The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-29

but loss of life would not be so large
as was expected.
Captain Gillooly and his men arranged
to provide the needy ones with necessary
supplies from time to time until the
flood waters have gone. Captain Han
son and crew of life savers from the
Cleveland station also operated several
boats in the heart of North Dayton.
1t was expected the two life saving
morrow although the opinion generally
were entertained thar by that time the
water would have subsidized sufficiently
to permit the exit Of all persons now
marrooned.
Hundreds Without Food
In Riverdale. near the Main street
bridge, the levee was out in three places
to6ay in an effort to drain that section Of
the city. In the section on the east
side of the Miami river and North of
the Mad river rescue work went for
ward today with two United States
life saving crews in charge. Hundreds
of people. living in upper stories and
practically without food or water since
Tuesday morning, refused TO leave their
better chance for safety there than else
them.
Representatives of the Associated Press
today made their way in rowsoats and
canoes through nearly all of Riyerdale,
North Dayton and West Dayton. This
was the first time that II was possible
actually to penetrate these districts.
While conditions are deplorable the peo-
pie remaining in their houses We're not
suffeang to any considerable degree and
M. haJice IN he onrwhara n
number of places throughout the city
camps have been established and fanf-
lies have set up housekeeping in tents,
cooking in the open over bonfires.
Perilous trips around the coping OF
burning buildings with the flood below
them marked the escape Of "a women
and children from the flames that de-
stroyed the structures on the north side
of Third street. Driven by the flames
the refugees retreated from the east
and west toward the center OF the square
forcing their way through hatchways
and climbing over roofs and iron cop
ings. Finally they. reached the Cooper
building which became the common place
of refuge. Hemmed jim. on both sides,
a way out was now sought across Third
street. Harvey Krkbride organized tho
men and under his direction one of the
party was let down with a rope. no
swan to the opposite side. fastened
rope in a street staircase and then sig
hailed his comrades behind.
Struggled Through Torrent
Supporting the women and children
the men let themselves down from the
Cooper building and struggled through
the torrent swept street to the other side. 3
The stairs led to safety on the upper
floor Then the entire "a made their way
to an alley and across to a place. OF
safety. There<they remained until Thurs
day when they were rescured. Without
exception the people are considering
others beforei themselves. Hungry men
receive rations but divide them, or give
them to women and children physically
unable to stand long hours waiting to be
served. Since the flood came scores Of
babies have been born in different parts
of the city. In almost every instance
the babies lived and the mothers are
getting along. nicely
Even the most graphic photographs
taken of the. ruins fail to reveal in COM
prehensive detail the desolation of the
stricken cityS Whole streets are heaps
of splintered timbers, twisted steel and
brick and morter. Once handsome resi-
dences are to be seen upturned and
broken into parts B1ec1ss and blocks OF
houses are jammed against one another.
in bafflmg confusioh Debris litters
scores of tloroughfares for long in
stances. and about all IS a sea OF mud
and water,