The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-29

desiring to assure friends and relatives
ofq their safety. The sun was out;
fire engines were busy pumping water
from Easements of the principal build
ings, and more optimistic spirit pre-
av1led than at any previous time since
the waters engulfed the city.
Food Pours in.
Food poured in from every quarter,
by wagon, train and automobile;
gangs of men were everywhere busy
with shovel. axe and pick clearing
away the debris. It was hoped to have
within forty-eight hours one pumping
station working which would provide
the hydrants with water in case of
fire. In the Bickel house, which was
at first supposed to have burned with
heavy loss of life, the flood never
reached the second floor. The lobby,
however, like every other building in
the flooded district. was inches deep
with mud. Nine Western Union op-
orators were marooned in their office
for forty-two hours. They subsisted
on barrel of cabbage which floated
down the alley at the side of the build
ing. Another refugee in this place
was horse. which stood in the water
for twenty-four hours and partook
literally of the cabbage, but suddenly
bolted into the street and was
drowned. The rapid fall of water has
rendered useless the large number of
big boats brought here from Toledo,
Springfield and other cities, to be used
IN rescue work. Iife-SaverS and
searchers for bodies were using canoes
tain sections. In other districts relief
squads were able to wade. There was
practically no current outside the
leVee.
Little Looting Reported.
Little organized looting has been re-
ported although it was Believed that a
number of persons had been shot by the
troops. Continual shots We're fired into
the air by the soldiers during the night
by order of Col. Zimmerman in COM
mand of the military district in order
to keep the people off the streets Abb
solute curfew regulations are main
tanned and no one can be out after six
o'clock. A special train of supplies
reached here from New York and other
trains were expected today from other
cities. Announcement was made by the
relief committee until condition become
normal no private messages to persons
here Will be delivered or answered as
the wire capacity is taxed to the ut
most to carry official and public bust
ness. The committee expressed the
wish that people throughout the
country refrain from sending messages
of inquiry concerning the safety of
relatives and friends here as such are
futile.
1t is impossible to ascertain definitely
any information concerning people in
of dead are identified the names are
being sent out by the news associa-
tions and the lists, the committee de-
clares must under the circumstance
suffice.
Beautiful weather today rendered
much more endurable the condition
of thousands of homeless. Food is
being distributed as expeditiously as
the facilities of the organization will
permit. With the resumption of SER
vice by the water department, it is
believed there will be little actual suf-
fering in the city henceforth. 1t is
impossible, however, to provide milk
for the thousands of babies in this
city, including scores that have been
born since the flood came. In al
statement issued by the citizens relief
committee 1t was declared no further
donations of castoff clothing would be
accepted because of the fear that dis |
ease might be brought here.
FoodstuffS, and particularly bread, |
are wanted. There are few ovens in |
operation here and these only in pri- |
vate homes outside the flooded dis |
trict