
quantity of clothing. provisions and
general supplies. Outside towns have
generously offered aid, notable among
which is Galveston. Texas.
The first effective rescue work began
soon after daylight when nine boats ar
rived from Ottawa on a special train,
and they were put into active service
at once.
Soon after reports of drowning began
to come in. A boat containing eight
men engaged in rescue work was swept
away in the swift current. AS far as
known all were drowned. A boat con-
tanning two men was capsized. The
boats were too frail to live in the
whirling waters. More boats arrived
from Emporia and hurry messages
were sent to other. towns for more.
It was soon recognized that rowboats
would be Of no use in battling with the
currents. Steam launches must be Sc