Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1903-06-05
DIES MONIES, IOWA, SUFFERS FOR
NEcEssARlEs o Fife.
Trains Are Unable to Enter the City
Bakeries Were Taxed on Account OF
5000 Refugees-Great Sufferln9
Through Exposure-city Water Sup
ply In Danger.

with a food and fuel famine. Meat
markets all over the city declare they
have but two or three days stock on
hand There are no trains entering
the city and no prospect of getting
shipment of freight into Des Moines
in less than three or four days. Baker
les are overtaxed by reason Of the de-
mand of the 5000 refugees.
The temperature of the past three
days has been such as to cause great
suffering and to threaten great loss
of life through exposure. Now it tran
spires that there is but meager coal
supply and that the light and power
plant and the water works have an
insufficient supply. Roads are impas-
sable for team hauling and no coal
can be shipped in.
At the water company's office 1t Is
stated that the situation Is alarming.
Notice was sent to every resident in
the city to draw an extra supply OF
water to provide against the closing
of the plant. Owing to the breaking
Of another levee the commons, on
which 60 tents were placed for flood
refugees, was flooded, completely sub
merging the tents. The occupants
escaped.
A little hope has been inspired In the
breasts of the 5000 flood refugees by
the report that the river has begun
slowly to recede. After rising all night
fall of two inches was noted between
8 o'clock and noon. The condition of
the sufferers has been slightly allie
Waited by the better organization of
the relief forces. Only isolated in
stances of extreme need of food have
been discovered, and those who were
living in rain soaked tents have near
ly all been removed to places Of COM
fort in public buildings. The need of
bed covering is still imperative.
Not a whee. is turning in the fac
tory district and no effort is made to
open any business houses. Boats af-
ford the only means of communication
between north, south and east Des
Moines, and the main part of the city.
This is extremely perilous.
So far as is known, but seven au-
thenticated fatalities have been re-
ported. Reports of score more have
been received from that section of the
city that is cut off, but can not be
verified
Water Receding.
At o'clock tonight the water in
the DesMoines river had declined IA
inches from its maximum height Of
"a feet, attained early this morning.
Notwithstanding the steady rain that
has fallen for three days past 1t Is be-
lieved that the danger of further rise
has passed. The river continues to be
from half mile to two miles wide.
effectually cutting off all communica-
ton between the main part Of Des
Moines from east, north and south Des
Moines and covers thousands Of homes
and business houses. The police re-
port that thieves in boats are plumber
ing stocks of merchandise to an alarm
ing extent and several arrests have |
been made.
At Ottumwa.
Ottumwa, Iowa, June ALI rec
ords for high water here were broken
Sunday, the water in the Des Moines
river standing q feet IL inches.
Hundreds of homes in the west and
south parts of the city are flooded.
Over Its Banks.
M,Sl-npaa J,,o
situation here is growing serious. The
Arkansas river is out of its banks and
the lowlands are flooded. The river is
now even with the tracks of the Mis-
souri,, Kansas & Texas bridge. It has
been raining all day and there is no
immediate prospect of relief.
War Department to Assist.
Washington, June 1.-The war de-
partment will assist to the extent of
its power in efforts to alleviate suf-
fering in the flooded districts of the
west. Orders to this effect have been
given to Major General Bates, COM
manding the department of the Mis-
souri,. The supply department at
Leavenworth, Kan, will be availed of
for the shipment of tents to the flood
ed localities should these be found
necessary.
Flood Warnings Issued.
Washington, June 1.-The following
special flood warning has been issued
by the weather bureau:
The flood situation in the lower Mis-,
souri, anpears to be grave. Warnings
for stage of e6 feet at Hermann and
bonneville, Mo-, and for so feet at St
Iouis have been issued. The danger
80 -,~o5 noipt &c 20 feet