The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
FLAMES SPREAD.
Fire in North Topeka Becomes
Serious.
Two Blocks Ablaze at Three
O'clock.
AFLOAT AND BURNING.
Blazing Buildings in Water on
Kansas Avenue.
Work Of Rescue Is Going on
HerOicaliy.
AFLOAT AND BURNING.

Two blocks on the west side Of
Kansas avenue in North Topeka, north
Of the Union Pacific tracks, are ahre.
This report is verified by J. E. Wilson.
a Wens-Fargo man, who came over
from North Topeka at o'clock
Mr.. Wilson says: Burning houses are
floating along the avenue setting every
thing afire along the avenue. When I
left there. the fire had not communica-
ted to the east side Of the avenue. but
4he entire two blocks north Of the Union
Pacific tracks on the west side OF the
street were afire Nothing can save The
entire north part Of town from destruc-
aion."
"a man and a woman were seen stand
ing in the topmost branches of a tree
on the north bank Of the river at ,
o'clock this afternoon The tree was III
rectly across from Monroe street and
the sWiftest current of the swoolen river
yves sweeping past the tree. All efforts
TO reach them were futile. The man
was seen to place his hands to his
mouth as if to shout but he could not
be heard. The woman waved a bit of
white cloth.
Jesse Alexander made his way across
from North Topeka at o'clock in
hopes OF securing help for So people i'm
priBoned in the r street COlored Baptist
church. The water is four feet deep over
the church floor and people were tsand-
ing on the pews TO keep their heads
nbove water.
The Forbes elevator and mill was re-
ported to be on fire by those who es-
capped from North Topeka at O'Clock
Ghis afternoon.
John NJ. Baird and family, DR.. NJ r.
Mitchell and wife and Mr. and Mrs
Curtis residence in North Topeka. Con-
gresham Curtis and his family escaped
last night but Grandma" Curtis re-
fused to leave her home until this morn
lng. When she was rescued the water
ovas several feet deep on the first floor
Mr.. and Mrs. Lungdon were rescued
from their home at 1913 Tyler street
morning by a boat. They were stand
ing on the furniture and the water was
around their shoulders when they were
rescued.
w. S. Bailey made his way over from
North Topeka at three O'Clock. He reS
ported that a woman and two children
We're dEaWned. He tried to reach them
by boat. He rescued eight people and
brought them to the south side of the
river.
Poor Commissioner Hale has made
arrangements to care for flood sufferers
at the court house Beds for 100 have
been put in the offices and food viii
be provided for all who go there.
Out of 20 wires over the Santa Fe be-
tween Topeka and Kansas City about
half of them are now working. The OPP
orator at the "Y" office az the Rock
Island bridge left during the night and
the instruments are unwOrkable
through the water at that office. Sa-
lima he's been cut off since 4:45 yester-
day afternoon, no wires either west or
east being workable. The State Jour
nails Associated Press wire was work
inF up to o'clock and win slap up, it
is thought. unless debris or trees
should strike the wires which are in
the water near Lake View.
At o'clock this afternoon G. F. Ximban
offered a reward Of $50 for the rescue Of
his two daughters. Nelly and Florence
Kimhau. who are in the Kimball home in
North Topeka Three colored men, Robert
Haggart, Bishop HOrd and Morley, set
out In boat to rescue them.
At 3 o'clock a rescue party for the
relief of the people in the 3 street Bap-
elst church was formed