Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-03-27

Dayton, o., March 27.-A small por-
ton Of Daton's citizens today, from
their refuge on the highest points with
in the city. awaited anxiously to learn
the fate Of $4,000 inhabitants hemmed
in by the food and menaced by fire.
Altho little more than a mile from
the section where it Is feared great loss
of life has resulted, hundreds of men
and women looked on helplessly.
Thousands have been marooned and
how many survive Is mere conjecture.
Numerous fires have sprung up since
the water from the bursted reservoir
penHed in tens Of thousands, but the
worst blaze yesterday afternoon short
ly after 4:3o O'Clock. and this morn
ing was still claiming its toll of prop
erty and doubtless many lives.
Flood Came Without Warning.
Altho the waters from swollen
streams was slowly creeping on the
outlying sections for hours, the catas-
trophy which resulted so seriously
came within thirty minutes after the
Tarleton reservoir broke. The streets
soon became basins fort he swelling tor
rent of water in which boats could not
live. and those safe from the food have
had to wait until the waters subside.
The water has gone down perceptibly
each hour since noon yesterday and
during last night. and unless other res
ervoirs break, which is greatly feared,
the greatest danger is past.
To Enter Flood District Today.
The force of gallant relief workers
will be able to enter the flooded dis
tricts by boat and it is expected the
larger section will be explored before
nightfall.
The fire. the extent Of which is un-
known, added grim menace last night
and today. The flames could be seen
thru a field glass from the top of build
ings mile away. 1t seems that the
fire started in the plant of the Patter-
son Supply Company. Early today it
had consumed three blocks.
Official Left Helpless.
Like other cities heretofore over
whelmed by floods, Dayton has few
representative citizens to relieve vic
tins Of the flood and fire that have
swept this city. It was impossible to
communicate with the mayor and 9TH
er city officials, as they, with more
than half of the population of loo,ooo'
are hemmed in by the water.
The relief work is being done wei.
nv small coterie of citizens in the
southeast port of the city, who hap
pened not to be caught in the business
section when the flood suddenly mace
egress from buildings Impossible.
Cash Register Plant Hospital.
The relief is in charge of j. H. Pat
terson, president of the National Casn
Register Company. The cash register
Mani was the only structure of import
ance not seriously affected by the mood
or fire which followed. and today more
than 1000 refugees are receiving medl-
cal attention and food at the plant
which has been turned into huge nos
pital and lodging house.
Until today relief measures exceeded
requirements, but only because 1t was
imnossible to rescue the thousanos
,marooned inhabitants. With water re-
cedins and the rapidity OF the torrents
thru the business section lessened, the
neople were brought out by hundreds
+oday and the relief staff was kept
busy.
Doctors and Nurses Rsspond.
Many doctors and nurses have come
here from nearby towns and medical
snnnlies and food have been provided
for on relief trains. Absence Of motor
hoats has been the cause Of great sur
fering. Hand propelled boats could not
navigate the water. With appeals for
motor boats and men to run them
cleveland responded with several boats
that arrived this morning Cincinnati
also sent some Upon the arrival o,
these craft rescue work went on rap
idly.
Many Narrowing Tales.
Narrowing tales have been told II
connection with the rescue work al
ready done A boy pitched by his
mother from his roof to toatman who
wa. with difficulty keeping his Graf,
steady, was missed by the rescuers and
drowned. The mother was saved.
"A young husband had to restrain his
wife from throwing herself into the
aeadwaters as they sat on the roof OF