The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-07-15
DISASTROUS FLOOD
VISITS SIOUX CITY
THE DEAD.

.- ~ M
LEE BESTCHER, a driver for the
Bekin Van and Storage compaI%S FELL
into the creek, while posing for a
BARNEY coNLIN, fell off Water
street bridge.
While assisting the street gang
to clear away the debris under the
West Third street bridge In q hope
that the bodies Of an unknown
child and seevral men reported to
have been drowned during h
early hours Of the morning, might
be found, Barney Conlin, foreman
OF the street gang and a brother
inlaw Of Tom Ford, street commits
sioner, lost his balance and fell
Into the stream and was drowned,
about 1855 o'clock this afternoon.
Mr.. Conlin, a long pike pole In
his hand, had just snagged q piece
OF timber and was trying to dis
lodge II from under the bridge,
when the hundreds OF spectators
saw him tumble into h water and
carried under the bridge by the
suction of the raging stream.
Sioux City, Ia, July l3.--Death
and destruction followed the worst
Perry creek flood in the history Of
Sioux City Saturday. So far as re-
history Of Sioux City. So far as re-
" NSo v WSLO AO0NgH u 10
rowly escaped death by drowning and
damage to property and merchandise
amounting to almost $780, 900 was done!
From out OF a clear sky, h bolt Of
disaster fell. Sleeping citizens were
aroused at about 2 o'clock this morn
ing by members of the police and fire
departments and cautioned that the
crest Of the Hood was near. All wers
warned to flee for their lives and to
leave all behind.
Household goods and that which
made for fortune and everyday life
were deserted, and like rats in a trap.
hundreds of men, women and children,
crying, confused and crushed by the
awful fate awaiting them, rushed pell-
NELL in the night and through the on
rushing waters to high ground and
safety. ..
Brave Firemen Rescue Many.
Firemen, acting under orders from
Chief George M. Kellogg, rushed hither
and thither rescuing people from build
ings in the vicinity of fire ~headquar-
tiers, and had 1t not been for quick
work on their part some 20 roomers In
Professor Carr's negro hotel would
have either been drowned or crushed to
death under the building when 1t foil
into the creek. ..g q.
All along Perry creek to the city
limits. the first floor of residences are
Inundated ana the loss to furnishings
! Will run into the thousands of dollars.
1t seemed that business was practi-
cally suspended and every person was
vieing with each other In their efforts
to rescue residents who had been
caught W in their homes.
Buggies, drays, automobiles and men
on horse back plunged into h seeth-
ing stream and carried persons who
had been made prisoners In their
homes, many thrilling incidents mark
ing their rescue.
Men, women and children were res
cued from buildings along Water street
by the men in Chief Dineen's boat,
while hundreds Of others, panic strick-
en- by the sudden rise Of Perry creek,
were forced to wade In water neck deep
IN order to ave themselves.
During the greater part of the day
the majority Of those In the residence
districts were without food or warmth
or illumination. Whole families were
compelled to rush to upper floors, and
In many instances women and children
were lifted from ground floor windows
by strong and willing arms and car.
ried to safety. $50.