The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-31

Der OF refugees are Russians. Italians and
many others. A number OF these are II
ficted with contagious diseases. but It ie
E impossible to enforce any quarantine re-
gions. The physicians q the city say
that an epidemic of sickness OF all,
kinds may be looked for. quarantine OH.
GERS are lost sight of by the rescuers.
BUSINESS SUSPENDED
Business In Topeka is practically at q
standstil. The flood and the sufferers
took the attention Of every one. to the
exclusion of all else. An army of men
was engaged in the relief work. and It!
would be idle to attempt to place IN es-
Innate on the immense number rescued
by their efforts. Fire Chief Wilmarth
was In boat which came near being
swamped. When his boat struck the
swift current under the Tenth Avenue
bridge it was jerked loose from the hold
the men had on safety wire. which
had been stretched from pier to pier. The
chief succeeded In catching hold OF the
guy ~irc but was compelled to remain!
there several hours until taken off by O
skin.
Tho insane asylum Is very near the
river on the south side. and on account
of the rapidly rising water It is not i'm
probable that the whole institution may
have to be abandoned before night. The
asylum Is composed Of ten buildings. and
is the largest public institution in the
lum has already lost It's Ice and water
supply.
There is no danger to the inmates. and
when necessity shall arrive they can be
removed In safety.
The Kansas River ordinarily Is very
shallow stream, and there are no boats
OF any size obtainnble. The small boats
cannot be rowed against the swift cur
rent which sweeps the street. II steam
launch were Mt hand many people would
be saved who are now facing certain
death. At the Chicago Lumber Com
panys yards A. B. Belts. wealthy citi-
zen. a member OF the Legislature. had a
gang OF men engaged nearly all day
in making skfrs. that kept communica-
ton open over the bridge that connects
the two parts OF town.
ALL LEND a HAND.
Children suffering with scarlet-fever
are compelled to be near those who are
well. The county courthouse and the
Federal buildings are crowded tonight
with people of all classes. There is no
lack OF help for anything that Is to be
done Men OF all callings and profess
sions. white and black together. work
side by side. doing whatever lies In their
power.
AS tho water advanced 1t became me-
necessary to drive carriages and ambu-
Iances to the south end OF the pontoon
In water so deep that the horses had to
swim Among those who took hand
In this work were James A. Troutman,
Cyrus Leland. pastors OF the leading
churches: Father Payden. OF the Church
of the Assumption the county attorney.
the sheriff and his deputies. A number
OF TRUSTEES at the county jail were llbe-
rated by the sheriff to give them a
chance to help the sufferers. II 1t be-
came necessary to get out Into the water
shoulder deep they did It willingly. one
OF the men. named Wentherly was
credited with saving five lives on me
north side. ~
The entire city is thoroughly at the
mercy OF any fire that might break out.
The Fire Chief tonight issued an order
warning the people to guard against nre.
The Board of Health tonight issued an
order warning tho people not 70 drink
any water unless It be boiled. and giving
other directions for preserving health,
John %. Frost, immigration agent OF
the Santa Fe, is In charge OF the relief
Headquarters.
WATER STILL RISING.
Feporters who have just arrived from
the river say the water Is yet rising. An
unconhrmed report from Wamego ana
Manhattan, west of Topeka, says that
another rise Is coming down the Republic
GA n and Blue Rivers. If this be true, the
situation here will he greatly intensl'led.
FIRE Chief Wilmarth says that the IRE
on the east side OF Kansas Avenue IN
North Topeka. is rapidly taking the re-
naming buildings The fire IS going TO-
wards the wind, and this VIII serve 20
check Its progress, hut there Is so much
burning wreckage floating about that the
destruction OF the remaining houses IS
regarded as certain People on the roofs
of houses are yet heard calling frantically
for help, -.
people were swamped and that dozen or
more people were drowned.
Shorey, another suburb OF Topeka.
northwest of the city, near the Reform
school, is now Inundated. The Jackson
schoolhouse shelters 100 people, They en-
tered the building before the water be-
came so high, and now they cannot es-
cane. The building is slightly raised from
the ground, and II no further rise shall
tuke place the prisoners may he rescued.
They are now standing on benches, the
water covering the floor several feet
deep. The Harris elevator also shelters
fifty people The water is now so high
that 1t Ia rapidly spreading out over the
country north of Topeka.
At midnight earlier estimates or the
number of dead are confirmed by refu-
gees coming to the city. In the darkness
and rushing water no bodies can be re-