Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-06-11
EAST D1CKIHsoN's FLOOD.
Chapman and Vicinity Had Psrilous
Time.

issued o special flood edition telling
Of the East Dickinson inundation. !,
says; Friday morning our city wal
awakened by the ringing Of bells and
warnings given by Luster Whitehair
Martin Howe, DR.. Morrison and
travelling man by the name Of Wiley
and others at about 4 a. m. At that
time the river was just coming In the
culvert at Conklin's, and the waters
from the creek could be seen rising
up the Hogan road, and at $3.50 a.. M,
the flood saw its highest, the river
coming to the top rail OF the main
line Of the railroad track at the Nor
rison elevator, and the water coming
into Talbot's store.
East Of the depot the two waters
came together and the current OF the
river washed the west side Of the pas
senger track onto the highest point OF
right-oi-way, and the waters washed
the east end onto the main track.
All the people Of the south' east,
and central parts Of the city moved
their families to the west end Of town
and to different parts Of the country.
On the grounds Of Indian Hill 1t re-
minded one Of an old-fashioned picnic
when We needed rain, and We didn't
care whether We were wet or mot.
The water reached the floors Of nearly
every one In the northeast OF town,
and several In that district had to DO
taken out in wagons and boats. d.
r. Erwin's, ]. M. Cliford's and Ar
mold & Scanlan's floors were flooded
and nearly every cellar in town east
Of the high school was filled with
water.
No lives were lost here or near here.
Starting at Gust Floyd's down the
river, the following 10 as nearly cor
rect as we are able to give:
At about O'Clock Gust Floyd and
family started to get out In q wagon
box, but as the current was 80 strong
they attempted to make their way
back TO the house when the box upset.
Mrs. Floyd and two children went
under, the small baby going under
twice, but we're rescued by Gust and
Charlie. The wagon box turned up
side down, they being placed on same
the men swimming and floating the
wagon box. By good management
they succeeded in landing in McDon'
AIDS grove where the men carried
them In safety to McDonald's house
At McDonald's Jas. Odle and P
Whitehair went to their rescue IL
boats and carried them to a safe place
the boys making three trips. P. H
Axelsen made his way to McDonald'i
In boat and at that place took some
Of the Floyd family and on his way
out lost one oar. He plunged into
the river and guided the boat to lant,
John Callahan and family being
little dubious stayed in town thai
evening. The water reached the sec
ond story Of bis house. Nearly al
his stock was saved with the excep
ton Of hogs and chickens.
At H. A. Knights the family stayed
in town that night. The water
reached the caves Of the house. All
the furniture and a new piano are
ruined. Forty hogs, one COW and one
horse were drowned. At Thomas on
the Robert Kinney farm Luster White
hair, Louis Isler and John Bennett
notified them in time to escape and
from there Luster and Louis notified
John Isler Of the situation and they
moved out in time. Mr.. Isler's loss
was one horse, one COW and calf also
hogs and chickens. The water went
nearly to the second floor. Jas. De.
vane was notified. M. E. Howe, DR..
Morrison and Wiley Elliott among
them found the family sound asleep
and by the time they were ready to
leave water was dashing up against
the house. He lost nearly all his hogs
and one calf.
At Shepherds D. F. Erwin, Jas.
0dle, A. II. Oesterhaus and Joe Erwin
went to them at O'Clock p. m, in
two boats and found them In the loft
4. AZ k.wu H.. nlI. - E..-A q