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

TOPEKA KAN, May 30.-People who
did not leave North Topeka last night
when they had chance are now In the
greatest danger OF losing their lives. AS
far as can be estimated at this time,
over 500 people are beyond reach OF res
cue. The river is rising at the rate OF
inches an hour. Thirty are known to
be dead. and the list will be larger.
Hundreds are missing. People are drown
In. and Others are burning to death. II
any portion Of North Topeka shall es-
cape destruction BIZ the flood 1t seems to-
night as though Or. would finish the
work. The large lGraDcr yards OF Jona-
than Thomas caught fire this afternoon
and whole blocks OF houses were burned.
Burning houses are floating through the
streets and setting fire to the others.
1t is reported that the Union Pacific
Depot and Hotel have been burned.
There is no possible way OF quenching
the flames. The loss OF life will be
appalling. the property loss in the mil
lions. Nobody can tell Just what has
been destroyed. Tho water extends
around shorey and other suburbs.
HUNDREDS IN DANGER.
Every foot OF North Topeka, Inhabited
by 10000 people. is under water. The
current is so swift that no boat can live
In It. Seven thousand people have es-
capped to the south side and are being
cared for as we'll as possible. The re-
naming hundreds have not yet been ac-
counted for. They have been forced to
the ton floor or the roofs of buildings
and are waiting for the water to sub
side or carry them down stream. Below
town scores OF men are in tree tops Yell
Ing for help. Thousands Of revolver
shots and screams have been heard on
the north side, signals for aid Women
and children in the west part OF North
Topeka are standing on highest points
In reach. and yet are in water to their
necks.
chief OF Police Gofr and Thomas Page.
prominent miller. with their families,
are among tho many who cannot escape
from the flood. The current Is rapid
~ getting stronger and is sweeping
across the city from the north. People
are dropping from tops OF houses ana
trees. having become exhausted by their
eighteen hours Imprisonment and are ar
being swept away Several are known
n have been burned to death.
STRUGGLE IN CURRENT.
II ia reported by men who have been IN
sight OF the district that hundreds there
are suffering and sick, The current Is so
strong thta cars are usless, and early
in the afternoon gang was ORGANIZED 10
row as far as possible and swim tGe rest
=, the distance. Several houses were
overturned. and women have been seen
struggling in the water. The river reach
ed the Rock Island Depot on First street
to-day. The water on Crane Street Is
eight feet deep, and the current is like
mil, race. Perhaps hundred people
have been thrown Into the water at thar
noint. The river is twenty-five feet above
the low water mark and Is stu rising
The weather Is cold, and the people VINO
have not been rescued are suffering m
tensely. Unless they have help soon u
Is feared that many will die OF expo
sure.
In the B Street colored Baptist Church
on the north side. more than one hum
dred victims OF the flood are gathered
The water flooded the building. and the
people are standing on pews to keep theil
heads above the water.
The work of rescuing and caring fol
the flood survivors is being carried for
ward systematically. Contributions are
being rushed to the Committee on Re-
lief, citizens are opening their homes to
survivors, and every in0catlon Is that
the city will be we'll able to care for those
who have left their homes, Every public
building In the city Is sheltering scores
~ homeless people. The Rock Island has
received a report that the river Is falling
nj Manhattan, Offsetting this comes re-
mort that a waterspout has started q
foot rise down the Blue River.
GETTING WORSE.
Flood conditions are getting worse at
Lawrence. More than 900 people in the
north part OF the town are homeless
The large -four mill belonging to Con-
i . -. -.