The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-06-01
DIES MONIES HOPES
FLOODS FURY is
SPENT
Waters Are Beginning to
Recede, Though Rains Con-
tinue-six Thousand Ref
ugees Need Succor-Death
List May Not Be More
Than Twenty.

DIES MONIES. Iowa, Nav al
Once more hope has been inspired in
the breasts of the 5000 flood refugees
ny the report that the river has begun
" Slo"Ly decl1ne After rising all
night, a fall was noted between 3
O'Clock and noon. The condition of
the sufferers has been slightly allie
waited by the better organization of
the reI1et forces. But isolated in
stances of extreme need of food have
eeen discovered and those who were
living in rain-soaked tents have nearly
all been moved to places of comfort
in public buildings. The need of bed
covering is still imperative
AT o'clock tonight the Des Moines
river had declined fourteen 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 are that the
river has been falling for twenty-four
hours.
Thousands Are Suffering.
The extent of suffering among the
several thousand flood refugees has
been reduced to a minimum by the bet
ter organization of the relief work.
The few remaining leYees will hold.
The river continues to be from half a
mile to two miles wide, however, eff
fectual1y cutting off communication
between the main part of Des Moines
and East, North and South Des Moines.
The water is filled with debris, and
boating is perilous. Railway traffic
continues to be tied UP. 1t will be sew
eral days before the railways will re-
sumo schedules or the street railways
can operate. 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 escap-
ed. Neither was wounded
Not a wheel is turning in the fac
tory district and no effort is made to
open any business houses. So far as
is known, but seven authenticated IA
ta1ueS have been reported. Reports
OF a score more have been received
from that section of the city that is cut
OIL from communication, but cannot
be verified. The Northwestern operat-
ed one train out from the city limits
today, mail being conveyed to it in a
boat. The Rock Island is trying to
get trains through to the West The
main line East is tied up.
The Milwaukee is also making spas
mod1c attempts to operate trains. The
Great Western. Wabash and Burlington
roads nave completely abandoned their
lines in this city. The water and cleo
trio light and power plants are still
running, but it is only by the enpIoy-
ment Of several hundred men to man
the pumps and work on the Ievees.
For over two davs it has rained con-
stant1y and the mercury has stood
close to the freezing point Scores of
men, women and children have spent
hours in soaking wet garments, sitting
on the roofs of their homes. awaiting
the arrival of rescuers The last of
these was removed at 10 o'clock More
fatalities will result from exposure
than from drowning. The property loss
will amount up in the millions. The
situation at Ottumwa and other points
on the Des Moines river below here is
little better.
Receding at Ottumwa.
AT Ottumwa all records for high
water Were broken today with water in
the Des Moines river standing 81 feet,
3 Il inches. Hundreds of homes in the
west and south part of Ottumwa are
Hooded. The work of rescuing victims
occupied the day. 1t is reported that
no lives have been lost Churches.
public buildings and many private
houses Were opened to the sufferers.
Many railway trains We're cut off on
all railroads except on the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy