The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-10
EAST ST. LOUIS
ISIMUNOATEO.
Continued From Page One.)
CONFUSION REIGNS.

The utmost confusion reigns in East
st. Louis and II Is impossible to confirm
any OF the reports OF drowning which
may aggregate fifty and which probably
will be much less. Congressman Roden-
berg, who has charge OF the patrol along
Broadway, which cuts the town In two.
east and west and leads to the Fad s
bridge, gives IT as his opinion that the
number Will be about 80. The only drown
ings coming under his personal observa-
tion were those OF two women and n man
who lost their lives near his post Of duty.
Numerous drownings are reported
among levee workers. who were caught
asleep by the food. but their number Is
not known.
COMMUNICATION CUT OFF.
All railroad and wagon communication
with East st. Louis has been cut OF.
Only a limited number Of pedestrians
are allowed to cross the viaduct to East
st. Louis. Refugees from East st. Louis
are allowed TO use the viaduct. Telegraph
and telephone communication is still In
tact. Although water has entered the
first floors Of the buildings occupied by
the telegraph and telephone companies,
the instruments have been elevated out
Of Its reach and the managers say they
Will maintain service to the last.
PEOPLE IN PANIC.
AS the noise OF the approaching food
was heard, the fight Of the fugitives who
had been aroused by the warnings. be-
came panic All efforts to assure the
inhabitants that there was sufficient timc
TO escape failed to convince them and
most OF them fed without any effort to
save property.
BY the thousands they began to desert
their homes and run vainiy up and down
the streets seeking a place or succor,
Thousands of families from the choicest
residence portion OF the city carrying
trunks, grips bundles Of clothing and
valuables, began TO cross Ead's bridge to-
ward St Louis Hundreds of others
sought protection I'm the second story Of
the public library building. As the water
encroached about II many dashed
through the shallow overflow to find a
more sure refuge.
In terror OF the rising tide OF water.
refugees I'm hundreds thronged the
streets, crowded the cars and besought
public officials for aid. In the city hall
alone 800 homeless persons with such
scant belongings "a they had been able
10 seize on short notice were assembled.
Provisions for the time being were sup
piled them and they were made as COM
Portable as possible In the auditorium on
the third floor.
BUSINESS SUSPENDED.
Business I'm East St Louis is totally
suspended and the streets are filled with
the panic-stricken Inhabitants OF the in
vaded districts. The common direction OF
all movement Is toward the Ead's bridge.
At sunrise the bridge was practically
the only means OF crossing the river open
60 the throng.
All traffic 10 East Sc. Louis from the
west side was suspended and policemen
turned back all who attempted the trip.
The Cahokia creek viaduct is In n pre-
carious condition and IL not expected 10
stand long.
WEATHER BUREAUS BULLETIN.
Washington. June f0.-The weather bu-
reau issued the following regarding the
food situation this morning.
The river AZ 81. Louis has risen slightly
during the past "a hours Go SO feet.
where II T. now stationary. The rise was
evidently due TO the fact that fresh
northerly winds had temporarily increas-
ed the rate OF flow and the decline should
begin today. The stage az Cairo was AZ
feet. rise OF 07 foot. and further
slight rise r. expected during the next
two days.
The rise will continue below Cairo but
will not be OF serious nature