Omaha daily bee., 1906-05-01
RAIN SOAKS THE REFUGEES
TsmPestuOus Elements Seem to Pursue
0alifOnians with Relentless Vigor
Relief TENTS FARE BAD IN STORM
Last Special Train of These UnfOr-
Inmates Has Come, but Regular
Trains VIII Garry scatter
ing Groups.

California refugees fleeing from the de-
vastation wrought by tempestuous elements
ran into another riot OF conditions, on an
Infinitely smaller scale, at Union station
yesterday, when rain falling in torrents,
and hail desolated the tents erected for
their benefit
The large crowd which came in about
noon was well cared for and then the rain
began to fall in torrents. with the result
that the nurses, women and doctors were
well soaked. Tsrpauins and canvas and
cots were put over the supplies as far as
they went, but the evening rain. and hail
completely flooded everything. The rain
and water went through the tents in great
streams. About thirty refugees were still
in the tents waiting for the evening trains,
and these, as well the women, were forced
to stand on the tables to keep their feet
dry
Lunches had been prepared for seventy
six on the Rock Island train and 1903 on
Union Pacific train No. 8. These had been
put I'm bags and were kept dry until the
arrival of the trains, when they were given
20 the people on the cars and in the depot.
The relief committee fed 7S4 Monday and
gave clothing to a large number of these.
Many also were cared for by the nurses
and doctors. Those fed Monday make
grand total OF 1857 who have been fed
since the camp was started.
New Problem to Face.
A different proposition now confronts the
relief committee From present indications
no more full relief trains will come
through, but many will come in on every
regular train from the west and these
must have attention. Superintendent Nor
ris is figuring on some plan to divide the
work among the women so that some will
meet and prepare lunches for those coming
in on each train.
Mr.. Morris has made arrangements with
the railroad companies to wire him the
number of people who will want meals in
Omaha and also the medical needs OF the
refugees on the various trains
| A special train bearing refugees arrived
on the Union Pacific at 1918 Monday morn
ing, and in spite OF the drizziing rain many
Of the faithful women of the city were on
the faithful wsmen of the city were on
hand to see that they had plenty to eat,
and TO .fit out the needy with clothes.
Omaha and Evanston for me, = said one
Of the unfortunates. THAT was a little
town, but they sat us down to a meal
that would have made a man think he was
in a swell motel. We have bad plenty
! to eat all along the long journey, but the
thoughtfulness of the Omaha people in
providing us with a change Of clothing IL
most commendable. Some OF the people
have not been able to change their un-
derwear and stockings, since they. first put
them on when aroused from their SUM
| beers by the earthquake"
The City Steam laundry sent down a
whole wagonload of unclaimed clothing,
| and the shirts and socks and handkerchiefs
were most acceptable. This laundry also
undertook to wash a wagonload of shirts
' and clothing which had become soiled by
the rains of the last three days
! Little Comedy Enacted.
A little comedy was thrown into the sit
,. uation at the relief tents Monday morn
| ing when NJ. Ball and b. jacobson, two
| partners in the hotel business at 290 Powell
street, San Francisco, who lost their hotel
and all their belongings by fire, except a
grip Of good clothes which Ball had been
able to get out of the burning buildings,
met They went into the hospital tent to
get a pair Of socks apiece and sat their
| grip near the door. One of the nurses.
| thinking this was grip of clothing which
had been sent down, emptied the contents
onto the clothing pile. Two of the suits
were new and had never been worn
and worth $50 a piece These were i'm.
mediately chosen by some in need of cloth
4 ing who then went out. Ball and Jacob
son returned for their grip and found II
| empty. They Immediately put up a howl
| and a search was made with the result the
nurse remembered giving out the suits
Detective Dummy went into the refugee
camp for the clothes and succeeded In
finding one suit. Ball and Jacobson were
good natured about the matter and were
soon ftted out with new shirts and cloth.
ing to replace those lost.
Shoes are scarce article and many pairs
could be used to advantage. Some OF the
men and women coming in have theil
shoes all burned and are badly lin need
Of covering for their feet.
The Northwestern took out 100 on a spe
cial train and the rest will leave on th'
Milwaukee this evening. Omaha supplied
| lunches for those going on the special and
the Northwestern win see they are pro
vided with coffee TO go with the lunches
which will be distributed by the trair
crew.
Three-fourths Of the arrivals here wer'
women and children the action Of th'
railroad oficials in preferring these begin
ming to tell.
Funds Gradually Enlarged.
In the stress Of the city election Sar
Francisco relief AFFAIRS locally have rather
sagged and just now about the only meas
ures being taken to feed and care FOL
the thousands Of refugees who are passlni
through Omaha on their way east
The total funds paid in up TO noon Mon
day was t96. s99 .Os. according TO statements
furnished by Treasurer Drake. OF thi
amount S26. 100. 4S was reported Friday. TIT
additional subscriptions are as follows:
Carpenter Paper company 1000
Citizens of Ithaca, Neb-.............. $50
Benson public schools. 10. Z
| J. KeYOtte .,..g................ so
| Lewis Berka .................... so
w T. Masterman & Co............... $50
Il NJ NJ . n