The Saint Paul globe., 1903-06-02
LATEST FROM TOPEKA
Continued From First Page.

Gabriel lumber yards while that struc-
ture was burning. The current swept
them directly into the flames.
A reporter saw two men plunge from
house just south of the burning
yards about the same time Saturday
afternoon. They disappeared under
the muddy water.
Watchers on the east approach of
the old Sardou avenue bridge saw four
persons fall from the trees into the
water.
An unknown girl was taken from a
house late Saturday night. She was
chilled and numbed from exposure, and
died soon.
Milton Holt saw a woman swept
down the river and drowned Satur-
day.
Another woman who was about to be
rescued slipped from the roof before
the boat could get to her. Some of
these reports are thought to be du-
plicates.
The distress of the sufferers is be-
Ing alleviated. Those who are still in
North Topeka are receiving food and
are in no danger unless 1t be from
sickness.
Epidemics Seem Certain.
There is a possibility that there will
be a spread of contagious diseases.
People of all classes are huddled to-
gether IN house not large enough for
them, and on all sides they are sur
rounded by water. Doctors and med
tcal relief cannot reach many suffer-
ers. This afternoon a case of diph-
liberia was reported from the Woolen
mill in North Topeka, where there are
large number of children. There is
also a case or two of scarlet fever
among the refugees on the North side.
Hundreds of cases of measles are
prevalent among the children, who are
exposed to cold and dampness
The possibility of an epidemic is the
most serious thing the city must con-
tend with. The physicians of the city,
under the direction of the city health
board, are making heroic efforts to
check the threatened calamity. In this
work they are well aided by the health
boards Of the state and county.
An emergency board of health has
been appointed by the mayor to CO.
operate with the city physician in
Quelling the disease which will result
from the flood. The board organized,
electing DR.. L. Y. Grubbs president.
DR.. Grubbs says that the sanitary
condition of North Topeka will be such
that the place will not be fit to be in
habited for some months to come.
Food Becomes Scarce.
Provisions of all sorts are becoming
scarce III topeka. NO freight trains
have entered the city for several days.
and large quantity of groceries We're
destroyed in North Topeka. There will
not be enough for the people to eat
If this situation lasts much longer. It
is charged that certain of the mer-
chants have formed a combination to
control prices on provisions.
A prominent miller said today: 1--WE
do not intend, and have never intend
ed, to raise the price of -four, no mat
ter what the grocers are thinking of
doing. We do not wish to make any
money out Of a calamity"
1t is reported that a local commits
sion firm bought up all the potatoes in
town last Saturday and advanced the
price so cents bushel.
1t will be at least a week before
freight trains from the East can en-
ter Topeka, and perhaps longer. An
effort will be made to secure a stock of
provisions from the smaller town to
the south.
A Rock Island relief train reached
North Topeka last night in the vicinity
of the reform school. The train brought
sixty boats and two steam launches.
Boatmen are doing splendid work in
taking flood victims to places of safety.
A long train of Rock Island passen-
ger coaches was also brought, and in
these the people are taking shelter.