The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-12

could show that they were sure Of being
taken care Of by friends they We're turned
back. 40
Newspaper photographers and persons
with small cameras were dealt with uncere-
moniously.
Guns were given to guards by the may
or to patrol the streets where furniture is
stacked and to patrol the sand bag levees.
Any thieves or levee cutters are to be
shot down instantly. Martial law has not
fbeen proclaimed officially, but East st.
Louis is practically being governed under
such condition during the flood and there
/ is no place for INSCRIPTIONS persons.
SHOT DEAD ON THE LEvEE.
A few hours before the break in the
levee early today Ned Roberts, a negro
employed as levee builder, was killed by
one Of the levee guards in the act of
trying to tear down part Of the dixie
Hic act was caused by anger because he
was not allowed to draw his pay at once.
When the break occurred warnings were
first sent through the Dexter section by
messengers, who discharged firearms blew
horns and shouted the news of tfe food g
arrival. Lights cleaned in houses where
the occupants had retired in confidence
that the entertainments would hold, Per
sons, soon, scantily attired, emerged from
their homes and in a few moments the
whole pOpulace of the low districts, six
miles in area. were fleeing to higher
ground. Nothing from the neighborhood
was heard. the fight at first rapid re-
treat with no semblance of order assumed
a panic stage. All efforts to convince The
inhabitants that there was sufficient time
to escape unless gap was washed through
the embankment failed to calm them,
and most Of them fled without any effort
to save property.
PANIC IN THE NIGHT.
Messengers were sent to the main por-
ton fthe city telling of the danger from
the new point of attack, and the greatest
excitement prevailed AS the bottoms
filed and the river gained a larger en-.
trance, the terror in the business section
OF the city grew intense. It was all the
greater because of the darkness and the
fear that while a guard was maintained
in one direction the torrent would break
through at another point and engulf The
luckless inhabitants between two floods.
BY the thousands they began to desert
their homes and run vainly up and down
the streets seeking a place of succor.
Hundreds of families from the choicest
residence portions of the city carrying
trunks, grips, bundles OF clothing and val
uables, began to cross Eads bridge to-
ward st. Louis
Most of the refugees we're scantily at
tired Strong men carried aged women in
their arms, followed by women with
babies Barefooted children were in Tie
procession, which continued steadily over
the bridge. Hundreds of others sought
protection in the second story of the pub
lie library building
THINKS THIRTY LIVES LOST.
Congressman Rodenburg estimates that
thirty lives were lost in the flooding of
the lower portion of East st. Louis early
this morning While general alarms were
given by the police and retreating leyee
workers with shouts and pistols there
was not time to call at every house in
the thickly settled district, and it is be-
ieved many families in one story cot
tages awoke only when it was too late t.
escape.
1t is estimated that 10000 inhabitants
are affected by the district already flooded,
and that 500 to 600 are Immediately in
danger from the rising food.
The police pressed into service al who
were seen lettering about and these men
we're set to work building fiat boats and
RATS and assisting in handling the skiffs
already in service.