Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-12
Three Thousand Refugees Sheltered


HAST ST. LOUIS. June l1.-That the
crtsis Of the food situation has passed so
far as this city Is concerned was generally
recognized by the citizens of East St. Louis
tonight. Boat crews which yesterday
strained their energies in rescuing tho vic
Tins today occupied themselves in saving
property and in bringing to higher ground
belated refugees who previously had not be-
lieved themselves in immediate danger.
Since the disastrous break in the Illinois
Central levee the flood has made no dan
gsrous breaks, although a portion of the
Baltimore & Ohio embankment gave way
last night and the flood area was further
increased by seepage today.
Tonight water continues to seep through
Broadway In four places. flooding the low
land between that street and Missouri
avenue, the next street north, with from
two to six feet of water. This section OF
the mood extends between the two streets
/, for miles. interrupted occasionally by en-
bankments. Some water has also found its
way into the territory between Missouri
b avenue and st. Louis avenue. People in
this district. however. have not been COM
PEELED 10 leave their homes although it is
necessary for them to use boats to obtain
food. and In many cases drink. break in
the Broadway embankment such as was
made in the Illinois Central levee would re-
suit in great property loss and probably the
sacrifice of lives, but with the river sta.
tiOnary, as 1t is tonight, at 37.S. the prob
ability Of a recession and the proved
strength of the embankment. such a
calamity is merely guarded against but
Rot expected.
With the stress OF the situation relieved
II was possible today to make a survey OF
the flooded district. A trip OF several mile.
showed only a picture OF Kansas City and
Topeka over again-an endless vista OF de
serted second stories of houses, OF perhap,
just their roofs. with the perspectiv,
heightened here and there by brick publ,
buildings and factories looming secur,
above the waters.
In some OF the larger buildings peopl,
were still living, subsisting on food brought
TO them in skiffs. but the picture as a Who'll,
was one OF disaster. and the calm which
told OF its completeness.
Property Loss stIm Unknown.
No one could be found today with any
thing like a definite idea OF the propert,
loss. Vague mention OF millions OF dol
lars" was the nearest even the best in
formed citizens could come TO H. Ther,
was general disposition. however {,
accept minimum reports OF loss OF life
rather than the stories originating in IN,
excitement OF the moment when the Zoo,
poured In. one prominent undertake
averred that there had been no loss O
life directly In the food although Their
had been deaths due indirectly to the over
flow. There were no reports Of drowning
today. No bodies were recovered
The chief work today was that of carini
for the refugees. This the citizens OF Eas
St. Louis, led by Mayor Cook. Colonel Cul
yer, Of the Fifth Illinois infantry Nationa
Guard. Congressman Rodenburg and other
are doing with an energy which seem
tireless. The supply Of food seems ample
but the refugees still in the city woul,
have been more comfortable tonight Ia,
they had more bedding. still with the SUD
ply being recovered from submerged house
by their owners, and the contribution
made by citizens OF this city and 81
Louis. No. IL is believed that this nee,
will be supplied by tomorrow night.
During the morning the mayor pro
claimed martial law and ordered an III
saloons closed. II was found before nigh
however, that this order OF things, neces
stating as Il did the issuing OF permit
for visiting threatened portions OF N
city. and for other purposes, was workin
a hardship on many citizens and the dis
cipline was relaxed 10 allow free com