The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-27
BIG LOSS OF LIFE
In OHIO CAPITAL
Reports From Columbus Say
900 to 1000 Dead.
Explorations Into Flooded Dis
trict Reveal Fresh Disaster.

Columbus, March 27.-Between 600
and 1000 persons lost their lives in the
flooded West side of Columbus, accord
ing to representatives of the Columbus
Dispatch, who have just gotten into
communication with the newspaper Of
flee from the previously isolated section
of the city. This same estimate is
given by persons in charge of the relief
stations on til $1,000, west of the
flooded section.
Discoveries made this morning among
the stricken populace they say are ap-
palling.
According to those who invaded the
stricken district, the charities, big state
Institutions and store room in the hill
top section are crowded with refugees,
many of whom were rescued from the
murky waters and who tell stories of
indescribable horrors. Former Mayor
George S. Marshall, who was in tele-
phonic communication with Attorney
Cecil Randall, his law partner, said
Randall reported the death toll would
reach at least a 1000.
Throngs of excited groups of people
from the flood stricken section of the
city, who were crowded into the tenn
porary rescue quarters, asserted that
the estimate of Mr.. Randall is not ex-
aggerated =.
The true extent of the awful ira gedies
enacted during the sweeping away of
homes nor the exact death toll will not
be known for several days. until the
mass of houses are uncovered. Ih1S
mass of debris is under several feet
of water with swift currents running
in many directions.
Many of those rescued tell of escaping
from their homes by the fractions of
minutes just before the rushing waters
swept their homes away and crushed
them like egg shells against bridges
Scores of entire families, these people
assert were swept down with their
houses in the swift current.
Every available inch of space in the
Columbus state hospital for the insane
and Mount CeZmel hospital on the hill
top, is occupied by refugees, according
to those who invaded the stricken dis
trict today. Four children are reported
to have been born in a schoolhouse on
the hilltop. Fire Chief Lauer, who was
marooned on the hilltop, just beyond
the flooded section, reaching that point
of safety in his automobile just before
the waters swept the 1owlandS, SAID
he saw scores of people standing on
their porches as the waters swept
down and he cannot see how scarcely
any of them escaped.
Two Nights of Horror.
The section between Central avenue
and Sandusky street was almost
wiped out.
After two nights of horror, during
which hundreds chung to housetops
calling for help until their voices gave
way while dozens were perched in
the branches of trees, many still are
bevond the reach of the rescuers.
The cold wave that struck the sec
ton last night caused many to freeze,
lose their grip and drop into the
water With military glasses, rescuers
standing on the B. & o. railroad near
Center avenue could see several dead
forms lying on the roof OF building
to the east At the corner OF Glen |
wood and Thomas avenues the HfeleSs
form of a man was still hanging in
tree. He had frozen during the night,
as he was seen signalling for help be-
fore dark.
tory added to the horrors. J. W.
Gaver, justice of the peace at Briggs
dale swore in several deputies TO-DAY
and armed them with instructions to
Fourth Ohio National Guard, at
Narysville, assumed guard duty
around the stricken district today;
Relief trains from MarysVllie anu
London, bearing food and clothing,
relieved the situation in the refugee
quarters in the hilltop, where hun |
dreds of homeless are awaiting news
from relatives Relief work Thurs |
daV was directed toward rescuing
$50 from the marooned plant of the |
Sun Manufacturing company OF
which they had been for two days
without food. One boat which got
within haiIing distance and was stop /
ped by the swirling current was in
formed that conditions were terrible
Estimates of a heavy loss of life in
the extreme west side are based upon |
stories told by the hundreds of res
cued, and by scenes witnessed by the |
rescuers who have been working con- |
tfnuously with rough boats for forty |
hours.
The break in the levees near Cen |
trail avenue washed everything before |
it. According to refugees from that |
section, there is not a house standing /
on Glenwood avenue, and many of the /
parallel streets are almost completely |
denuded of buildings.
The information came from the ma /
rooned chief operator of the Bell COM
pany He said a temporary morgue |
had been established in the United |
Brethren church and that he could
see many bodies as they were carried