The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1903-06-19
failed to convince them and most Of
them fled without any effort to save

them fled without any effort to save
property.
Messengers were sent to the main
portion Of the city telling OF the dam
ger and the greatest excitement pre-
vailed. AS the bottoms filled and the
river gained 4 larger entrance the
terror in the business section Of the
city grew intense 1t was all the
greater because Of the darkness and
fear that while guard was maintained
in one direction the torrent would
break through at another point and
engulf the luckless inhabitants tie
tween two floods. BY the thousands
they began to desert their homes and
run vainly up and down the streets
seeking a place of succOr
FLEE IN sCANT ATTIRE.
Hundreds Of families from the
choicest residence portions Of the city
carrying trunks, grips, bundles Of
clothing and valuablcS began to cross
Eads bridge towards ST. Louis. Most
OF the refugees were scantily clad. .
Strong men carried aged women in
their arms. BarcfUotcd children were
in the procession which continued
steadily over tho bridge. Hundreds
of others sought protection In the
second story OF the public library
building. AS the water encroachcd
about many dashed through the shal-
low overflow to find Il more secure re-
fugc. In terror Of the rising tide of
water refugees in hundreds thronged
the streets crowded the cars and be-
sought spublic officials. At tho city
hall alone, 500 homeless persons with
scant belongings as they had been
able to seize on short notice were as
scmblcd. Provisions for tic time be-
ing were supplied them.
business is totally suspended The
streets are filled with almost panic-
stricken inhabitan Women with
childrcn III arms, men carrying house
hold furniture, horses, dogs and other
remains OF once comfortable domestic
establishments parade the streets,
The common direction of all move
mcnt is toward the bridge over which
the refugees are hurrying to St. Louis.
All traffic to East St. Louis from the
west side has been suspended aud
policemen turned back all wlio at
tempted the trip.
DEAD NUMBER THIRTY.
Ats o'clock Wednesday Congress-
man w. A. Rodcnburg estimated that
| thirty lives were lost on the flooding of
The lower portions OF East St. Louis
carly that morning While general
alarms we're given by the police and
retrcating levce workers with shouts
and pistols there was not time to call
at every house in the thickly settled
district and it is believed many fami-
lies in iirSt story cottages ;lwokc only
when it was too late to escape. Lcyce
workcrs'who laid down to rest on en-
b1nkmcnts worn out with hard labor
were caught and drowned by flood
like rats. 1t may never be learned
how many died In. this way. .s5,a -. = !: -
3{AlnOng THE, y drowned "Wednesday
night previous to the break in the
Illinois Central lcvec was Il. u Sher-
wood and John Collish and three chill
dren. They lost their lives by The
ovcrturning Of Il boat in the northern
part Of the city. A negro was drown
cd at 8 O'Clock Thursday morning in
the waters which are climbing ND the
side Of the cmbankment supporting
broadway East ST. Louis. The man
was trying to get his team to higher
ground and remained in the rising
waters until the swift running cur
rent upset the wagon. The team was
drowned. Everything obtainablc is
being used IN the rescue Of unfortunate
people from the second stories OF
dwellings in the submerged district
ltaftS arc being built, boats improvis-
ed and wagons even arc put into use,
the horses of which founder around
with only their heads above water
while on their crrands Of mercy.
NAVAL MILITIA busy.
The naval militia Of st. Louis and
Alton are on duty. Lieutenant GRAY
commanding the ST. Louis Naval
militia, has his force spread out along
the cmbankmcnt. guarding against
lcvec cutting and dcprcdations hy
hordes Of negroes and buns that are
to be seen everywhere Arms are
stacked at police headquarters where
reputable citizens may obtain carbncs
and ammunitation to guard their prop
crty. A large number or arrests have
been made by tho police who are
iii"tNiiiiiS tiicil ~ ISOIlClS tCTUSS Illc
bridge to st. Louis as there is no
place TO keep them in the Hood city.
The East ST. i!n!lS city Jail is also
being cmptied and tile pi;sG...ors
taken To The -Four Courts in ST. Louis
Tor safety. There is no place in East
st. Louis To feed and pay Off Tile
hundreds Of men who have been at
work strengthening the leyccs about
the city. 1t was found necessary
Thursday morning to march them
over to st. Louis for their meals and
then back again to work.
BROADWAY UNDER WATER.
broadway, running east and west
Through East ST. Louis, divides that
city in two. 1t is built up in places,
standing 10 feet above the surround
ing country. 1t is first thought this
street would serve as a protection to
the northeast half or the city but the
Hood that covers the southern part
has broken through in a small stream
between Sth and 9th street. Should
The cmbankmcntS formed by Broad
way give way as it is threatened it
will send Il wall of water Is feet higher
over the remainder Of the city The
Hooded district in East St. Louis due
/ to the breaking Of the cmbankmcnts
early Thursday morning is one mile
wide south from broadway and four
miles long from east to west. 1t com
priSeS about Onc-fOurth of The city