The Penn's Grove record., 1903-06-05

Topeka Physicians Fear a scourge 3
Disease.

tErsk 4
disease.
Topeka, Kan.-The water in the Kan
sas Riveriis subsiding, and while prac-
tically all of North Topeka is still up-
der water the werst of the flood situa-
tion is over and the work of rescue is
now going forward rapidly. One thou
sand tents will be erected outside the
city for the refugees from North To.
peka, and they may have to remain in
this camp for several months, al Presi-
dent Il. Y. Grubbs, of the Board Of
Health, says that-even@aftersthe water
recedes the sanitary. condition of North
Topeka will be such that it cannot be
inhabited for several months.
The recession of the food has en-
abled the authorities to make a can
vass of the damage done, and they re-
port that the belief that nearly 200 had
persisted in the food was erroneous.
The known dead number thirty-four,
and the city authorities do not believe
that this number will be largely in
creased.
The distress Of the sufferers is being
relieved. Those who are still in North
Topeka are being supplied with food
and they are in practically no danger
unless it be from sickness.
One of the most distressing features
Of the situation nov issthe possibility
that there win be a spread Of Aconta-
| gi0uss Diseases. Gases Of diphtheria and
scarlet fever are repaired among the
refugees. Hundreds sof cases OF
measles are prevalent among the chill
dren, and, on account of the exposed
condition of the patients. will result IA
tally in many cases
The possibility of an epidemic is now
the most serious thing the city must
contend with. An emergency Board OF
Health has been appointed by the
Mayor. to cooperate with the city ply.
stefan in quelling the disease which
win result from the flood. The board
organized, electing DIR. I. Y. Grubbs
president.
Provisions Of all sorts are becoming
scarcein Topeka. 9 /
"A sad feature of the situation is the
tendency of thieves to loot buildings
They go in by RATS and boats away
out in the suburbs where the homes arr
abandoned. The police have orders tt
shoot such marauders on sight.
It is estimated that the loss In tht
residence part of North Topeka viii
reach 100000, in addition to the loss
to the Santa Fe, Rock Island and Unio1
Pacific railways, which will aggregate
100000. The loss to the Topeka Street
Railway Company willperhaps be SIS,
600. The loss to the business district
is believed to be something nor thar
| ST. 900, 900. I
President Roosevelt telegraphed tt
Governor Bailey. offering assistance OF
! the Federal authorities, If needed, al
| follows:
.Cheyenne. Wyo.-I am inexpressibly
| shocked at reports of dreadful calamity
that has befallen Topeka. If there is
anything the Federal authorities car
do, of course, let me know.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Large contributions have already
been received for the benefit of the suf.
ferers. The amount given by Topeka
citizens alone will aggregate 100000
To this is to be added al immense
quantity of clothing, provisions and
| general supplies. Outside towns have
generously offered aid, notable among
which is Galveston, Texas.
The first effective rescue work began
soon after daylight when nine boats. ar.
rived from Ottawa on a special train,
and they were put into active service
lat once.
Soon after reports of drowning began
to come in. A boat containing eight
men engaged in rescue work was swept
away in the swift current. AS far as
known all were drowned. A boat con.
tanning two men was capsized. The
boats were too frail to live in the
whirling waters. More boats arrived
from Emporia and hurry messages
We're sent to other towns for more.
1t was soon recognized that rowboats
would be of no use in battling with the
! currents. Steam launches must be Sc