The Washington herald., 1913-03-28
SURVIVORS TELL
OF HORRORS IN
FLOODED AREAS
First Refugees from Ohio
Reach New York and De-
scribe Suffering.
STRAIN UNNERVES MEN
One Member of Party Placed Under
Physicians Care-Asony Un-
settles Mind.
STRAIN UNNERVES MEN

New York, March 2.-Th,
Lake Shore Limited, FIVE hour.
late, the first train to arrive in tn,
city having on board men who
were actual witnesses of the Ohio
floods, who aided in rescues. anc
who lived through the horror OF
the scenes, arrived in New York
tonight from Cleveland.
On board were several men who
had thrilling tales to relate of their
experiences in Dayton, Cleveland
and Columbus.
Scenes BesEar Description.
When questioned regarding the
situation each and every one said
that words failed to express the
calamity that had visited the
stricken cities. One of the men
lived for day on the roof of a
hotel, watching human derelicts
drifting by, clinging to branches of
trees, to parts of houses, and ar
ticles of furniture, safe himself,
but unable to aid those who we're
drifting to no one knows where.
Agony Wrecks Mind.
Another member of the party, Wilbur r.
Lawrence, Of Peoria. Ill. who had become
mental and physical wreck from what
he had undergone and witnessed who
rowed through the city of Dayton one
night looking fer his fiancee and her aged
mother. was taken from the train at Buf-
falo to be placed in the care of physicians.
On board this train was Charles H.
Barnes. of Ridgewood. n. J. Mr. Barnes
Is a travelling salesman for the Barrett,
falmer Heal Company, dyers. at 334
tanal Street. He told in quiet tone of
the experiences he had undergone. He
said that he was in India ma polls on Sum
day night when the storm first arrived
He said the rain fell in sheets. turning TO
snow and sleet, accompanied by a high
gale.
He left that city on Monday and ar
rived in Cincinnati the same day leaving
A few hours later for Columbus. The
run. usually made in three hours. took
nine. and while en- route the provisions
on the train ran out When the train
finally pulled into Columbus. they found
the city flooded. the electricity and gas
cut off and the place in darkness.
Hotels Packed with People.
Mr.. Barnes said he made his way to |
The Noel House. within three blocks of |
lie Capitol, and found the hotel had
been turned over to the poor of the CITY, |
who were being cared for by the manage
ment of the hotel The same conditions.
he said. prevailed in the Chittenden Ho-
tel. Beds had been placed in the hall
ways. the lobby, the parlors. reception !
-Ooms and even on the roof to accommo-
date the homeless and friendless
Women. he said. are huddled together |
with their children on the floors awaiting !
some message from the father, husband, |
or brother. In the meantime, they were !
being cared for and fed at the hotel
Before going any further said Mr.. |
Barnes, Il want to say that too much |
credit cannot be given to the hotel pro-
prietors for what they have done and
are doing to help the poor and friend
less. They have spared no pains or ex-
pense to take in the poor. and 1 know
for A positive fact that regular patrons
of the hotels have been turned away
to make room for the poor and needy.
4 number of travelling statesmen Iert the
hotels to make room for those made
homeless