Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1903-06-12
SCRAPS FROM FEARFUL TALE
Topeka Citizens Raised 100000
To Start Aid.
OTHER CITIES AS GENEROUS.

Topeka, Juno s.--Thc flood began
falling at 8 o'clock Sunday morning
and in ten hours it had gone down
eight inches. A merciful rain fell,
quenching the fire which ragged in the
stricken district. People on roofs and
in trees were drenchcd to the skin. and
they suffered intensely from cold, but
they were saved from the flames. Only
death from drowning confronted them.
The rescue committee decided to
leave the refugees in the strong build
ings till the flood recedes to the Kaw
river channel. Dry clothing sufficient
for Immediate needs has been sent to
them in boats
Congressman Charles Curtis who res
.cued his mother, paid two negroes 500
to rescue his wife's parents from house
in a suburb.
Fear is expressed that Topeka will
run short of provisions. The Wolff
Packing company is flooded and most
Oh Ltlc mIlIb dut WuOtCohiO hOuSSS 49, -
similarly situated. The gardens, truck
farms and poultry yards which supply
the city are swept away. There
is not a pound of ice in the city, nor Is
there sufficient supply of milk, for
the daircs are cut off by the banl1-full
creeks which empty into the Kaw.
There are seventy cases of scarlet
fever and measles among the 5000
refugees now quartercd in the halls
and churches OF Topeka proper.
On Kansas avenue, north of the
river, the water in some places is up to
the awnings. Through all the dis
comforting condition of affairs was
added the presence of cold dismal
rain. The ardor of the rescue work OF
the heroic rcscuers was not abated
in the least by the conditions which
confronted them. For long, dreary
hours, knee. deep in water and some
lime in water up to their neclss, they
worked with might and main. Tonight
they can proudly point to 800 or more
rescued ones who might have been
swept away in the current.
Two little steam launches are cruis-
ing up and down the river, picking up
some survivors. A large steamboat is
expected here by II special train on the
Rock Island within twenty-four hours
il possible to run train.
A trainload of small boats were in
use Sunday. but they were useless in
battling against the mighty current.
Large con tributions have already
y been received for the benefit of the
y survivors. The amount given by To
peka citizens alone will aggregate
500, 10 this is to be added an
immense quantity of clothing, pro-
visions and general supplies. Outside
towns have generously offered and
notable among them is Galveston, Tex.
Wichita, June 2.-Bulletins have just
appeared here stating that there is six
feet of water in the waiting room OF
the Union depot at Kansas City.
The streets of Armourdale, Argen'
tine, Riverview and the lowland north
of the packing houses wero covered by
water eight to ten feet deep: also Har'
lem, the east bottoms and Sheffield.
The stock yards are under deep water
Topeka, June 9.-Thc rescue parties
work day and night. Saturday night
was terrible. Many had not TASTED
food for forty-eight Tours. The people
huddled together on bare floors, and
children cried piteously for something
to cat A few staid their hunger with
wheat found floating in the mills. Two
boats loaded with provisions for the
sufferers were launched at midnight
but they were swamped and the boat