The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-10
ST. JOE's RELIEF WORK.
How the Flood Sufferers il North To-
peka Were Cared For.

AAOW eAO = AOOA = NA-~@~ ~~ 49, ~ "a 49, = -
peka Were Cared For.
The following is by c. c. Pierce in the |
st. Joe Press OF Monday:
Ten thousand homeless people who
once lived in North Topeka are in dire
need of food.
come unless instantly large quantities
of food are rushed to the flood stricken
residents of an obliterated town.
Food supplies in Topeka are almost
exhausted. Those who lost all they had
are being cared for at the homes and by
the committees Of South Topeka people,
but the resources Of the South Topekans
are growing scant
pressing.
Bedding and clothing are needed, but
food must be had and at once.
There is not a living soul in North
Topeka except the gangs of men who
are toiling to clean the former city and
to restore some semblance of order and
healthy conditions. 1t is a deserted city.
No one is allowed to live there at pres
ent. Soldiers and police and deputy
sheriffs grimly patrol its boundaries and
prevent anyone's entering without prop
er credentials.
Where are the ten thousand people
who once lived there2
They are being cared for in the houses
/ of those who lived on the other side of
4 the river and were more fortunate, al
though many Of them suffered losses in
4 the flood.
When a city no larger than Topeka is
obliged to care for 10000 people sud-
denly. it may do SO for a few hours, a
few days but
Already its resources are being taxed
to the utmost
Refugees from the flood are being
/ given all that people have to give
The relief committees are doing noble
work. The system is excellent.
Good order prevails. The people mani
fest brave and even cheerful spirit. No
one is encouraged to complain.
Many are too dazed to protest against
| the fate which overlook them
Topeka really does not yet know what
has happened to her.
Even the able and energetic chairman
of the relief committee, CAPTAIN H NJ.
Philips, said to me: DO tell me some
thing about the splendid rescue work
of the St. Joseph party-how many lives
did you people save2
Did you carry eff all OF the missing
]. 900 as seems to be the general opinion
here? We have been too busy providing
the people with food and shelter to in
vestigate the work of our noble neigh
bors.
I'VE only know that st. Joseph came
to our aid in time of awful trouble
and that its people did grand work.
I'VE hope that all the missing people
were saved by St. Joseph.
And so you see that in the midst OF
their trouble and work they do not
know anywhere near the right number
: Of those who were drowned and they
have not even thought of estimating
the extent of the damage to property.
All they can do is to work unceasing-
l1y to prevent more death and more
suffering. There is no lull after the
storm.
I'VE need things to eat" said Chair
man Philips to me, but we wouldn t
ask another dime from St. Joseph. 1t
has done so much. We can never for
get its help"
And everywhere IN topeka II was
the same Everywhere the people al
most embraced one when he said he
: was from St Joseph
God bless St. Joe" was heard every
: hour in the day. Men, women and chill
dren repeated it.
you can't pay for a thing in this
town of Topeka they said to me when
they learned that Mr.. Pyles and rep
: resented the Commercial club. it's nc
7 use your money is no good We aren
+. n11;te penniIsss on this side of the river
and let US give you meal and PEG
while you're mere
And they kept watch to see that We
didn't spend a cent. We eXpostulateu
: and tried to pay for the few things We
l wanted. The men with US would steI
; in ahead at cigar store ana say.
.aThese men are from St Joseph ano
J. the storekeeper would wave your money
: away and shake hands ana say, ~
{ the people from your town are ms
stuff"
And we had to keep our money
Gratitude toward st. Joseph was evi'
dent on all sides
Il was a Wonderfully sad scene sal sal,
f crlated to make a man forget the steri
business of life and think of his fello"
. man. ,-,,- -,-.o,
!. a., ,,lor,iner ana at , in the Afternoon
# reached s,eS Meriden over the Santa Fe. =.
3 We took 100 pounds of COFFEE 70
o'',97s 81 rice eight cases of small ar
! ! ticies of clothing and many sacks o
:, We had this load transferred to boat
:, for the farmers in the bottoms ana w
d started for Topeka on work tram
we wore rubber boots and When VI
left the tracks we waded into Nor1
Topelxa. The mud was deep ana neaT
but the raging waters had gone. "
-. walked four miles and reached there
4 o'clock. ,~ a,
IF astonishing sight. 94,. =
: AFTER seeing North Topeka with II
e xvorlxnen and horses and learning Una
IL
WHAT Tc CATAPRH