New-York tribune., 1903-06-01
Topeka RELIEVED.
Waters Recede Slo5cly-Sundag a
Dan of Uork and Prayer.

Topeka KAN May 31.-The food situation N
Topeka is somewhat relieved All the people
who survived last night in the trees have been
rescued and taken to the tall buildings stIli
standing in this section The water is recedinx
slowly. 1t is thought that the worst is over
For this reason no organized effort made
to-day to bring the sufferers across the river
The rescue parties have devoted their time prir->
cipally getting food to the hundreds impris-
oned in the factories. business houses. public
buildings and two story residences. A hundred
or more boats of provisions have been pfoted
across the swift current and distributed among
the sufferers. If there is anybody hungry in the
submerged district tonight it is because he
could not be found. In the big wooIlen mill
more than 175 refugees are quartered- They
have enough food TO last them tonight
It is impossible to give any very accurats esti-
mate of the deaths. Rescue parties in the ag-
gregate report seeing twenty-six bodies afoat.
Probably a half dozen dead bodies have beer
identified.
Boats have been received from Kansas City
ST. Joseph, Ottawa and Emporia early to-day.
and were put into use Immediately. Had IL Dot
been for them the stu&tiou-would not =se 30
satisfactory tonight That many people dropped
from the trees last night is certain h''rdred
~ moro ,yarA almost Bfeless when rescued Dhey
were chilled through and through
The fire has died out, and there is no in'iser
,o, 4a,,ar from that source. Twa solid
,,o.,,. - rho business section are r9corted
burned. besides many residences on tff east
side of the submerged section.
The north approach to the Melan bridge has
washed out, and the south approach is sasstns
The main structure still stands. as do also the
Rock Island and Santa Fe bridges
Supplies are getting All railroad eorn-
munication between here and Kansas City has
been cut off, No fresh meat can be secured
from the packers, and people here viii have
to eat cured meats for a while There nas
been a big drain the local sroeers during
the day and their stock Of staple groceries
threatens TO run out Vegetables and erssh
fruits are q luxury All the berry patches and
1,asatabIe gardens have been submerged and
sunplies Of that kind cannot be shipped IN on
account of railroad washouts
Great precaution will be taken against an
endemic of fever The city Health Depart
ment. upon the advice Of the leading physicians.
ba. decided TO establish the refugees IN tents
on a high tract OF ground near town and keep
then, there until North Topeka Is thoroughly
renovated and cleaned UP. Several cases OF diph-
iberia. and hundreds of cases Of measles existed
in the stricken section before the food. and
rigid steps will be taken 70 protect the South
Side from those diseases
II has rained here almost necessarily all day.
II was cold, drizzling rain, and white It
chilled those who were wet. 1t did not add --lnn
water the river
Some Iootlng has been done by roboers onr
thew have not been able to operate extenstvsiy
on account of the swift current. The poiict viii
organize tomorrow to protect the city from
thieves. If caught thiefs life will nft Be
worth any more than horse thiefs NE IN
Texas.
In their distress the people cooped ID ths
houses over the river did not forget that this
was Sunday.
In fact. it was impressed upon them nors
strongly than ever and 1t common thing
for the rescuers to see people OF all walks OF
life bowling down together in prayer wher-
ever churchman preacher vas found he
was called upon give a talk religion
Where the house contained minister lay
leader they held simple prayer
Galveston wired the relief COMMITTEES to-day
to draw on it for any amount That city has
not forgotten the liberal donation il by the
American people when ii was In distress St
Joseph has also offered assistance.
We do not feel like calling for outside heip
yet" said \. A Goddard. chairman OF the
finance committee We want TO handle the
trouble at home II we can; IL will take a vast
| amount of money TO do H. We may have 10 ae-
| cept outside aid later on. In case we do we viii
THE LINE To CAIIFORNIN