The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-07

AS a matter of fact Chief wilmarth
had a report which was dated and Civ
en- out yesterday which warned those
in this locality to look for a four or five
foot rise in the Kaw. The danger
which that report was intended to COW
er, was passed at this point during the
night.
Fire Marshal wilmarth said this
morning:
s;After a talk with City Engineer
James F. McCabe this morning 1 de-
cided that warning should be given to
the people of North Topeka to move
away from their homes, and L there
fore had the fire bell at No. 2 station
rung.
Il spent nearly the whole night
driving around North Topeka, keep
ing watch of the conditions. On re-
turning there this morning, 1 found
that considerable current had set in
from the west, and shortly after
found City Engineer McCabe, who in
formed me that the river was coming
over the bank at Kuehne's pickle fac
tory in a stream four feet deep and
40 feet wide. / also had the bulletin
issued Wednesday by T. B. Jennings.
reach Topeka by Thursday night. TAX
ing these two things together, I con-
cluded that it would be better to give
the people warning.
Il also ordered the newly rebuilt
steam fire engine to North Topeka, to
be used for fire duty in case the north
approach to the Melan bridge should
go out, carrying with it the water
mains"
Director Jennings has not an
nounced any four foot rise in the Kan
sas river coming today, or tomorrow
for that matter, and Chief Wilmarth's s
error arose from the fact that he read
on the weather map issued Wednes-
day by the weather bureau that a rise
of four or five feet might be expected
in the Kansas river by Thursday night
Inc fve foot rise, and more. came
as announced "by Thursday and it
was here in full force by O'Clock
this Thursday morning. The gov
ernment forecaSter did not mean to
announce tht there would be an en-
core and another rise on Thursday
and today's map says nothing about
any rise The fact that the govern
ment weather bureau officials expect
ed four or five foot rise was an
nounced in the State Journal Wednes-
day. The maps are issued every week
day and one was issued today. The
weather maps are complicated to
those who do not understand them
thoroughly, but although they look
like Chinese war bulletins, they can
be translated. Chief Wilmarth read
the map a day late.
By 2:30 o'clock this afternoon the
backwater from Soldier creek had
fallen at least three inches since noon
and was receding rapidly. A foot from
the edge of the water on the streets
were small pieces of drift showing
conelusively that the water was fall
ing Points on Kansas avenue which
were impossible this morning showed
dry this afternoon. This fact coupled
with authoritative statements that the
river itself was falling rapidly, in
duced several families to go back to
their homes.
Returning to Homes.
Late this afternoon quite a number
of people were seen Juggling back
across the bridge the personal effects
which they had brought with them in
the general exodus last night.
1t is expected that the back water
Will go down even more quickly than
il rose. and unless heavy local rains
swell Soldier creek tonight that by to-
morrow noon il will be possible to go
to most of the points in North Topeka
on foot Late this afternoon the people
felt very confident of a quick recession
of the water and little fear of trouble
was held out. No accidents of any
kind were reported to the fire sta
ton in North Topeka either during last
night or today. The station is prac-
tcally the headquarters on the North
side for aid to flood sufferers.
Room at Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army has volunteered
to give aid and shelter to the North