The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30


wise than a disgraceful thing happened.
Ihree policemen thrust themselves into
a boat and were hauled across one of
them broke down and cried under the
nervous tension OF his experiences.
Ferhaps there was excuse for the haste
OF the three officers to get to safety.
They had all worked all night In water
saving many lives and performing acts
Of herOism. But the bOatmen that toiled
to carry them and toiled long afterward
risling again the eddies ia North To-
peka with their boats, had been work
ing before they commenced. To the
men who stood shivering on the bridge,
waiting until the women could be taken
off. the haste of the policemen appeared
IN no pleasing light.
One old German woman. her shoulders
wrapped in a gray old shawl ana her
feet and ankles sOpping wet, tainted
from fright and exhaustion in the boat
While being taken from the Melau
bridge to the Rock Island depot 0. NJ
Capron was managing the boat and the
collapse of his passenger came near re-
sulting disastrouSly to the entire load
But he landed safely and went back
after more.
THOSE WHO DESERVE CREDIT.
This is proper place to mention
again the work of Robert Campbell the
swarthy negro, who saved so many
people in a battered but thoroughly sea-
worthy row boat, of which he had absO-
lutte control. Campbell was cool when
every other person was excited. when
single false thrust of his oar might have
been the death of a half dozen women
and children. How many trips he made
no one knows, neither the number of
the lives he saved
It is hoped that recognition can be
given later for the services of the other
boatmen, young Dagan, and others
whose names are yet unlearned. Three
Washburn college boys, Edward Brown.
John r. Dadisman and Harry Maynard.
did excellent work all the morning from
4 O'Clock until noon, when connection
with the city was made by the pontoon
bridge These boys helped land refu-
gees, several times going into water
where the slightest misstep meant death.
They worked along with the police off,
GERS, taking all sorts of risks and doing
as much as anyone, excepting only the
men who rOwed the boats.
The one point in North Topeka where
The boats went out 60 and came in from
the residence districts was at the cor
ner of r street and Kansas avenue op-
posite Billiards. mill. When the boat
man was seated the boat was pushed
by six men against the swift waist
deep current, which was greatly aug
mented by the flow entering the street
at the alley from the south When the
boat was well headed past this alley it
was released and the oarsman fought
his way Up and down Curtis street and
the side streets six blocks west the
boats worked their way. They answer
ed screaming women on porch roofs
and aged men and children clnging
wherever most safety was promised
How these men loaded boats only
themselves know. Perhaps when the
horror Of the flood has passed they will
have time to tell things worth listening
TO but now they are working without
food or rest
An aged negro, once skillful boat
man, hauled several loads of friends
from somewhere in the west part Of
North Topeka Too tired to move an
oar he relinquished his boat to
stronger man but he waited and watch
ed for the faces he wanted to seer His
accomplishing anxiety was pathetic be-
yond description and at his first op-
portunfty he entered a boat to go after
his folks The joyful return Of the
boatlOad of black faces was indeed pleas
ant to see to the other men who had
watched the old darkeys woe, and
sympathized with his trouble
WANTED NO MONEY
Had the brave boatmen been engaged
in their rescue work for mercenary rea-
sons they might have reaped an untold
harvest of wealth, in promises
..I'n give five dollars to be taken
away" a woman clasping an infant,
..I'n give everything I have if you get
me over to the other side" shrieked
another.
An old man. too feeble to be of use
himself but left until after the women
had been taken off because he was in
mo real danger first promised things
of every description, then fell to abus-
ing the men who would not let him
go in the boats He was father Of the
brave Joe Orendorff and thought that
because his son had done so much he
should be given more attention. The
eor, reasoned with him when he had a
moment to spare. but turned savagely
upon a policeman who reproved the
old mans peevishness in his presence
Every person who was landed at the
Pock island depot uttered prayers Of
tl,a,7lxsziving Some of them volubly
thanked the boatmen and offered re
wards but none were taken Others
fo-eot in their thankfulness to heaven,
the Iabors of the men who had oeen lhe
instruments of their rescue