The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-10
Illinois Central and other Embank-
ments Torn Away by the SwOl-
len Mississippi.
MANY LIVES IN JEOPARDY
INHABITANTS EXCITED AND FLEEING
FROM THE TORRENT.
Water Rushing Through the Streets
at 2.1O a. m.-AbOut Five Thou
sand Houses Flooded.

ST. LOUIS, June 10.-Shortly after mid.
the Valley Railroad crossing in East St
Louis was washed through and the entire
lower portion of East ST. Louis was flood
ed About 5000 homes were deluged. The
people are greatly excited and at L O'Clock
began building a dixie on Broadway In an
effort to keep the water from the other por.
tions of the city.
Word was received here at 2:10 o'clock
that the water is rushing into East ST.
Louis from the south side in torrent and
people are fleeing for their lives. The
heavy pressure that tore away the Illinois
Central embankments swept other bar
riers aside and flowed on in a torrent into
the southern portion of the city. There
Is no means of communication except by
telephone, and the excitement is so great
that little can be learned The business
portion of the city is from two to six feet
below the flood level and If the water
pours through the streets the property loss
will be heavy and many lives probably will
be lost.
A report has been current all day that
nine persons were drowned by the capsiz-
ing of a boat near the Madison railroad
depot to-day, but despite all efforts this
report has not been confirmed.
1t is estimated that eight thousand refu-
N and
vicinity People remaining in their flooded
houses In the inundated districts are be-
ing furnished v'ith food as rapidly as pos
sible 1t is estimated that four thousand
people are still living in flooded homes in
Granite City, Venice and Madison. A sup
ply boat has oeen outfitted and will daily
make trips to relieve suffering.
The viaduct leading from East ST. Louis
to Eads bridge was ordered closed to-day
as the water has. it is believed, weakened
the abutments and rendered the bridge
dangerous. The viaduct Is the only pres
ent connection between East st. Louis and
st. Louis. Trains crossing Eads bridge
must stop at the relay station and pas
sengers are taken by boat to land and
transported to places where waiting trains
can be boarded for the resumption of their
journey.
Reports are constantly being received
that river thieves are continuing TO loot
submerged houses of the three stricken
cities north of East ST. Louis. Reports
received indicate that both the Missouri
MISSISSIPPI
here and the present rise cannot be main
tanned for very long period.
All trains to and from eastern points are
leavins. on the east side of the river, the
Chicago & Alton, the Big Four and the
Burlington from Alton. while all other
lines now actively operating are depart
ing from and arriving at East St Louis.
with the exception of the Wabash and the
St. Louis Toledo G. Western. Boats run
to Alton from the foot of Vine street at
a. m and p. m, with passengers for the
East and North.
The ST. Louis, Toledo & Western and the
Wabash have made Edwardsville ILL.,. six
teen miles east of ST. Louis. the present
passenger terminal. The street cars run
direct from East st. Louis to Edwardsville.
where trains TO Chicago and all Eastern
cities are running close TO schedule time
On the west side Of the river the situa-
tion Is better and while all trains
I'm operation are arriving at the Union
Station. the service between st. Louis and
Western points Is not normal The Alton
and Burlington routes are sending their
business via other roads. There is no serv-
ice over the Burlington from st. Louis to
points north-Louisiana, Hannibal. Quincy
or Keohuk.
II is thought that all OF the railroads
combined have thus far suffered a total loss
OF $soo0.ooo