Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1903-06-04
The Worst Over but 1t Was
Bad Enough
LOSS OF LIFE LESSENED
But the Extent of the Destruction Of
Property Was Not Exassera-
ted by the Widest
Reports.

Kansas City. June 3.-The Missouri
river fell seven inches between a. IN.
and 6 D. m. today. and the Kansas riv-
er fell nine inches in the same time
There was Il sunshine during a large
part of the day and the general feeling
was hopeful. MilItiamen and police
still guard all approaches to the flood
ed district, and soldiers halt pedestri-
ans in the residence streets late at
night for there are no street lights, the
electric light plant being still shut
down. Seven street car lines are in
operation, and the others win resume
in a day or two. The city water works
viii begin pumping late tonight, and
the retail business district will be sup
piled with water tomorrow. Railroads
are still giving incomplete service, but
are repairing the washouts.
The reports of heavy loss of life in
Kansas City, Kansas, are not true and
the stories of bodies lying in the drift
are untrue. The loss OF property has
not been overestimated, however. An
Associated Press launch crossed TO Ar
mourdale today and cruised for miles
through the water lanes that formerly
were city streets. The entire city is
under water, in many places twenty
feet deep and all of the 10000 inhabi-
tants have fled. Except the watchmen
in the packing houses on the river
front, not a human being was to be
seen, or even domestic animal. In
many of the houses the upper windows
were open and the rooms in confusion.
No steps have been taken to protect
household goods in the buildings. Ar
mOurdale will not be inhabited for a
long time after the flood subsidies.
Every building has been more or less
damaged and hunreds utterly ruined.
A strong current has swept through
the town and the river may persist in
following this course.
Where the water is deep and still
there will be six feet of soIidly packed
mud when the flood abates and this
will need TO be cleared away. On the
roofs of the houses that have been
uncovered u foot of mud lies. Kansas
avenue. the principal thoroughfare Of
Armourdale, is choked twenty feet
with the debris of fallen telegraph
poles. sidewalks and fences. The brick
buildings have stood. losing all their
windows. but the water has packed the
streets with rubbish. The clearing
away OI lllt IIluu anu fulIlS VIII De IlC
work of months.
In the West Bottoms of Kansas City
the waters of the Kansas river are
rushing through the streets like
mountain torrent. Several old brick
buildings. undermined by the water.
fell today Not one wooden building IS
fit to be used. The Elevated Railroad
company is tearing down a number OF
the stations which were tottering. In
the wholesale district where many
loaded freight cars stand on the tracks
and the warehouses are full of valua-
BILE goods, men proWling about in boats
are compelled to account for them
selves under threat of shooting.
In the stock yards are dead horses
mules and cattle floating on every side.
The elevated road ways are full of cat
tie driven from the pens and the neces-
Sity of looking after these animals
makes the district busy, men going
about in boats. The losses Of the rail-
roads on loaded and empty cars stand
ing in the yards o: the West Bottoms
is even larger than represented The
contents of every loaded car must be
seriously damaged and practically all
Of the thousands of cars have been
overturned or smashed The sub
sidence OF the water left fringe of dry
area next to the bluffs in the West
Bottoms. The owners of houses and
stores vacated by the water promptly
took possession and began clearing the
mud from the floors.
The following was Issued by Mayor
Reed and the Commercial club today:
Inquiries are being made respecting
the effect of the flood upon the business
OF Kansas City. no. There is abso.
lutely no grounds for any anxiety con-
cerning the business and financial con-
dition of Kansas City Mo, in which
city the large business esta blishments
are located The wholesale houses
situated on the lowlands have resumed
business through branches already es-
tablished up town. The waters are
rapidly receding and complete resump-
tion OF business in the institutions To-
Gated in the lower lands is only mat
ter of hours. We expect TO have our
water works system in operation in
twenty-four hours
"Our sister city. Kansas city. Kans..
the place of residence of many peo-
pie employed by our large establish
ments here has suffered a very great
loss. and we are informed. will appre-
ciate aid from outside cities.
Kansas City, Mo, has many gener-
Gus offers of assistance from outside
sources but she is taking care of her
own people. and giving all possible aid
to those needing help elsewhere"
The clearing house associa ton issued
q statement TO the same effect.