The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-27
HEAVY TOLL OF
INDIANA FLOODS

Flood conditions in indianapolis and
Indiana at daybreak had improved
little. if any, in the last "a hours. No
definite details of the number of dead
and injured and the enormous prop
erty loss were yet available. Conflict
ing reports placed the number of dead
between 200 and 1000, the homeless
and those neediD~ hospital attention
at $4,000 and the damage to property
at millions of dollars. Practically the
entire railroad and traction interests
suffered, not only from StOppage of
traffic but also from destruction of
property.
Governor Samuel NJ. RalstOn late
yesterday issued proclamation call
ing upon the citizens of the state to
come to the aid of the flood sufferers
cal relief committee was organized in
this city and is providing food and
shelter for all in need. Public halls
and school buildings are being con-
verted into sleeping and eating quar-
ters. Hugh DOu9herty, banker of
indianapolis, was designated by Gov
ernOr RalSton in his proclamation to
act as trustee of the state funds to be
used to relieve suffering in the state
at large.
The crest of the flood was reached
here yesterday, according to the Sec
ton director of the United States
weather bureau, and a gradual fall
was expected. On account of the i'm
mense volumes of overflow water ii
was believed several days would elapse
before anything like normal conditions
could preyaVil.
Throughout the state flood condi-
tions in an indefinite way were sum-
married. as follows:
IndianapoIiS-EStim of lives
lost. from 10 to 100. Thousands of
homeless; street Car service suspend
ed: city water shut off and other pub
lie service corporations greatly ham
pered.
Peru-Lives lost. 20 to 200; hum
damage.
BrookviIIe-Twenty dead; heavy
property loss; a large number in need
of assistance.
RushvilIe, Fort Wayne. Richmond,
KOkOmo. LOganSport, 1'erre Haute,
Marion. COnnerSville, Lafayette, Mum
Gle, Anderson and several other towns
reported loss of life and heavy loss of
property.
The greater part of the population
of Peru was huddled together in
cramped quarters in the upper part of
buildings awaiting assistance. The en-
tire popuIace of BroOkvflle was quar-
tered in the courthouse and school
buildings. Even the residents of the
higher sections of the city abandoned
their homes as a matter of precau-
ton.
- The water has fallen four feet in Peru
since yesterday, but the current is
so swift on Canton street and in
South Peru it is impossible to investi-
gate in rowboats the district, as it is
almost certain there occurred a heavy
loss of life. Men are waiting for the
time when they can invade the region
where it believed many families were
trapped in their homes. There is an
unverified report that eight were
drowned on Eighth street last night
xUhn
More than 80 cases of diphtheria,
measles and mumps have dveloped
among destitute children. 1t will be
weeks before the waterworks resumes
and pure water is available.
Eight carloads of provisions arrived.
One carload was sent to near South
Peru, the first relief the 1000 residents
there have had. Nothing is known OF
their situation, which must be mater
tally worse than here. Two expert
oarsmen, who started for South Peru,
have not been heard from.
A rumor today that the court house,
which has been the home of 1000 per-
sons since Monday night, was to be
quarantinued, sent the people into the
street once more without shelter
There are 500 persons at the Bears
hotel, where the only fire is CRATE
in the lobby. Only two meals a day
are serVed