The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-04-01
Thrilling.
EXPERIENCE
Had By Mrs DuanIck Al Day
Ton During Flood
Got 10 Hotel Just As The
Water Rushed In
Was Comfortably Located with
Plenty Of Food
Bat Witnessed Horrible Sights
On All Sides
Had considerable Difficulty
Getting Iitk u Columbus

Mrs. Sarah Dunnick Of East Gam.
bier street, who has been marooned
In Dayton during the flood period, re-
turned to Mt. Vernon Saturday morn
ing safe and sound. but with vivid
impression, not soon to be forgotten.
Of the lurid and narrowing scenes
through which she has just passed.
Her escape was little short Of miracu-
lous. It being one Of those odd tricks
Of the nckle Fates which we term
good luck"
Mrs. Dunnick, bound for st. Louis,
left Columbus Monday night at e:45.
arriving in Dayton about 1896 .. m.
The firsk intimation Of anything wrong
came toaMrs. Dunnick wken she heard
a siren baow' and two shots ,nred. The
porter announced that all passengers
must hasten up to the station. There
was . scramble in which Mrs. Dunnick
left 4 sa&chel In her upper berth.
The rising waters could alresAy be
discerned from the station which ID cit
uated In the lowlands. This fact cans-
ed Mrs., Dunnick much apprshehsion
so she determined to seek . higher
level and. accordingly. walked up
street To the Algonquin hotel whers
she registered. On turning to 90 out
doors again. she was astounded to see
the waters rolling by in great torrents
in front Of the hotel where she had
been walking but q few minutes before.
The water was rising at the rate Of q
foot an hour.
All Of the guests Of the hotel were
quartered above the second floor so
that the ten-foot wall Of water around
the hotel might not reach them, Mrs.
Dunnick occupying room on the
eighth floor. The hotel maintained
splendid service all during this per-
iod, serving two meals day of whole
some and substantial food to all Of
the 800 guests and the food refugees
who were brought there in great num-
bers.
Wednesday night the climax of the
flood came and It was then that the
Algonquin guests experienced their
first qualms. Fires had broken out
all over the city and there was one In
the immediate vicinity of the hotel,
Mrs. Dunnick being able to read q
newspaper by it's flames at two o'clock
in the morning. The hotel was In
inky darkness, there being neither gas
nor electricity, Ill heat had been shut
on and the only light available was
cast by the rays Of . meager supply
of wax candles. Under these gloomy
conditions. Mrs. Dunnick sat up most
Of the night II.
Thursday was but repetition Of the
horrors Of Wednesday, intensified by
the number, of dead bodies. human be-
ings and animals. seen floating around
In the streets. Hs l.
Early Friday morning the waters BE-
gan to recede and Mrs. Dunnick was
able towalk down to the station. There
she found that the waters had com.
pletely submerged the many trains
held UP there, passing over the roofs
of thestallest OF the cars. Mrs. Dun
ynick's satchel. rescued By the porter
as soon ~ aaypossible and carried TO the
telegraph station was completely wat
er soaked and all Of its contents ron
dered practically Worthless.
Two trains were run out OF Dayton
Friday morning. Having secured
pass to set out of the city, which Il
under martial law, Mrs. DunnicI
walked ssyen squares east to the edgs
of town and there boarded the secont
Of these trains which arrived In Ken
10 at supper time. There was som'
delay here owing to the unsettled con
ditiou of the road through to Spring
Held. Finally the traln started an,
iaaAeA its passengers. consisting 0
eight aea and one other woman Il
addition . Ars. Dunnlck. three mile
from the state hospital at Columbus .
about II o'clock. With the dreary pros
pect OF walking this remaining dii
taace Ill started when suddenly
large automobile hove Into view AM