The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-06-03
DEADLY DELUGE IN KANSAS.
Fully 200 Persons Psrish---Propsrty
Loss amounts 10 Millions.
SITUATION STILL PERILoUs.
One Of the Greatest Disasters Ever
Known in Anerica---ln Some
Respects Worse than the
lohnsfoWn Flood.

Topeka, Kas.. May. 80. People who
did not leave North Topeka last night
when they had chance are now N
the greatest danger of losing their
lives. As far as can be estimated at
this tine ever 500 people are beyond
reach Of rescue. The Kansas river is
rising at the rate of three inches an
hour. Thirty are known to De dead
and the list viii be larger. Hundreds
are missing. People are drowning
and others are burning to death. II
any porion of North Topeka shall
escape destruction by the aood it seems
tonight as though fire would finish
the work. The large lumber yards of
Jonathan Thomas caught fire this aft
ernoon and the whole block of houses
was burned. Burning houses are
floating through the streets and setting
FIRE TO Others. It is reported that the
Union Pacific depot and hotel have
been burned. There is no possible
way.of quenching the haraes. The loss
Of life viii be appalling, the property
loss in the millions. Nobody can tell
Just what has been destroyed. The
water extends around sihorey and
other suburbs.
Every foot of North Topeka, in
habited by LOCO people, is under
water. The current is SO swift that
no boat can live in it. Seven thousand
people have escaped to the south side
and are being cared for as well as pos
sible. The remaining hundreds have
not yet been accounted for. They have
been forced to the top floor the roofs
OF, buildings and are waiting for the
water to snbside or carry them down
stream. They are safe only so long as
the building remains standing. Below
town scores of men are in tree tops,
yelling for help. Thousands Of revolver
shots and screams have been heard on
the north side, signals for aid. Women
and children In the west part of North
Topeka are standing on the highest
points in reach and yet in water to
their necks.
Burning houses are floating about
setting FIRE to others. The lower story
Of the burning buildings contain 10
feet Of water. The current is so strong
that no boat can approach any of the
burning buildings People are gather
ed on the tops of houses and will meet
death either by fire or drowning. Ihe
cries for help can be distinctly heard
mile away. The whole city is wild
" excited because no aid can be ex-
tended to the sufferers. The river at
North Topeka is FIVE miles wide. No
possible estimate OF the financial loss
is obtainable, but it can be stated that
it will reach into the millions.
North Topeka was the manufactur-
ing district of the city. Three large
-four mills, three woolen mills and
other manufacturing enterprises are
entirely destroyed. The water supply
Of the whole city has been cut off.
The water from the river extends
nearly mile on the south side. The
Rock Island depot has been abandon
ed. and more than 500 people on this
side Of the river are also homeless,
but no loss of life has resulted in
South Topeka. The Kansas avenue
bridge is the only one across the river
for miles and the approaches to that
bridge are flooded by 80 feet of water.
A pontoon bridge is being erected,
II an effort to reach the sufferers.