The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1903-06-11
PARTLY UNDER WATER
iEVEE NEAR EAST ST. LOUIS,
ILL.,, GIVES WAY AND THE
CITY is FLOODED.
At LEAST THIRTY LIVES SACRIFICED
FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE HOME
LESS AND UTMOST CON-
FUSION EXISTS.

st. Louis, June 1.-THE river dur
37.9 feet. the highest point during the
present flood East ST. Louis, with a
population of 80 900, having large man
ufacturing interests and the terminal
point for railroads from the north,
east and south, is partly under water
and will probably be totally submerged.
The southern half of East St. Louis
is deep in the food and the city's
$500 levee builders have fallen back
on Missouri avenue In the attempt to
save the remainder of the city, men
aced by swelling waters from three
sides. Broadway. the central east and
west thoroughfare, has been aban-
doned to the food.
Seven miles of water, pressing from
the south and southeast, oyercame the
city's line of defence shortly before l
a. m and 5000 persons were driven
from their homes.
The utmost confusion reigns and it
Is impossible to confirm any of the re-
ports of drowning, which may aggre-
gate fifty and which will probably be
much less Congressman Rodenburg,
who has charge of the patrol along
Broadway, gives 1t as his estimate
that the number will be about thirty.
The only drownings coming under his
personal observation We're those OF
two women and a man who lost their
lives near his post Of duty.
Numerous drownings are reported
among leveo workers, who were caught
asleep by the food, but their names
are not known.
Ali railroad and wagon communiCa-
tion with East St Louis has been cut
Off. Only a limited number Of peaes
TRANS is allowed to cross the yfdQuct
to East st. I.ouis- Refugees from East
St Louis are allowed to use The Via
duct Telegraph and telephone cCIl-
munication is still intact. although
water has entered the first f0oTs OF
the buildings occupied by telegraph
and telephone the instruments have
been elevated out of it's reach and the
managers say that they will maintain
service to the last.
Efforts to Save Levee Useless.
One thousand men were working on
the part of the levee which broke. For
several hours before the final break
they had the active assistance of hun
dreds of women and children. The
break came at the st. Louis Valley
crossing Of the Illinois Central en-
bankment. two miles south OF the Re
lay depot While as many men, We
men and children as could stand on
tae embanamant were heaping sand
bags between the rails to prevent the
n.enacing waters from mounting over
the top the lcsistlesS current broke
through the lower part of the wall OF
earth and spurte1 in rivulets in the
faces of those who were carrying sand
bags up the bank Pags thrown into
the openings by dozens of men We're
tossed by the waters like feathers.
Then the workers fed from their use
less task and the alarm was given by
the ringing of bells and blowing of
whistles In every part of the city.
few of the workers on the embank-
ment remained at their posts until the
rushing waters made it necessary for
them to swim for their lives. Then
they Joined their companions in warn
ing the residents Of the thickly set
lied district OF their danger.
Awakened families saw the water
In the streets. When they were ready
to leave with their hurriedly collected
stock OF necessities the waters were
at their sills All fed to the north.
The Washington school was the near
est point of safety. Many made for
he high ground near the Illinois Gen.
rel tracks.
Men from Alta Sita and Denver side,
who had been working on the aban-
ioned levee, FASTENED to those local
ties to tell their neighbors OF their
danger. Every locomotive and factory
whistle joined in the clamor CT alarm.