The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-06-02
ALL NORTH Topeka May BLAZE.
About $50 People Lead, Nest Of Them Burned
to Death.
(By the Associated Press.

Wy liz ASSoCldISu 1851
Topeka, Kan. May 30.-Four hundred
houses have burned in North Topeka and
that whole section Of the city Will be
burned.
AS far as can be learned about 80 per
sons are dead. Most of these were burned
to death.
Burning houses are floating about, set
ting fire to others. The lower story OF
the burning buildings contain ten feet of
water. The current is so strong that no
boat can approach any OF the burning
buildings. People are gathered on the
tops of houses and will meet death either
by fire or drowning. The cries 1or help
can be distinctly heard a mile away. The
whole city is wildly excited because no
aid can be extended to the sufferers.
The river at North Topeka IS five miles
wide. No possible estimate of the finan-
cial loss IS ~obtainable, but it can be stated
that it Will reach into the millions.
North Topeka YVES the manufacturing
district of the city. Three large flour
mills, three wooden mills and other man
uftscturing enterprises are entirely de-
stroyed. The water supply of the whole
city has been cut off. The water of the
river extends nearly a mile on the south
side. TIL Rock Island depot has been
abandoned, and more than 500 people on
this side of the river are also homeless
but no loss Of life has resulted in South
Topeka. The Kansas avenue bridge is
the only one across the river for miles
and the approaches to that bridge are
flooded by thirty feet of water. A pom
toon bridge is being erected, in an effort
to reach the sufferers.
Seven thousand or more people are on
this side of the river sheltered in the
public buildings. Topeka is now able to
take care of all the unfortunates. The
work of caring for the refugees is being
pushed with the utmost rapidity.
EIGHTY FIRES BLAZING.
From the State House dome as many
as eighty fires can be counted in different
parts Of North Topeka. The entire CEN
t1ol portion of the city had been burned
out at ten o'clock tonight, and
it is safe to say that by morning not a
house in the main part of North Topeka
will be left standing. When it is stated
that North Topeka has 10, 900 inhabitants
the extent of the disaster can be realized.
People are sticking to the roofs OF houses
and to trees and many are giving up IN
despair and dropping into the water be-
low to be carried away by the swift
current. 1t is death by fire or drowning
to four hundred people, unless means can
be found for their rescue. Great efforts
are being made to construct a steam
launch to go to the aid of the sufferers,
and whatever is lone must be done
promptly or the loss Of life will be APP
palling.
A. p. Baldwin, who, at great risk OF
his life, crossed in a boat to the north
Id 4,,x@l 141 ~..1 o-i
that nothing can possibly be lone to save
the city from burning. Miss lola Trout
man, sister of former L;eutenant-Gover
nor Troutman, was rescued with her aged
father late tonight. The two people had
spent the entire day on the roof of their
house and were just about to drop into
the water when aid came.
Chief Of Police Golf, Thomas Page and
A. c. Holman, all of prominent families
OF the n~Orthslde. are among the victims.
Mayor Bergumathla was rescued by DR.. l..
L. Howell in a boat after remaining in a
boat all night. Congressman Charles
Curtis with his family left the flooded dis
trict this morning but his aged mother
refused to go, saying she had seen much
worse floods than this. This evening two
men at the risk of their own lives sue
coeded In getting the old lady away safely
Mrs. A. F.. Snyder, with her four c1il.
dren, all stricken with measles, were res
cued.
Many thrilling escapes are told. A com
pany Of militia has taken charge of the
work of rescue and owing to the1f effort
several hundred people have been saved
who otherwise would have perished.
The situation of the beleaguered people
tonight is desperate in the extreme. Not