The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-06-04
IS OUT OF FLOOD
Des Moines Emerges From Water
but is Disheartened.

Des Moines, June 2.-The local
Hood waters have receded enough to
be confined in the river channels, but
receding they left behind enormous
ponds within the dykes, which will
have to be pumped out, ond even then
threaten the city with an epidemic of
feyers worse than the epidemic of
pneumonia and kindred diseases with
which more than 200 of the food suf-
ferers are even now afflicted. The
rivers have gone down between four
and five feet and no longer run over
the dykes.
1t became apparent to the authori-
ties that the worst Of the flood was
not in the excessive high waters
themselves, but in the after effects. 1t
is estimated that thousands Of the
homeless will be care upon the city
for six weeks or longer. A fund of
$4,000 has been raised by private sub
scription. Mayor Brenton refused
eastern aid
Train service into the city was par
TALLY resumed yesterday afternoon.
Trains arrived from the west but had
difficulty in crossing the bridges, while
the grades and bridges east and south
of the city were in very bad contition.
The Northwestern, which has had lit
tie trouble, continued to run into the
city. The Rock Island resumed most
Of its service yesterday, and the Great
Western also. The railroad people
say that if the water continues to go
down so that work can be done on the
grades the service will be entirely re-
stored on all roads before Thursday.
The food waters receded sufficient
ly today so that many of the South
Des Moines victims were able to creep
back to their desolate homes. The
wide expanse of water disappeared,
leaving behind a district covered with
debris and mud. The floors and walls
of homes were blackened as a result
of the floods visit, and there was moth
ing left which might offer the slight
est semblance of comfort to those who
had been driven out by the treacher-
Gus river. Here and there men could
be seen pulling goods from their
homes and preparing for the cleaning
out. Women were detected by the
sight of the few things they had own
ed in the world scattered about in the
mud, and though all we're thankful
that the water had gone there were
few happy faces. The price had been
too great. ...
The state executive council discuss
ed the food situation and the calling
of a special session of the legislature.
1t was decided neither to have an ex-
ira session of the assembly or to ap-
propriate funds for distribution among
the suffering communities of the state.
All CT the public service corpora
tions were able to announce yesterday
afternoon that the receding flood had
saved their plants, and that the gas,
electric and water supplies will not be
cut off. The street car company i'm
provised machinery during the two
days it's plant was under water, and
yesterday afternoon started meager
street car service.
Committees appointed by Governor
Cummins established headquarters in
every part of the flooded districts, as
early as Friday, and yesterday the
charitable people Of the city had filled
large depots with clothing while the
city and county treasures were
thrown open for the purchase Of food.
Between 5000 and 5000 persons are
homeless, and dependent upon the
public for food and lodging. They are
being housed in the churches and
school buildings until the water leaves
their homes.
When the flood, which was the high
est in the history of Iowa, began to
recede yesterday morning the extent
of the damage it had done could be
appreciated, though not accurately es-
timated. That the damage exceeded
a half million dollars was apparent.
Many business men believe that 1t
will exceed $1,OO0,0O0. Had the wat
er remained at the height at which it
stood Friday the loss would not have
exceeded 100000. The extra foot
and a half of water was what did the
business.
" The time for fighting the advance
of the water into the homes and busi-
ness district of the city having passed
and the water having its own sweet
will to go and come, the energy of the
whole city was devoted to relief of the
suffering homeless yesterday.
L. A. coBURN DEAD.