Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-05
INVESTIGATION
OF FOAMH0RROR
|SN0WPLA|,,;;'i;:;;i; Il;
Visit Of Governor Tenor to
Austin Strengthens Opin-
ion That State Will Fix
Responsibility for Flood.

IL, I d.
rain Gov. John X. Tenor. who arrived
here last night from Harrisburg. start
ed today on his tour OF inspection of
the destroyed district, includig the
dam OF the Bayliss Pulp & Paper Co.,
the going out Of which resulted in the
death, distress and privation which
has ovcrspread this village.
Stronger than ever this morning was
the general opinion that the governors
visit indicated that the state officials
are looking over the situation with a
view of ascertaining their authority in
conducting an investigation as to the
liability and responsibility for the con-
dition of the dam.
It is positively asserted by General
Frederick w. Fletizer, vice president
of the water supply commission, that
at no time was the state made cog
infant Of the character, repair or con-
dition Of the dam. 1t has been said
that at the time the dam was repaired
year or more ago state engineer
hau inspected, 1t at the request Of the
company, and his report was that 1t
was unsafe. "This report" General
Fletizer says, "is untrue. The state
has never been consulted in this con-
nection."
Dead Buried With Little Ceremony.
Aside from the governors sojourn,
the situation early today assumed the
routine of clearing away wreckage.
the search for more bodies and renew
ed efforts to get men, not only as lab
orers, but as cooks whose services are
sorely needed. The replenishing of
food, too, Is taxing the energies of the
commissary as well as the railroads.
The seventeen nurses from the state
dispensary have been worked almost
to the limit OF their strength, having
been forced to do dut~ at the morgue
as well as cook and serving at the
commissary, because the necessary
help has been unobtainable. There
has been q remarkable absence OF
ceremony in the burial of the dead.
There are no carriages or vehicles be-
yond one undertaker's wagon. In
some instances when body is turned
over to relative simple service Is
read and the casket Is borne to one
of the two little cemeteries by half
dozen friends. Several of the bodies
have been shipped away to other
towns or cities to be buried by rela-
tives.
A strict guard is still kept on the in
coming roads and none is allowed to
pass without authority. Incoming
trains carry only necessary baggage
or freight. and passenger coaches are
locked at Keating Summit to keep the
idle curious from crowding aboard and
coming to Austin.
Gov. Tenor left Austin at o'clock.
Upon his return from the trip of In
spection he said he had gone over
much Of the destroyed section and
visited the hospital, where he spoke
words of cheer to the injured. The
governor said:
'I am more than ever convinced that
the states experience at Johnstown
and the destruction of this place de-
mand legislation that will give the
state control over all these dams and
the surrounding conditions.
commissioner Dixon with his aids
has done all that Is possible, and II 1t
is necessary Highway Commissioner
Bigelow will place his entire force at
Commissioner Dixon's disposal for the
relief Of Austin"
Gov. Tenor would not discuss the
matter of the investigation, which 1t
is now thought will not be begun until
after the inquest.