The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-26
INDIANANS SEND
APPEAL FOR Help
Frantic Communication Inter-
rupted by Breaking Wire.
Levee in Whitewater River
Said to Have Broken.
LARGE LOSSES OF LIFE RESULT
Peru Reports Nearly 800 Per-
sons Killed in Floods.
Bridges Washed Out and Cities
Inundated.
LARGE LOSSES OF LIFE RESULT

Indianapolis, March 26-The town
of Metamora. north of Brookville. and
towns of Cedar Grove and New Tren-
ton, south of Brookville, have been
swept off the map by the flood, ac-
cording to information here this after
noon.
Indianapolis, Ind, March 26-First
word from West Indianapolis, cut off
from the city when the West Wash
ington street bridge went out last
night, came this morning from an Asso-
ciated Press correspondent, marooned
there, who said that it is generally es-
timated that at least two hundred per-
sons were drowned when the Morris
street levee broke early last night. An
unverified rumor was that many
refugees sought shelter in Wolfe hall
until the crowded floor gave way and
scores may have been killed.
Families in one-story homes were at
the mercy of the sudden rush of water
that followed the breaking of the
levees- The prevailing opinion is that
not less than two hundred persons
must have been drowned in Indian
apolis.
Sixty passenger trains are shut out
of the city on the lines entering from
the west and all the passengers are
less refugees. The Assumption Paro-
chial school, in charge of Father Joseph
Weber, is sheltering about 100 women
and children. Efforts to reach that
section of the city from Indiana polls
have been fruitless until this morning.
Water Floods Valley.
The break, of day found anxiety
and Connersville, on the White
water river, from which frantic
appeals for aid We're received
by Governor Ralston late yesterday.
While the appeal was being made wire
communication to ConnerSviIle failed
The person who was talking with the
governor said that a break in the
Whitewater levee had flooded the val
ley, sweeping hundreds of persons be-
fore it. After that it was impossible
to re-establish communication even for
a few minutes and the governor feared
the worst there Militia was ready all
during the night to hurry to the town,
but no train was operated in that di-
rection. Though the whole state is
stupified by the enormity of the dis
aster which in "a hours drowned at
least 20 persons and did property dam
age of close to $25, 900, 900, work on re-
pairing the telephone and telegraph
lines and railroads was started early.
Practically every railway and traction
company operating in the state has
miles of track washed out Or made
shaky by the flood waters.
Indianapolis awoke to find the waters
higher than ever before, with a prop
erty loss that two days ago would have
been unbelievable. 1t is hard even yet
to bring the full realization of tie
damage to the people who had no
thought of a flood from the streams
that ordinarily are unimportant, aided
only in beautifyine the city's parks and
boulevards driveways.
During the night the water advanced
upon the exclusive residence section
along Fall creek.
1t tore away one bridge, destroyed
the city's proudest driveway and
forced the families living along it's
banks to desert their palatial homes.
few hours previous they had no
idea they were in any danger and
were awakened by the militiamen to
be ordered from the threatened build
ings only to find every hotel full. They
were cared for at homes of friends.
The Washington street bridge over the
White river that connects Indianapo-
lis with West Indianapolis, which was
closed for traffic late last night, early
today was torn apart by the waters,
the floor of the structure being car
ried away.
with the breaking of day also came
the proposition of feeding the refugees
TO the number of 10000.
Indianapolis faced another day with
out water and was without fire pro-
lection. Drinking water was at a
premium while water to use for bath
ing and washing was unattainabIe.
Many were rescued from roofs in
Indianapolis, and each had an added
tale of many who had not escaped.
People in West Indianapolis were
warned late yesterday, but very few
needed. Four skiffs and two canoes
were the only available boats for res
cue work during the morning, but
others are being built. People are
being taken from the second floors of
houses and the boatmen are receiving
frantic appeals from marooned fami-
lies. The streets in West Indianapolis
are filled with women and children
seeking missing members of their
families.
Among those rescued during the
morning were As persons who had
spent the entire night on the roof of
a factory.
William Morris took his wife and
two children from his West Indianap-
oils home late in the afternoon, but
believing the warning an exaggeration,
returned to his house and was caught
and drowned. A woman whose name