The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-01

manned several hours before they were
rescued
Al 4 o'clock this afternoon, when the
water at the Rock Island general omces
had gone down several feet, workmen
stretched heavy wire cable across the Top
Of the pontoon bridge,
A large sand dipper was attached TO the
cable and was used TO carry people over
The Rev. Or, A, NJ Pearson. pastor OF
a North Topeka Church. was the first thus
rescued, He spent three days on the top
of his house.
His wife ard children wererescued from
there on Saturday. but he had towalt' Inc
family had only two loaves OF bread TO
eat while they we g o the o..
Fourteen passengers in a street car we're
caught in the food and were forced to climb
to the car roof. There they had to stay for
twenty-four hours
TWO DAYS IN A TREE.
woman whose name is said to be An
derson was for two days in tree win her
year.old child in her arms. she was
in plain sight of people, who we're power
less to save her
According to reports here, she finally
foil ont of sheer exhaustion and was
drowned. .
An aged couple, Mr.. and Mrs. w. N
Kepard, stood for hours in the attic OF
house and 30 horrifyng was their expert
ence that their minds gave way. II Is
said thew cannot recover. When rescuers
reached them the kepards were numb
and had to be knocked from the places
where they had perched,
Rescuers tell Of one man who had taken
refuge in a tree, and. despairing OF reaching
place Of safety, shot himself
IN CENTRAL KANSAS.
Reports from central Kansas towns
al g o'clock say that no improvement IN
river conditions has occurred to-day. Inc
Smoky Hill has fallen one inch in tlVe hours
here. At Salina it rises half an lnch an
hour. The Saline rises four inches an hour
and the Solomon two inches an hour a
cold rain has continued all day and though
the bottom lands are draining fast, more
water ia coming down from the hills
No church services were held to-day
Every business house had basement
full of water and men have been trying TO
empty them Besides, pumps have been
working in zoo residence cellars The
danger of collapsed buildings Ia passed
and the town is readjusting matters. Both
colored churches, Baptist and Methodist,
are full Of refugees who cannot yet return
home. Farmers in the valley are yet eX-
lies. The post Office fixtures have been
removed to Tufts furniture store tempo
rarily.
A Santa Fe train from the North came
within fifteen miles Of town to-day and
will get here Tuesday. No railroad COM
munication on other roads is likely for
week No mail has been received in three
DAYS. Mayor Humphrey went across the
farms east Of town to-day and rescued
several farmers.
PROMPT OFFER or AID.
Large contributions have already been
received for the benefit OF the sufferers
The amount given by Topeka citizens alone
will aggregate 500. 900 To this is TO be
added an immense quantity OF clothing
provisions and general supplies. Outside
towns have generously offered aid notable
among which is Galveston. Tex
THE FLOOD OF 1874.
George W. Martin, secretary OF the State
Historical Society. who has lived in Kansas
fortv-six years. recollects the flood marks
OF the high water Of 1874. 1t was before
| Mr.. Martins time OF course. but in the early
days the bottom lands Of Kaw Valley were
covered with trees.
The forest was particularly dense on
what is now the site Of North Topeka. and
he says the top Of the flood OF 1874 was
plainly marked on the trees. For distance
Of thirteen fee. from the ground the water
stain was distinct and the Indians said 1t
was the mark Of the food Of ls4+