davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05
IMMENSE KANSAS
DISTRICT FLOODED

Manhattan, Kan, June 2--Not since
the Galveston flood has water created
such terrible havoc and wrought such
destruction of lives and property as has
just been experienced in the Kaw val
ley of Kansas. The territory affected
stretches from Brookville. Kansas, to
Kansas City, a district 200 miles long
by from three to fifteen miles in width.
Boatmen who have reached here re-
port many persons missing. Probably
fifty persons were drowned in the coun-
try around here.
Manhattan is in the very center OF
the floods fury. The Blue river from
the north and the Kansas river from
the west, which carries the waters from
Republican. Solomon, Saline and
Smoky rivers, besides several large
creek, meet at the eastern edge OF the
city.
Ten miles of water surround Manhat-
tan in every direction. The high rail-
road banks alone save the city from
being completely submerged and posi-
bly, entirely swept away.
The rain has descended here almost
steadily since Thursday To add to the
calamity, all telegraph and telephone
wires are down and the city is in dark
ness, the electric light plant being
flooded with water.
Men. women and children have been
carried In boats and wagons to the
hills. Those who were unable to secure
transportation waded through water
waist deep. Over 1900 people are
housed in the Kansas Agricultural Col
lege buildings.
Four births were reported to have oc-
CURED during the night. one Of the lit
tie babies being discovered in the en-
gine room.
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05
FLOOD DAMAGES
AT KANSAS CITY

Kansas City, May 31-With the
waters of the Kaw and Missouri river
nearly four feet above the disastrous
level Of 1881. and their swollen tide
spread over twelve square miles of
the city and its suburbs, Kansas City
e tonight enduring the worst food in
its history In the valley o. the Kaw
or Kansas river, between this city and
Kansas City, Kansas, report has it
that a number of lives have been lost.
One report says fourteen and another
fifty, but in the midst of demoraliza-
tion Of traffic and the ordinary means
OF communication, it is impossible to
verify these reports. The financial loss
has been increasing all day and bids
fair to continue. The heaviest loss is
at Armourdale. where the loss to the
packing industry and others is placed
at $2.50O 900.
Argentine, another suburb. has suf-
fered losses estimated at 100000, and
other losses, which cannot now be es-
timated, will increase the total materi-
ally.
Armourdale, with population of
$4,000 people, is deserted, and its site
marked only by the tops Of buildings
and number of fires.
Seven fires, believed to be chiefly
box cars burning. could be seen from
the bluffs tonight. There is some
danger that the flames will spread to
the partially submerged buildings, ad-
ding greatly to the already heavy loss.
The fires started by the intrusion of
the flood into a lime house.
The refugees from Armourdale for
the most part are huddled together in
the immense auditorium of the Con-
venton hall, although several hundred
found havens with friends in more for
tunate parts of the city. All bridges
over the Kaw river are down, and the
only communication with Armourdale
is by boat.
Kansas City is tonight without
water supply, the flood having disabled
the pumping station, and the utmost
care is taken that no fires shall break
out Only one street car line in the
city is running tonight. owing to the
disabling Of the power plants by the
flood.
Not a train has gone out of the city
except East to-day
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05
Texas Cattle Losses.

Amarillo. Texas, May 30.-The enor-
nifty of the cattle losses in the Pan
handle, caused by the terrible blizzard
tht swept over that section last Feb
ruary, is being realized by stockmen,
who have completed the spring round
ups. It is estimated that nearly half a
million cattle were killed in the Texas
Panhandle during the past winter
most of them dying in the February
blizzard AS an evidence Of these
enormous losses, the railroad reports
show that 100000 COW hides have been
shipped this month from Hereford and
10000 hides have been shipped from
Amarillo. The shipments from other
scattered points aggregate more than
200 900 hides
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05
TOPEKA SCOURGED BY AN AWFUL
CALAMITY OF FLAMES AND FLOOD

Topeka, kas., May 31-While the
hundreds of drenched and shivering
denizens of North Topeka were Gagged
in the upper floors of the homes or on
roofs throughout the flooded sections
yesterday, flames broke out and spread
rapidly. Many were burned before
,iriven to suicide by drowning when
threatened with cremation. The loss
Of life is at least 200. Blazing buildings
tlOated against others, setting them on
fire, and when the tale Of horror
stopped coming over the wires this
morning indications were that all
buildings not destroyed by the flood
would be eaten by flames.
North Topeka has 10000 inhabitants
and contained all large mills and fac
tories in the city. hence the loss will
run into millions.
The loss OF life has already been ap-
palling and promises to grow. Con-
servative estimates place the deaths
by drowning and fire at $50, with 800
to 400 more in imminent peril.
Topeka, Kan. May 30.-People who
did not leave North Topeka last night
when they had 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
rescuers. The Kansas river is rising
at the rate Of three inches an hour
Thisty are known to be dead. and the
list will be much larger. Hundreds
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05
KANSAS CITY SUFFERS VERY
GREAT DAMAGE FROM FLOOD

Kansas City. Mo. June With gas
and electric lights extinguished. the
water works shut down. and the city
practically at the mercy of the first
fire that shall break out; with railroad
Transportation feeble and uncertain,
Kansas City may. if the waters do not
recede within the next two or three
days, be compelled to fight for her very
life.
And tonight the skies are dark and
lowering. the rain is falling heavily
more stormy weather is sweeping up
from the west. and the Unsuitable river
is holding its own 1t is practically
stationary tonight. but what the food
has it keeps. and there is no certain
promise of when it will recede. The
stage tonight is 34.3 against 35 feet
this morning.
Chief Connor of the weather bureau
says that while the outlook was for
continued rains. it would necesstate a
very heavy fall if the present high wa
ter is to continue. and whether this will
come or not is something he cannot
tell
The first authentic information from
AdIsdS Nlls, hdLSdS- was ltttiFtu W
night. In that district 10000 people
are homeless.
A number which cannot be estimated
have been drowned and the property
loss has been heavy The situation
there is parallel to the situation here,
apparently no better and no worse
There is no great probability that there
will be further loss of life if the river
ric
1t is likely that the number of IA
talities in the city will approximate
fifty. Down in the wholesale district
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05
PRESIDENT TALKS
TO RAILROAD MEN

Pocatello, Idaho, May 30.-President
Roosevelt re-entered Idaho Thursday
morning and received a warm welcome
here. His train was met several miles
outside of town by band of Indians
from the Blackfoot reservation, who
raced alongside Of it into Pocatello
The President was met at the depot by
large crowd and escorted by cowboys
and Indians he was driven to a stand
up town, wk>re he delivered an ad-
dess. saying:
This is a railroad town. I have been
and am now on trip during which,
on every day and during every hour
my safety and well being depends alb
solutely upon the vigilance. skill, nerve
and fidelity of the railroad men, and |
would like to sa! special word 20 and
about them this morning. The last
time l saw General Sherman he told
me that if there ever was a war and he
were limited to choosing men of one
occupation, he would take all his SOL
diers from among the railroad men. be-
cause railroad man has to develop
four of five of the qualities indispensa-
BILE in soldier. In the first place ca
pacity to face risk undaunted. Rail-
roading is one Of these professions
which, like following the deep sea
fisheries, necessarily implies the ac-
ceptance of risk and danger In the
next place, the man has not only
learned to endure risk, but to face
hardships.
More than that, they have to face
irregular hours. Any one who has ever
done any soldering knows that one of
the difficulties to be overcome by the
average man is to make him under
stand that he is not to sleep every
night. but just when the chance comes.
The railroad man knows that already
Finally, and most important of all. the
railroad man has learned two things
He has learned how to act on his own
responsibility in time of emergency
how to himself take the lead If the
need arises and also how to obey Or
ders, and obey them quickly.
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05
TEN THOUSAND KANSAS PEOPLE
ARE DRIVEN OUT BY FLOODS

Topeka. Kan, May 29.-The high wa
ter at II O'Clock tonight has surround
ed the whole of North Topeka, and
hundreds OF houses are deserted. Peo-
pie are moving out from that part of
town as fast as possible. and great dis
tress prevails. At this time nearly g.
900 are homeless
1t will be necessary for every inhab-
liant of the North Side to leave there
by morning, and this will leave over
lU,OOO people without homes.
The people south of the river are
trying hard to take care of the flood
refugees. The court house, state house
and other buildings have been opened
Tor their reception and a fund started
for their relief.
The water plant is being worked un-
der great difficulties. and it is feared
that by tomorrow this will have to be
abandoned. If this is the case, the en-
tire city will be without fire protec-
ton.
Railroad traffic in this city is prac-
tically at a standstill on account OF the
floods. The Rock Island and Union Pa
enc are not running any trains, while
the Santa Fe runs only to Emporia
and the Missouri Pacific to Fort Scott.
The flood situation is the worst ever
known in the state
The condition in Little Russia" the
Russian settlement in North Topeka,
is serious The entire settlement is
under water, and a current has started
through the district. Fear is ex-
pressed that the channel of the river
may change. Several houses already are
twisted on their foundations, and they
probably will collapse. Every family
has had its household goods damaged,
and some have lost everything
Reports from Wamego and other
points up the river say a great volume
of water is coming this way Wamego
reports rise of two feet in the blue
and three feet in the Republican rivers.
This will reach Topeka by morning
and the large Melan arch bridge will
have great difficulty in holding its own.
For six hours to-day the flood
plowed like river through Abilene,
filling 200 cellars and driving 100 fami-
lies TO places of refuge. The Rock Is
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05
Holds Court on the Prairie,

Denver, May 30.-A Republican spe-
cial from Delta lost night says
On the prairie just inside the line
between Delta and MOntrose counties,
Justice of the Peace F. l.. Fairlamp Of
Delta to-day convened court and tried
Jack Mccarthy, the child-beater who
was tarred and feathered and driven
from the county, on a charge of live
the District Court under $500 bond.
The sheriff tagged the eastbound train,
which arrived Immediately after the
preliminary hearing had been conclud-
ed, and Mccarthy was taken to the
Gunniscn county Jail in order to be
kept out of reach of Delta county
mob
Since the prosecution of Mccarthy on
a charge of assault to kill his son.
whose arm he broke with a club. was
withdrawn and he was allowed to leave
the country upon deciding his farm to
his wife and children fortnight ago,
the charge of stealing a calf was pre-
ferred against him by Burt Nutting,
neghbor.
Mccarthy, who went to work in the
mines near Telluride after his expul-
sion from Montrose, where he had been
kept in Jail to avoid lynching, which
was threatened if he was brought to
Delta, ventured back to Montrose be-
cause a creditor had attached a horse
which he had there. 1t was reported
that he had started with the intention
of coming to Delta and killing some of
the persons who had tarred and feath-
cred him, also of burning this town.
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05
PRESIDENT GREATLY ENJOYS THE
WILD WEST SHOW AT CHEYENNE

Cheyenne. Wyo, June 2.-There was
certainly joy uncontined at Frontier
park yesterday morning when Presi-
dent Roosevelt was given his farewell
entertainment by the cowboys of Wy
oming. Ten thousand people filled the
grandstands and overtlowed onto the
track. All Cheyenne shut up shop to
go out and see the chief executive of
the Nation witness some of the cow
mems dongs like those in which he
used to indulge, The widest of outlaws
from the horse ranges of Wyoming
were dragged into the arena and rid
den to a finish; savage looking steers,
almost crazy with fright and rage,
were skillfully roped and subdued and
even ridden. There was a cowgirl race,
wild horse race. steeplechase and
enough general fun to give one a con-
tinual side ache with cheering and
laughing.
President Roosevelt took to the sport
like a schoolboy. He hung over the
railing of the little stand where he and
the members of his party were placed.
and yelled and shouted with glee and
admiration over the bravery of the
staiWaFts III cnapS ana spurs VINO
swarmed the arena. bringing all kinds
Of wild four-legged beasts to subsection
He shouted congratulations and joshes
by turns to the fellows who did the per-
forming and pranced around the stand
with delight when the sport by turns
grew fast, furious and hilarious. There
was something doing every minute
Now it was the wild antics of buck
ing broncho and now it was man striv-
ing against horse in a stake race or a
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05

people at dusk tonight were waving
white cloths to attract attention. The
condition of some of these is pitiable.
They have been held prisoners for two
days, threatened with death by drown
ing at one time, by fire at another and
for the most part without food. Every
effort is being made and they all will
be saved tomorrow, unless the water
rises more. and this seems improbable.
Financial damage is about as great
now as 1t is likely to become. unless the
water rises much higher than at pres
ent
Tonight the city is in absolute dark
ness There is not the glimmer OF a
gas jet or the flare of an electric light.
the buildings which have their own
electric light plants excepted. Steam
for these is supplied from water hauled
from the river.
Power for the three street car lines
that have resumed operations is fur
nished by water pipes from small
stream in one of the valleys.
In all the buildings in the city ele-
vators have been discontinued unless
provision has been made for furnishing
water.
The newspapers have been compelled
to discontinue the use of their typeset-
ting machines and because of lack or
power are "sticking' type in the good
old way.
In the hotels, all of which are crowd
ed to their utmost capacity. the most
elaborate care is taken to prevent the
waste of water.
So far as rail communication is con-
cerned the city is almost an island.
The only communication. and that
very uncertain, is by road running
southeast
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05
Moffat Road in Grand County.

Denver, May 3O.-The State Land
Board has granted to the Moffat Rail-
way Company right of way through
section 80 of township l north, range
76 west In Grand county The right Of
way is 200 feet wide. This move Of
the railway people is good news to the
residents and property owners of Hot
Sulphur Springs, as it strongly indi-
Gates that the new road will be bull,
to that place. If this is done the limo
will follow the course of the Fraser
river. which is tributary to the Grand.
The company experienced some trou-
BILE in securing right of way over
county land. but this is reported az
having been satisfactorily acquired.
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05
SUFFERING at Des Moines.

Des Moines, June 1.-Yesterday
afternoon the relief authorities an
nOunced that they were confronted
with food and fuel famine. Meat
markets all over the city declare they
have but two or three days stock on
hand. There are no trains entering
the city and no prospect of getting a
shipment of freight into Des Moines
in less than three or four days. Baker
les are overtaxed by reason of the de-
mand OF the 5000 food refugees
through the relief association.
The temperature Of the past three
days has been such as to cause great
suffering and to threaten great loss of
life through exposure.
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05
FEARFUL LOSS BY
GEORGIA TORNADO

Gainesville. Ga. June 2.-Just after
the noon hour yesterday the city was
struck by a terrific cyclone, killing
probably 100 persons, unrooting the
City hotel, other large buildings and
destroying the Gainesville cotton mills
The greatest loss of life is reported
in the district of the cotton mills, where
about eighty people are reported killed
and scores injured.
Eighteen persons were killed in the
city between the center of the townAnd
the railroad station. where four large
stores were blown down
The storm had driven in many per-
sons at work around the cotton mill
when the cyclone struck. The mill was
a three-story building. The first story
was left standing, but badly wrecked
the second and third floors were COM
pletely demolished and the employees
were caught under the .wreckage and
mangled.
1t is estimated that there are at least
seventy-five bodies under the wreckage
of the third floor. and it is not known
how many persons on the second floor
OF the building were killed. The roof
of the electric car barn was lifted and
the building badly damaged,
Nearly every cmploye in the Gaines
vile cotton mills was killed, including
a large number of children,
The southern depot was blown to
pieces.
The Gainesville Iron Works were de-
molished and several people pershed
In the wreck
The Gainesville cotton oil mills were
blown down. The old Piedmont hotel,
now used as a school and apartment
house, was razed and half dozen or
more people were killed in it.
The Richmond hotel was wrecked
and several perished along with it.
One hundred and twenty-five cot
tages. a school house and church
were blown away in the negro section
of the city.
OF the killed probably two-thirds
were women and children who were
operatives in the cotton mills. The
death list includes only about six ne
groes.
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05

land. Union Pacific and Santa Fe tracks
are washed away, and two lumber
yards burned from the contact OF lime
and water Nearly all the business
houses are flooded. Scores of people
We're rescued in boats to-day, after
having spent a whole night in trees.
Merchants are all moving their stocks
to higher places, but it is generally be-
lieved that the worst is over.
| Salina, Kan. May 29.-This has been
a day long to be remembered by the
| inhabitants of this city. From early
morning until late tonight all has
been confusion, with business of alb
kinds practically suspended. Tonight
the city is in darkness. with the excep-
ton of few dimly-lighted residences
on the higher grounds, or lanterns
swinging from the bows of boats as
they make their way through the flood
ed district on their trips of rescue.
Abilene, Kan. May 29.-The flood
waters from Mud creek, swollen by a
twelve-hour rain. swept through this
city last night. doing damage estimated
at 100000 Chapman, Solomon and
Talmage, nearby towns, Jared equally
as bad as Abilene, and the loss to the
county is tremendous. Abilene has no
water, light, postoffice service or
newspapers. The damage here is esu-
waited at about 500 900
The water in the principal streets OF
Abilene was four feet deep A three
story brick building containing the
stores of Minck & Taylor. Lloyds and
Mrs. Clark. the Allen Commercial Col
J lege and several offices COLLAPSED to q
heap. They had been weakened by the
high water and several other buildings
are in dangerous condition.
The pressrOoms of the three newspa-
pers and the basement of Cases depart
ment store are under water. The I'm
ion Pacific, Santa Fe anI Rock Island
| tracks entering the city have been
washed away and 200 houses are sub
merged, scores of families having fed
to higher ground. Rice, Johnston &
Nicolay's lumber yard caught fire from
lime and was destroyed. Loss $4,000.
On the Smoky Hill bottoms 10000
acres are under water and persons are
being rescued in boats.
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05
PRESIDENT ROOsEVELT'S RIDE
FROM LARAMIE TO CHEYENNE

Cheyenne, Wyo.. May 31.-Over tie
old Black k-Hills-Laramie trail on tn
fastest and finest saddle horses tn
Wyoming could provide, Preside
Roosevelt rode yesterday the six
miles between Laramie and Cheyeuu-
The day that has been to Preside Dr.
Roosevelt the most enjoyable of /
trip was begun early. for at 7:3O t.
special train pulled into the depot a'
Laramie and the activity of a day tn,
will live in history was commenced.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive FIR
men presented the President with a
silver spoon, appropriately inscribef
The President shook the hand of eacg
of the veterans drawn up in line an
then entered a carriage and enjoyed a
tWenty-minute drive over the city. The
university was reached at Sis. From
the west entrance he reviewed the
Spanish War veterans, the Grand Arm =
and the University Cadets.
Mayor Miller introduced the Pres
dent who talked about twenty minutes
mentioning the time he was in the ca
tie business in Wyoming and thankiu4
the firemen for their gift.
At the conclusion of the address EJ
passed through the building to thr
east steps. Senator Warren, in behalt
of the citizens of Cheyenne. presenteI
him the $400 saddle which had been
placed on Gray Eagle, beautiful graz
horse. The President mounted the an
tmal and gallOped away to the east-
ward. Thornburg and Second streets
were traversed and soon the party was
lost to view on the Laramie Dlaius In
the party were Senator Warren, Sur
geon General RiXey, Otto Gramm, n
X. Boswell Marshall Hadsell. DEPUTY
La Fors, w. W. Daley, A. G. Porter
DR.. Amos Barber, John Ernest, w. L.
Park and Captain Seth Bullock
The first relay station at Tie City
ten miles on the Cheyenne Pass road
was reached about an hour later
The Grit-advocate., 1903-06-05

are missing. People are drowning and
others are burning to death
If any portion of North Topeka es-
capes destruction by the flood. it seems
tonight as though fire would finish the
work. The large lumber yard of JON
athan Thomas caught fire this after
noon, and whole blocks of houses are
burned. Burning houses are floating
through the streets and setting fire to
others.
There is no possible way of quench-
ing the flames. Aside from the fact
that the loss of life will be appalling,
the property loss will be $4,000, 900 or
more. Nobody can tell just what has
been destroyed The water extends
around Shorey and other suburbs.
Two hundred houses have burned
and the whole of North Topeka will go
Topeka, Kan, June 1.-Briefy stated
the present condition of the flood Is
this: One hundred and seventy to two
hundred people drowned Eight thou
sand people without homes. Four mill
ion dollars loss Of property destroyed.
Identified dead, live. Floating bodies
seen, twenty. People missing, 200.
Houses burned. as result Of fire in
lumber yard from slaking lime, proba-
bly, 200. Banks collapsed. two. Whole
sale grocery stores flooded two. Big
business blocks almost ready to crum-
Bile, 80. Wholesale commission houses
deserted, six. Rock Island trains con-
tanning $50 passengers held here by
high water. City water works plant
useless