The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-06-03

taken GQaG no ureS Sldll Oiedh out.
Even a small fire, it is feared, would
start confagration. Only one street
car line in the city is running tonight
owing to the disabling of the power
plants by the flood.
The railroad yards are blockaded
with trains unable to get out. Not
train has gone out of the city except
to the east today, and it is said that
there is little prospect of an improve
ment.
The stage of the river at 6 O'Clock
tonight was 30 feet, inches. The
previous high record was made in 1881
when the river rose to 26 feet, 3 inch
es. By tomorrow morning, according
to the prediction Of Supt. O'Connor
of the weather bureau, the level will
be 81 feet.
Des Moines, Ia, May 31.-Eight
authenticated fatalities have occurred
in and about this city from the food
and the property loss will amount into
the millions.
At 6 o'clock tonight Des Moines
river had declined IA inches from its
maximum height of "a feet early this
morning. Notwithstanding the steady
rain that has fallen for three days it is
believed danger of further rise is past,
as reports from points above Des
Moines say the river has been falling
for "a hours. The extent Of suffering
among the several thousand food refu-
gees has been reduced to minimum
by the better organization Of relief
work and now they are nearly all free
from extreme suffering.
The few remaining leyees will hold
the river, which is said to be from
half mile to two miles wide, howev-
er, effectually cutting off communica-
tion between the main part of Des
Moines from east, north and south.
The police report that thieves in boats
are plundering stocks Of merchandise
in the business district to an alarming
extent and several arrests have been
made. One officer had battle with a
robber who escaped. Neither was
wounded.
Not q wheel is turning in the fac
tory district and no effort is made to
open business houses. The Great
Western, Wabash and Burlington, roads
have completely abandoned their lines
in his city and the Northwestern Rock
Island and st. Paul roads are very
badly crippled. The water and electric
light and power plants are still run
ming, but it is only by the employ
ment of several hundred men to man
pumps and work on the levees. For
over two days it has rained constantly
and the mercury has stood close to the
freezing point. Scores of men women
and children have spent hours at a
time in soaking wet garments sitting
on the roofs of their houses awaiting
the arrival of rescaers. The last of
these was removed at 10 O'Clock.
More fatalities will result from ex-
posure than from drowning. The
! property loss will amount up into the
millions.
This afternoon the relief authorities
announced that they were confronted
with a food and fuel famine. Meat
markets all over the city declare they
have only two or three days stock on
hand. There is no train entering the
city and no pospcet of getting ship
ment of freight into Des Moines in
less than three or four days. There
is only meagre coal supply and the
light and power plant and the water
works have an insufficient supply.
Notice was sent to every resident IN
the city to draw an extra supply Of
water to provide against the closing OF
the plant.