Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-27
FLOODS SDBhERGE
CITY Of AUGUSTA
Residents Compelled to Flee to
Hills For Safety and Property
Loss is Enormous
MANY. RESCUED IN BOATS
Twelve Persons Drowned So Far
: AS known-Every Store and Busi-
ness House Under Water-south
/ Carolina Submerged in Many Sec
tions and Farming Losses Millions.

Augusta, Ca, via HarrlSonville, Ga,
Aug. 27.-It is not yet possible to give
an estimate of the financial loss re-
sulting from the flood in Augusta The
flooded district is bounded by Fifteenth
street on the west to the extreme east-
ern boundary of the city. An idea of
the loss may be gathered, however.
when it is taken into consideration that
every business house, bank and store
is submerged in from four to nine feet
of water, and nearly all the residence
portion, including the fashionable dis
trict of Green street, and all its
churches are in from three to six feet
OF water.
With last nights fires, cessation from
business until the city RECEIVERS itself,
and damage to stocks of goods of all
kinds, it is thought the loss will go
well above the half million mark.
Only Three Persons Drowned.
I So far as known today only three
persons were drowned. Reports Of cap
sizing of boats in the swift current
were received, but further loss Of life
is not confirmed. There is a great
deal Of suffering among the poorer
classes of whites and negroes, who
occupied houses nearest the low lands.
It was one OF the worst floods in
the history of the city, The sudden
rise threw the city into confusion.
The weather bureau issued "a flood
warning, saying that the river would
reach a height of between thirty-fve
and thirty seven feet, but this predic-
tion was exceeded by several feet.
Flood Came Suddenly.
The river rose suddenly to between
forty and forty-five feet, while the
danger line was at thirty three. When
the river began to rise, people could
be seen going thru the streets with
what little bedding and other things
they could hurriedly carry on their
backs. Women were seen with, chill
dren in their arms making their way
to higher places, and men were driving
livestock. Thousands Of people, how
ever, went to bed Tuesday night with
the thought that they would awake in
time to escape the food, but greatly
to their surprise they awoke to find
themselves surrounded by water and
cut OFF from escape except by boat.
,Boatmen Charge High Prices.
Those who possessed boats were
quick to see the opportunity and at
once began to charge exorbitant prices
for moving the unfortunates caught
In perilous positions. Many people in
attempting to swim from their homes
or places Of business. to points of van
tage lost their footing and only saved
themselves from the rushing torrent
by catching tree limbs or anything else
they could get hold of. It is reported
that g number were caught in these
positions, and when boatmen. passed
near enough to be hailed, would refuse
to 20 to their assistance unless assured
of being paid unreasonable fees.
Operators Driven Out.
At the western Union telegraph Of
fee when water bes to rise many
operators left for ths homes. Five
remained, however, but yley soon were
compelled to seek safety in the cham
ber of commerce building, where the
wires were found still intact. and they
were In communication with Atlanta
about midnight. At daybreak today the
operators is this building reported the
water had fallen four and one-half
anches since midnight.
At the Postal Telegraph office the
operating force was forced to desert
the Office when the water reached the
top of the operating tables.
The water is falling rapidly, and the
streets will be clear by evening All
danger. thruout the flood district. is
past.
Dozen Deaths Reported.
It is reported that,a dozen deaths re-
suited from drowning yesterday and
today.