Arizona republican., 1913-03-26
Stories of Dclugc Gathered i'll Chicago Tell of Terrible Scenes in Tolmcnted Dis tricts ill Six Stricken States
WATERS TIE UP
 ATTEMPTS TO AID
Reports Come Slowly From Regions of Terror Where Wire Service Is ParalvZed and Few Heroic Operators Remain on Duty
ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCH1


 CHICAGO, March 25-Floods over an unprecedented area, following the tornado and rains of the last three days, swept four states in the Miss issippi valley today causing a loss of life that may reach hundreds and damage to property amounting to and in lesser degree, Illinois and Mis- souri, felt the brunt of the disaster At Dayton scores are reported drowned, following the breaking of the Miami river levee and the Lara mic reservoir, fifty miles above the city
 When an Associated Press core spOndcnt succeeded in reaching the city, anxiety caused by the exagger- ated reports of loss of life were set at rest although he had great diff ficulty in obtaining details Maroon ed in office buildings in the center of the town, hundreds are vainly awaiting rescue. Streets heretofore considered miles from the danger line are IuIliillS tlSlt Ittl uiiutI "dlti the torrential force of which pre- cluded rescue in boats. Millions Of property damage is already incurred and the flood is still increasing
 The climax of the flood in Ohio reached Dayton, where tonight it is reported that there is water from twenty to forty feet deep in many of the streets. with bodies floating past the windows of office buildings; the catastrophe has assumed the pro portions of d tidal wave. 3O,000 of Dayton's inhabitants are said to be homeless. Hundreds of fires. which cannot be extinguished, it is said added to the horror of the situation in Dayton.
 The waters swept through the city with terrific force. one report which however lacked confirmation, says water in Main street is fifteen feet deep. All wire communication ex- cept on one slender wire to Phone ton, six miles away. is broken off and information regarding the status Of affairs in Dayton is difficult to obtain. Railroads and wagon bridges across Ilt Mtdlui ilNtl t'it '" '' away. and others are in momentary danger of collapsing. The river Is still rising at a late hour and fears are entertained that several other towns between Dayton and the Ohio river will suffer.
 At three D. m.. young woman telephone operator in Dayton in di- rect communication with Governor Cox at Columbus, said she was the last person remaining in tho exchange building and that the water was seven feet deep in Main street. As she was talking. she said. the build ing across the street collapsed. Many gre believed to have been in the building at the time, and other build ings are expected to be undermined
 Columbus Suffers
 Columbus also suffered an enor- nous damage from the flood The washing out of several bridges across the Scioto river in and near that city. resulted in an almost total par alysis of railroad traffic. Later the west side levee broke, and large area of the western part of the city was inundated. Fires in three large factories ragged many hours and for a time threatened portion of the business district Because of the flood firemen were unable to respond to appeals for assistance.
 Conditions in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Kokomo and other places ir central Indiana are the worst ir many years. At Lafayette two spans of bridges went out, carrying away several people who were watching the flood. All were rescued however except two men, one of whom was L. P. Woolley. an Indianapo student
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