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

With Ohio rivers and streams SUBJ
siding today, the state emerged from
the greatest flood it has ever known.
The loss of life has been heavy; the
full extent will not be known until the
waters have receded.
When the fun account is made it Is
believed the total death list for the
state will run well over 1000 and that
the property damage will amount to
100000.
Dayton is the worst afflicted of the
many cities swept by the floods. Not
only has the death loss from drowning
been extremely heavy, but fire which
ragged unchecked early this morning
threatened to destroy the business sec
dOns.
George f. Burba, private secretary
to Governor Cox. made hazardous
trip to Dayton and last night reported
that the property loss would amount
to $5O,0O0,OOO and that the deaths
would approximate 1000.
From all sections of the state mill
tia equipped with food and blankets
are fastening to the relief of the Day
ton sufferers, and it was reported last
night the advance guard was patrol
ling the principal streets in boats and
checking incipient ruffianism.
The appeal of Governor Cox for out
side help had received quick response,
and today provisions, cots and sup
plies of all kinds were being hurried
from neighboring states. The list of
known dead i'm this city has been in
creased to twelve, with a missing list
of fifty. At Delaware the known dead
number thirty-three. Sidney reports a
hundred dead and Tiffin fifty.
1t was believed that the Lewiston
reservoir near Dayton, which had
threatened to break during the night,
had been so sufficiently strengthened
Resumption of all rail traffic will
be made today if possible. Not only
are bridges washed out everywhere,
but the tracks of many of the princf-
pal railroads are still flooded and
WaShOutS are numerous. Fearing a ty-
phOid epidemic, the state board OF
health is making arrangements to
clean up the larger cities stricken by
the flood.
The menace of fire continued this
morning in the flooded district of
Ohio. Dayton is still burning and ap-
peaIs have been sent out for dynamite
to blow up buildings in the path of the
flames. The Lewiston reServOVir,
north of Dayton. is still holding. Men
are being rushed in to protect and
strengthen it. A blizzard is reported
from parts of the inundated area. Cold
weather and snow hamper the work
of rescue.
Relief measures are being perfected
in many cities. Carloads of provisions,
clothing and other supplies are ready
for transportation as fast as trains
can be moved. The Ohio National
GuardSmen also are ready to move to
Dayton as soon as they can enter the
city.
At GAINESVILLE the flood conditions
are growing worse every minute. No
fire has been reported from that city.
The Ohio river is rising, but the dam
ger stage at Cincinnati is believed to
have been passed. Western Pennsyl-
vania is facing grave flood situation
Sharon and Newcastle report fifteen
feet of water.
Estimates at Chicago of the loss of
life by floods in Ohio and Indiana
were still inaccurate early today, al
though 1.0OO was placed at the mini
mum by the most conservative. Other
estimates, which include large loss of
life in town and districts shut off from
communication, ran as high as 1000.
Governor Cox of Ohio said late last
night that it was believed more than
1000 persons had perished in Dayton
alone, and that the loss of life in other
parts of the state might increase the
total to 1000, or even more.
The latest report from Piqua, Ohio,
placed the number of dead there at
500.
Fires were raging in various parts
of Dayton all night and it was feared
those marOOned in buildings in the
inundated district had been burned to
death.
The waters in most of the flooded
districts are receding. but there is
great difficulty in reaching the refu-
gees in buildings because of the swift
current.
Many gasoline launches were rush.
ed into the flooded district and it was
expected many persons would be
rescued today.
In Indiana. the estimates of the
total number of dead ran from 200 10
1000.
Orders From Washington.
Washington, March 27.-Secretary Nc
Adoo today placed all the United States
e -i..cr i,r,s-