The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-07
DANGER is PASSED.
Continued from First Page.)
Rock Island Bridge Damaged.


timbers gave way and the structure
went down. The Rock Island rail-
road is replacing the steel bridge over
the Kaw at Topeka with a stronger
upon after the flood last year. but the
new bridge was not completed in time
for the present high water
All the overhead portion of the
north span had been raken out pre-
paratory to replacing it with the
heavy steel. The railroad track was
supported by falsework of very heavy
timbers built underneath the bridge.
Trains passed over the structure dur
ing the afternoon. but late in the day
a wrecking outfit was run out on the
bridge and the wrecking tackle was
being used to dislodge the driftwood
when the strain became so great that
the span with the falsework went out
None of the wrecking apparatus was
lost
The falsework foated down the
river. and the workmen on the street
railway bridge were alarmed for the
safety of the pile bridge when the
heavy timbers struck, but fortunately
the current of the river carried the
big timbers through the spans straight
on and no damage was done the
bridges at Kansas avenue.
Rock Island trains are crossing the
river on the Santa Fe bridge.
Two HuRdred Pianos Moved.
Business was exceptionally good for
the piano movers Wednesday after
two hundred pianos were moved from
North Topeka to the south side dur
ing the few hours allowed them to
work yesterday afternoon.
DIR. l. A Ryder refused to let his
piano be moved at noon but before
nightfan he reconsidered and let the
piano go to place of safety and made
other preparations for high water.
The piano dealers started the work
or moving pianos Many pianos on
the north side are being paid for on
the installment plan, and the dealers,
rather than take any chances on their
being damaged by high water, began
hauling them to the south side to
store temporarily.
The string of piano wagons south
bound over the Melan bridge yester-
day afternoon was a silent testimony
of the aesthetic tastes of the citizens
of North Topeka After the flood last
year, 1T is said there was not a piano
LETT in good condition on the north
side Judging from the number of
instruments brought to the south side
the piano business must have been ex-
ceptiona1ly good In Topeka during the
past year.
WfImarth on Duty.
Fire Marshal George o. wilmarth
was one Of the watchers at the river
last night Marshal Wilmarth is tax
ing every precaution to give the citi-
Gems Of North Topeka fire protection.
He has one of the fire engines in
readiness to take to North Topeka to
be used in event the water supply is
shut off, as it was during the flood last
year.
No Hope for Street Car Bridge.
The street railway bridge across the
Kaw is damaged beyond repair, al
though it had not gone out at S o'clock
this morning Last night four sec
tons of a wagon bridge came down
the river, three of which lodged
against the piers of the wooden
bridge One section went under and
three sections which lodged against
the piers weakened them considerably
but the force of the current broke the
sections of the bridge in pieces and
this morning they had nearly all gone
on down the river.
The street railway officials have lit
tie hope of saving the structure in
tact. Cables have been fastened to
it from the piers of the Melan bridge.
Incidents of the Exodus.
At o'clock Wednesday afternoon
the real exodus from the north side
began. While during the day, num-
Der had left their homes, the great
share of the people did not go until
the water was forced up Kansas ave-
nue. from Soldier creek. Then they
stored their household treasures in
upper rooms. or gathered as much as
they could, engaged wagons and came
away The bystanders on Kansas ave-
nue. bridge heard many a sob from the
exiled. For the second time in two
years were they forced to leave their
household goods and seek refuge in
flight.
The procession was intensely sad
and at the same time it carried many
a humorous feature In the stream
one would find some woman, with her
arms loaded with a few little things
such as she had gathered up, crying
bitterly in her misfortune. By her
side her babes were dragging such
things along as their little strength
could carry. Perhaps her husband
would be driving a COW and a few
hogs in front of him-"his stock as
he called it One of the funny sights
was the hog carried across the bridge
by four little colored boys, each one
hanging on to a leg. The shoat would
not make the trip by being driven, so
the boys did the next best thing, they
lugged him over. The youngsters had
more fun than anyone and seemed to
enjoy the escapade. The spirit of
seriousness gets into youngsters. One
little boy, not more than years old
trundled along a little wagon made of
a soap box and pair of old iron
wheels, upon which was loaded his
little brother and an armfuI of bed
clothing. The little boy trudged
along manfully without looking to
right OF left, following his father and
mother, who were carrying as much
as their arms would hold. One little
colored boy was crying as If his heart
would break as he came across.
what is the natter" aswed a police
man; Il CANT fin. ma dawg." sobbed
the little fellow, AN he gwan to git
drowned" Many people carried suit
cases and travelling bags. until one
thought the Union Pacific trains had
Just disgorged a great excursion. Most
Of the transfer companies established
offices on the north side and kept men
at work in all the districts to give help
in places where it was needed first.
Many teamsters in this city used their
big dirt wagons to help such people
across as wanted to come Many of
these men worked all night and offer
ed their help to anyone. The rumbling
of the wagons as they came across the
Melan arch bridge could be heard