The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-03-27

Columbus, March ,27.-Between 500
and 1000 lost their lives in the flooded
west side of Columbus, according to
reports of The Columbus Dispatch
which has just gotten into communi-
cation with the newspapers Office from
the previous isolated city section. The
same estimate is given by persons in
charge of relief stations on the hilltop
west of the flooded section.
Former Mayor George Randall, in a
telephone communication with Atty.
Cecil Randall, said the death toll
would reach at least 1,000, Vandals,
footing the besieged territory, added to
the horror of the half frozen surviv-
ors. Orders were given to shoot all
looters. -
Throngs of excited groups of people
from the flood stricken section of this
city crowded into temporary rescue
quarters, assert the estimate of Ran
dali is not exaggerated.
The true extent of the awful trage-
dies enacted during the sweeping
away Of homes and the exact death
toll will not be known for days, until
the mass of wreckage Of houses and
uprooted trees strewn over the low
lands south of the city is uncovered.
This mass of debris is now under sew
eral feet of water with swift currents
running in many directions.
Many of those rescued tell of escap-
ing from their homes by fractions of
minutes Just before the rushing wat
ers swept their homes away and
crushed them like egg shells against
the bridges. Scores of entire families,
these people assert, were swept down
with their houses in the swift current.
Every available inch of space in the
Columbus state hospital for the in
g.vo1 TV.nrw Il l. AL
the hilltop is occupied by refugees
: according to those who invaded the
stricken district today. ,...... .:
Four Children Born. T.
Four children were reported to have
been born in school house on the
hilltop. .....
Fire Chief Lauer, marooned on the
hilltop just beyond the flooded section,
reaching that point of safety in an au-
tomobile just before the waters swept
the lowlands, said he saw scores of
people standing on the porches as the
waters swept down and he cannot see
how scarcely any escaped.
Bridge Swept Away.
indianapolis, Ind, March 27.-The
Vandalia railroad bridge over the
with crash, carrying with it ten cars
put there to hold it in place.
Secretary Garrison in Charge.
Washington, March 27.-Secretary
Garrison of the war department will
leave Washington today for the flood
district to take personal charge of the
relief measures and represent Presi-
dent Wilson.
Rescuers Drowned.
Indianapolis, March 27.-The organ
lied rescue work was resumed after
daylight. in the flooded district of West
Indianapolis. The police officials and
rescue workers estimate that 500 spent
the second night of the flood in the
second floors of buildings. Three are
known to be drowned. The night snow
and freezing temperature threatened
to increase the death list
George Smith, a rescue worker, was
thrown into the water and died of ex-
posure. Charles Rogers, a rescuer, and
Boyd Shoemaker were drowned.
Residence Section Burned.
Sidney, o., March 27.--A message tc
the railway here from Dayton via Tip
pecanoe, says the fire has consumed
the territory in the flooded city bound
ed on the north by First street, on the
east by st. Clair, on the south by
Third street, on the west by the boule-
ward.
Il IAllS 10 ~ uCs SlAC iAlAOAlIAcltlOIL AACeIhS
that the territory burned is nine
blocks long, two blocks wide, includ-
ing a fine residence district.
Getting Worse at GAINESVILLE.
Pittsburg, March 27. - Telephone
communications with GAINESVILLE, O..
was cut early after this message from
the GAINESVILLE chief operator I'VE are
leaving the exchange in boats, water
to second story. Conditions getting
worse every minute"