davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
TORNADO IN CHASE COUNTY.
Strong City and Cottonwood Falls Get
Heavy Wind.

Strong City. Kas., May 30.-Threatening
storm clouds were visible from the south
west to northwest all day Friday Abont
o'clock one of the most severe wind and
rain storms ever known here struck the
town from the southwest The roof on
the southwest part of the high school
building was damaged the Second Baptist
church was moved on the foundation and
otherwise injured, huge limbs of trees
were twisted off and telegraph and tele-
phone wires are all down west
The Cottonwood river is higher than
ever known. The water reaches from
bluff 10 bluff between Strong City and
Elmdaie No trains have left on the SUI
perior branch of the Santa Fe today sew
era1 miles of track being washed out on
that branch The lower portion of the
town is under water and families have
moved TO higher ground The weather is
cloudy and threatening rain
AT COTTONWOOD FALLS.
Cottonwood Falls. kas., May 33.-A
heavy wind storm ard small tornado
passed over this region Thursday night
about o oclock. Some barns were blown
down. trees uprooted and in the vicinity
a farm house or two wrecked. The rain
was immense The Cottonwood river at
this place has not been so high for thirty
years. The bridge between this place and
Strong City is being anchored to save 1t
from washing out as the water is rum
ming over the bridge now
The farmers on the Mcdowell bottom.
above town. have been compelled to move
out. The river is rising
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
IT Is NULLIFIED.
Supreme Court Knocks Out the Long
end Short Haul Clause.

~@N~ -
In a decision by the United states
supreme court in a case against the
Louisville & Nashville and other south
of the interstate commerce act prac-
tically is nullihed. The court upholds
the right of these roads to charge more
for the haul from New Orleans TO La
Grange than for the haul from New Or
leans to Atlanta, although La Grange
is Is miles nearer.
The explanation is made by the court
that Atlanta is the competitive points
and that the rate there may be used as
a basis. so that the railroad shipping
from New Orleans to La Grange will
have the right to charge the rate from
New Orleans to Atlanta, with the rate
from Atlanta back to La Grange added.
The court said the lower rate to At
Ianta was justified by the exigencies OF
rate from New Orleans to Montgomery,
the nearest competitive point on the
other side of La Grange, added to the
local rate from Montgomery to La
Grange, would make a higher rate than
that complained of, while the railroads
would be justified in charging it.
The decision will prevent the interstate
commerce commission from prosecuting
any more cases where the railroads are
accused of charging higher rates to To-
cal points for shorter distances than to
competitive points for longer distances,
although no water competition has to be
met.
The Southern Pacific for years has
been charging much higher rates to in
Francisco and Los Angeles, and 1t was
claimed that this was in violation of the
law. The supreme courts decision JUS
titles the roads action.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
IN THE COTTONWOOD VALLEY.
Worst Flood in History from Florence
to Emporia.

Florence. May 90.-The Cottonwood
valley is experiencing the worst flood in
years today. The water in Florence IS
running like mill-race down all the
streets. and is from three to five feet
deep over the entire town. Every cellar
and basement is flooded, and in many
of the business houses and residences
the water is from two inches to thru
feet deep in first floors. In East Flor
ence many Of the houses are submerged
to the caves. Lawns. gardens and fields
are totally ruined. The valley of the
Cottonwood from Marion to Emporia is
flooded from bluff to bluff.
Many thousands of acres of VIII ,at
and corn are entire losses. The water is
over the railroad bridge and the com
pany has had a heavy freight train on
the bridge all afternoon to keep it from
going out
The mill is the heaviest loser. About
2 600 bushels Of wheat was damaged and
many pounds of flour are an entire loss.
Boats ara running out all the streets
and nearly all the residents east OF
Main street are camping on the hill
The river is two inches higher to1ay
than it was in 1877, the high water
mark heretofore
The track is all washed out between
here and Marion aud all communication
has been cut off all day The main line
of the Santa Fe is out in a number Of
Point, Elmdale and Clements are all re-
ported flooded. The estimated loss on
property and crops along the Cotton
WoVu ALLEY viii be $500 009
M. S. Miller and W It. AYES lost all
their hogs, of which each We're fee ling
large punches. and had them about
ready for the market
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
Floods Over the State Means
Millions Loss.
Thousands Of Acres of Corn Out
in the Valleys.
TOWNS UNDER WATER.
Council Grove Ruined by Fire
and Water.
Cottonwood and NeOshO Valleys
Storm Swept.
Along the Kaw the Damage Is
Beyond Estimate.
TOWNS UNDER WATER.

Council Grove. Kan. May 30.-After
several hours of extreme high water
the Neosho river Friday rose over hve
feet above any record and great wave
OF water submerged over half the city
Scores of homes and hundreds of barns
and other buildings are washed away
Every business house east and west of
the river is flooded. The big bridge is
washed away. Fully one thousand peo-
pie are deprived of homes and several
drowned. The river filled the entire
valley from hill to hill. Scores OF people
drifted on floating wreckage or cluna
70 trees all night
Delicate women and children spent
the night in garrets or tops Of houses
and high places after houses were
flooded. Many farmhouses are flooded
Hundreds of hogs, cattle and horses are
drowned
At the height of the food a fire broke
out In lumber yard and piles Of burn
2ng lumber fioated through the streets
spreading fire. Several of the finest
business blocks in the city were burned
including the Farmers and Drovers
bank. while the floods several feet deeD
were rushing through the streets and
stores the latter were in flames at the
TOD. Damage is beyond estimate. Fully
utteen miles OF the Missouri Pacific ana
~. K a 4. tracks are out.
The loss by the food in Morris
county IS estimated at s., ZOO, 900. -Four
persons were drowned here last night
Edward Clements persisted while en-
deavoring to save his daughter. Ralph
Phillips, while trying to rescue a little
girl named Woods, was drowned with
her A baby was found dead in the
Missouri Pacific yards. The big Main
street bridge over the Neosho river
went down All the business houses
were flooded. More than a hundred
houses are under water and twenty
Eve doatad away
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
BEGIN WORK AT ONCE.
Plans for Santa Fe Hotel at Grand
Canyon Are Approved.

Plans submitted by Charles f. Whit
telsey for the new hotel to be built by
the Santa Fe near the head of the
Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon of
Arizona, have been finally approved
Work will begin at once. The location
selected is in a pine forest, 200 yards
east of the present temporary structure
but farther ack from the rim. At this
point the gorge is 5000 feet deep and
thirteen miles wide. Bright Angel
Tavern. as the new hosiery may be
called. will cost about 100000. 1t Will
be under the mana cement of Fred dar-
vev The Swiss chalet style of archl-
lecture has been adopted, native stone
and logs being used as far as practlca-
HE hotel Of this character has been
made necessary by the rapidly increas-
ing travel since the railroad was eX-
tended from Williams.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30

Fast travel between Chicago and New
York has become so popular that the
passenger department of the New York
Central and the Lake Shore road have
decided to put another sleeper on the
Twentieth Century Limited" train ear
ly in June. Yesterday there was such
a call for space in the train that an ex-
ira sleeper was put on, and on other
occasions when this was done it has
been demonstrated that the limited
could easily make the schedule with
the extra equipment.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
POPULAR ENo1uEER' CONTEST
Frank Myer Gets the Prize on Okla
hona Division.

Arkansas City. Kan. May 30.-About
two months ago the Ladies' Auxiliary
of the B. Of l. Z. put up a loving cup
which was to be voted to the most pom
ular engineer on the Oklahoma divis-
ion. Since that time there has been a
lively demand for the tickets. last
night the contest closed with social
and dance in the K. of p. hall. This
was largely attended. The guests spent
the time in dancing and eating the re-
freshnents- The voting upon the en- .
gineer was spirited and the ladies' sold
q great many tickets. The contest
finally developed into a race between
the two leaders. Frank Myer and Carl
Mac. The final contest showed Mver
to Myer who made a speech of accept
ance.
The ladies went into the scheme for
the purpose Of making money for THEN.
order, and they accomplished that end
in measure that they had not ex-
Dected
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
Ar sTANDsrILL ar ABILENE.
The Waters Are Gradually Receding
and Worst Ia Over.


Abilene. Kan, May s0-The devasta-
tom of the flood of last night in the
smoky Hill valley in this vicinity is
enormous ard viii reach into hundreds
OF thousands Of dollars damage. The
tWelve-hOur rain ending at midnight
together with the breaking of the San
ia Fe reservoir on Mud creek at Man
chester caused an inundation of the
city that has been the most destructive
fin its history.
For six hours a flood of water dow
ed like a river through the city filing
two hundred cellars and one hundred
families fed to places of refuge.
The effect of the flood may be sum
married. thus: Rock Island Santa Fe
and Union Pacific tracks washed away.
Rice JOhntz and Nicolays lumber yards
burned from the contact of lime In stock
with the water, loss $4,000; the three
story block containing stores Of Lloyd
g. Belknap. Adineck & Taylor, Mrs. Clark,
". Davis. Allen Commercial college
and several offices collapsed into heaps
OF debris, a number of other brick
buildings, Brokers grocery store, the
Dewey block. Prendergast's Masonic
block. and others flooded with some
danger Of later colapsing.
The Daily Reflector, News and ChrOn-
tcIe press rooms are submerged and no
chance of issuing before next week ex-
ssfs. No trains arrived last night or
WIN for some time to come. The cleo
trio light plant and water works plant
are under water and the city is IN d
serious condition.
scores of families are homeless and
Sled to high ground last night Many
houses are swept away. The loss to
crops and stock in the valley is almost
3ncalculable.
For miles in every direction the fields
are under water. One may go in a boat
from the Rock Island depot to the In
terror two miles away Many families
were removed In boats and several were
FOUND in trees where they sought re-
Euge. The loss of crops of all kinds is
enormous and the corn and wheat will
be ruined in tens of thousands Of acres
and the loss is serious In many in-
stances the salvation of families was
little less than a miracle.
Some farmers spent the day in trees
until rescued. Others perched on the
roofs Of houses. Chapman, Solomon
Manchester and HeringtOn had equal.
heavy rains and the situation is similar
throughout the lowland country. NAM
merchants of town are moving all their
stock OF goods to higher places in an
ticipadon Of the collapse Of buildings in
high water from the river.
The situation is critical in every d.
reetion. but it is generally believed thai
the worst is over.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
RUINAT TON AND SORROW

on all four railroads entering this town.
At Little River, in Rice county. the
water is higher than it was ever known.
The platform of the depot at that place
has been washed away.
At Marquette the Smoky Hill river is
five feet higher than it has ever been.
Citizens Of that place say that in 1868
was the greatest flood known and 1t is
said to be higher now than it was then.
The bridges Of the river are gone and
the stream at that place is seven miles
wide The water covers all the farms
In the valley causing considerable loss
in stock At Lindsborg the entire town
is surrounded by water.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
ALMA UNpER 49,.
The Lower Portion Of tie Town Is
Flooded-Tracks Gone.

Alma. Kas. May s0.-The heaviest rain
of the season. amounting almost 10 a
the wind-up OF a week marked by rainfall
every day and the whole country is flood
ed. The lower portion of the town is in
undated and several families have been
driven from their homes. The Rock Island
depot is entirely surrounded by water,
which is from two to six feet In depth
A thousand feet of sidetrack in the Rock
Island Yards has been entirely washed out.
Three miles of track between Alma and
Voland are also gone. and one bridge has
been swept away. 1T isn't expected that
any Rock Island trains VIII reach the
town for two days at least
Farmers have suffered severe crop and
stock losses. Joseph Dittman farmer
living four miles north of town. has lost
fifteen head of fine hogs. Cattle and hogs
belonging to many other farmers in this
vicinity have been drowned, and the loss
from this source viii amount to consid-
cradle.
A number Of wagon bridges have been
washed out. The food situation is worse
than any ever experienced here.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30

million dollars. The directors are J. W
Martin, H. T. Sims, James H. WoIver-
ton. George NJ. Paschol. o. L. Abney,
H. W. Hanna. all of Lawton--
The Cherokee Construction company,
with headquarters at Shawnee, was
chartered today to engage in the sale
of coal, lumber and real estate, to build
railroads and own the securities Of
railroads and other corporations. The
capital stock is fixed at IL million doll
lars. The directors are Charles E. In
gersoll, William H. jerks, William F.
Harrity. John L. Fisher, Philadelphia,
Pa, and Willard Johnston and c. NJ
CaGe. Of Shawnee
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
Freight Handlers Trouble at
Kansas City Is Ended.
Settlement Made By Lake Shore
at Chicago.
CONTRACT FOR A YEAR.
Men Get Wage Increase of Four
Per Cent.
Must Give Thirty Days. Notice
Before They Strike.

Chicago, May 3O-The trouble between
the freight handlers and the railroads
entering Chicago was virtually settled
last night. The management of the
Lake Shore road took the initiative and
made a proposition to their men which
was accepted The men had demanded
an average increase of % per cent. AT a
meeting last night the officials of the
road offered to compromise with an
increase that averages a little more
than per cent. After considering the
matter for several hours the men agreed
to the proposition and each side signed
the contract. The new scale goes IN
to effect June 1 and is to be in effect for
one year. The men agree to give 80
days notice before going on strike
during the existence of contract. The
other % roads involved in the difficulty
1t is said viii endeavor to reach 4 set
Element with their employees on the
same basis as the lake Shore agree
ment.
This will terminate the trouble which
has been pending at Kansas City for
was so intense that some of the Mis-
souri, Pacific freight handlers there quit
work Thursday without waiting for
orders from the Chicago headquarters
This trouble does not affect Topeka,
as the freight handlers union extends
only to Kansas City and Chicago.
The Santa E'e. Rock Island, and IN
fact all the western roads, were IN
terested in the Chicago trouble.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
CROPS WASHED OUT.
Thousands of Acres Destroyed
Around Emporia.


Emporia. Kan, May SO.3The food
situation here is as bad as it was last
year when so much damage was done
20 crops along both the Neosho and
cottonwood rivers. The Neosho lacks
only a few iaches of being the highest
ever known. From Perleys hill near
the State Normal building for miles
NORTH east and west only water and
Tres can be seen, hundreds of farms
being submerged, with the water still
rising. Early this morning word was
sent here that a big wave was coming
loMn tne river ana runners We're I'M
medlateiy sent out on horses to warn
residents near the river. So far as
learned no lives have been lost
An immense amount of damage has
been done to crops. Thousands of chick
ems have been swept away. Dow creek
Allen creek and Troublesome creek are
all high. Even the bottoms north of
the pumping station are under water.
Looking north from the reservoir hill
one can see square miles of fields under
water.
At Americas the river is said to be
four feet higher than it ever has been
The water now covers the townsite. AS
Americas is mile from the river this
would indicate that the river is at least
q mile wide a. that place.
The Santa Fe received word this
morning that the Cottonwood in Nc
Pherson county was getting back water
from the Smoky Hill river which is
crossing over the divide and coming
down the Cottonwood river. No trains
had come up from Parsons over the
Katy road this morning People who
were planning to take in the dollar ex-
cursion to Junction City today will be
disappointed. as in some places the
track IS washed out entirely.
The reports from up the river have
alarmed the farmers in the Junction
district and great many Of them are
moving their families to higher ground.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30

to o'clock last evening exceeding five
inches. A large part of the north por-
ton Of this IS flooded and many families
have been driven from their homes.
There have been no trains in since
Thursday on any Of the railroads ex-
cept the Santa F'e and nothing on It
from the east owing to washouts at
Manchester. All the other roads report
serious washouts. The Republican river
is now higher than at any time in
known history and with all it's tribu-
taries is overlooking thousands Of acres
doing immense damage
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
SHOT THROUGH WINDOW.
Santa Fe Bookkeeper at Newton Had
q Narrow Escape.

Newton. Kas.. May go small boy
with a 22-ealiber rifle turned loose in
the corporate limits of a city is a dan
gerous thing. Mr.. Wachter, the book
Keeper in the Santa Fe storeroOnl. came
very near losing his life yesterday by
the carelessness of a small boy who fired
shot through the storeroom window.
The ball passed through the. window
over Mr.. Wachter's desk and lodged in
the door across the room Mr.. Wachter
was out on the platform invoicing but
if he had been at his desk the ball
would have struck him in the head or
neck
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30

Lawrence Kas Nay 30-The Kaw river
has continued to rise rapidly all day long
and in the last p hours has come up near
" three feet The water stands about 10
feet deep on the dam here. Is running over
the first floor of Bowersoclz's mill has
caused the waterworks. electric light and
brick plants to shut down has washed
out the Union Pacific track for mile just
north of Lawrence and caused a cessation
of practically all traffic on the Santa Fe.
The break in the bank on the north side
of the river has flooded the greater part
of North Lawrence and houses are under
water way up and have been abandoned
by about forty families.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
PIcNIc Ar REpoNpo.
Santa Fe shopmeu at San Bernardino
VIII Have q Lark.

San Bernardino. Cal. May S0-The-4
is talk among the shopmen OF the an
nual picnic which the Santa F'e EN-
nloyes and their families in San Der
nardino have beer given by the ccm-
pany for the past several years
Though the various committees have
lot decided upon definite plans to he
submitted to the officials for approval
as IS the custom. there has been some
little thought given to the matter in IN
informal way. Accoi ding to popular
opinion the big celebration will take
place shortly after the July pay day
~h!ch means July IS or 1e. The picnic
grounds will probably be at Redondo. at
which place the holiday was spent lasr
year. As before stated, however, no Of
fetal steps have been taken and the ex-
act date and place are yet to be an
uounced
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
TROUBLE IS BREWING.
Rock Island Making. Preparations to
Fight the GouIds.

Tt is becoming more evident every day
that the Rock Island people are pre-
pairing to fight the Goulds. In addition
to building the Ell Paso extension AMI
acquiring the St. Louis and san Fran
cisco system. the Rock Island is to
parallel the st. Louis, Iron Mountain
and Southern. which is part -
Gould's Missouri Pacific system The
BatesViIle and Jacksonport Railway
company. which has just been incor-
pora ted at Little Rock, Ark, IS TO De
an extension of the Rock Island, 9nc
will run almost parallel with the Iron
Mountain road from the connection
with the Rock Island TO White river
Work on TIE new road is to be COM
menCe6 a : once
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
1888 DEAD SHEEP.
Gruesome Result of a Freight Wreck
on the Santa Ee.

At the wreck at Onerle a few days
ago there We're thirteen cars of sheep
ditched. The cause of the wreck was
supposed to have been the dropping Of
a truck on a tank car Immediately
ahead OF the sheep. After the wreck
was cleared the dead sheep were counted
and there were just ], 133 of them. Some
were burned, some were buried and
some still remain in a pile on the edge
of the right of way for the section men
to dispose of. Those who saw the wreck
say that it was a gruesome sight.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30

Larned. Kan. May 80.-A heavy rain
fell here Friday morning In some parts
of the country the fall is reported as
heavy as six inches. a severe wind and
much lightning accompanied the storm.
At Pawnee Rock. nine miles east Of
here, carpenters We're at work on a large
barn at the beginning of the storm. The
barn was struck by a bolt of lightning
and Harvey Converse, a young carpen-
ter was instantly killed, and other
workman nearby had narrow escapes.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30

It is stated on reliable authority that
there are now extensive improvements
contemplated in the Santa Fe shops at
La Junta, which will involve an expendi-
tare of about $4,000. There are about one
hundred men now employed in the car de-
partment alone in that place and 1t is
necessary to provide more convenient
quarters.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30
New Road for oklahoma.

Guthrie. Ok, May 30.-The I.awton
& Chickasaw Central Railroad COM
pany. with its principal place Of bust
ness at LaWton, was chartered today
to build q line from Iawton to Sulphur
Springs. 7. T.. an estimated distance Of
s. miles. The capital stock is liked at ?
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30

Reading, Kan, May 30.-The contin-
ued rains Of the past few days have
caused all the streams in this section
Of Kansas to overflow their banks. The
Marais des Cygnes which forms just
north of Reading is higher than any
time since 1895, and many acres of rich
bottom land are submerged. The dam
age of the wet weather to the crops
would be hard to estimate. Nearly the
entire corn crop must be replanted.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-30

Denver. Col. May 30-After "A in
nings Friday the game was called on
account of darkness with neither side
victor. It was a pitchers battle
throughout. Schlei of the Denver team
had his hand split again and may b.
disabled for the season.
Score: R-H. Z.
C.Spgs 001s0O O0O0O o. IL Z
Batteries-Lemke and Latimer; Jones
and Doran.