The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1903-06-10
MANY PEOPLE IN PERIL
THOUSAND RESIDENTS OF ILL.
NOiS TOWNS AWAITING RES
CUE FROM FLOOD.
EELIEVED THE WORST HAS PASSED
MISSISSIPPI TOUCHES A HIGH WA
TER MARK OF 37.5 FEET AND
is NOW RECEDlNG.

st. Louis, June 10-At the rate of
from eight to ten miles an hour the
Mississippi river, over half mile
wide and ninety feet deep in the chan
rel, is pouring past St Louis toward
the gulf. For week the river. slowly
at first and then gaining in speed,
crept out of its ordinary confines until
ON June s, 1903, it had established a
high water mark of 37.5 feet, the high
est flood tide since the same mark
was unofficially established In 1883.
The river is now receding. Thirty
feet above low water mark Is the dan
ger line for st. Louis and the river
rose seven and one-half feet above the
danger line.
The crest of the flood has passed
ST. Louis and any further destruction
to be wrought will be from the possi-
BILE crumbling of undermined build
ings and to the country below this
point, danger of which Is lessened by
the spreading of the river over the
loWlands.
The rapid falling Of the water, 1t is
expected, will quickly drain the in
undated section on the Illinois sidG,
where the property loss Will be heav-
lest and repairs to the damaged prop
erty will soon be possible.
In Madison, Venice and Granite City
1t Is estimated that at least 1000 men,
women and children are in a precari-
GUS condition. They are awaiting res
cue, many in the second stories and on
tops Of houses and other points above
the flood, less in danger OF death than
starvation. Immediate steps are be-
ing taken to remove these people to
places Of safety.
Reports are coming In from Mad
son, Granite City and Venice, which
indicate the death list may be larger
than first estimated. 1t Is known that
at least
Twenty People Have Been Drowned
In that vicinity. A report was re-
ceived early in the day from Newport,
small town three miles from Granite
City, that a school building in which
are sheltered fifty children was totter-
Ing and threatening to collapse at any
moment Appeals were made for as
sistance, but there was no way TO
reach them from St Louis or East ST.
Louis, the only places that can now
render aid.
City Attorney Robert Hagneur Of
Venice Is reported By his relatives to
be missing and they fear he parished
when the city was overwhelmed. Dep
uty Coroner William Ball Horn OF
Madison county and his son, who
lived in Venice, have been given up
as lost. Louis kisher and wife, who
lived in Madison, are believed to have
been drowned in the breaking OF the
le,ee that Hooded that town. William
anchor and Mrs. Clifton and her in
fant have been missing for several
days and 1T is thought they perished.
IN one party OF refugees near Ed
wal dsville four cases of smallpox have
developed.
Numerous families, penniless ana
having no friends to whom 10 go, re-
fused to leave their flooded homes.
In many cases these people are
actually starving and food Will be fur-
nishad them by men in, skitrs at once.
In East st. Louis, where the rail-
road yards and that part along the
river on both sides Of the Eads bridge
Is flooded, the conditions are un-
changed. All night men were at work
strengthening the levee that is keep
ing the water back from the business
and residence sections of the city. The
railroad situation shows no improve
ment.
Thousands of Fiocd Refugees.
From police reports It was learned
there are $40 destitute flood sufferers
In st. Louis, refugees from East ~.
Louis, Madison, Venice, Granite CITY
ind Kaskaskia All are destitute.
There were over 1900 refugees IN the
city. but the remainder have either
secured transportation to other cities