The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-03-28
RELIEF COMMITTEES
CONTROL SITUATION
From Other Sections Same
Story Of Better Conditions
Comes-The Cold, Clear
Weather Is Putting Check
on the Rising Waters

Revised estimates early to-day IRON
the flooded districts of Ohio and Indiana
showed that the reports of loss of life
in many cities and towns were exag
gerated. The greatest anxiety still cen.
tered about Dayton, where an accurate
estimate of the number of flood victims
was sfill,impossible. The deaths promise
to be much less in Columbus, Ohio, than
the first reports from the western part OF
the city indicated.
In the parts of Dayton which have
been explored by boats, the death list
was greatly reduced, and unless the
number of deaths in the north section
is found to be larger, the total of the
entire city may not exceed 400.
In Piqua, where 500 were reported
drowned, less than twenty lost their
lives, according to advices received to-
day.
In Chillicothe, where it was first re-
ported that 500 were drowned, the dead
will not exceed IS. Similar results are
expected from GAINESVILLE and other Mus
kingum valley towns.
Indiana towns continue to report i'm
proving conditions, and the estimates Of
deaths are shrinking as more accurate
reports are made.
West Dayton, O., March 2s.-Backed
by the militia and hundreds of special
ha ~
charge of the relief work have a tight
hold on the situation today. A brilliant
sun tempered the keenness of the frosty
air and the flood has subsided percep-
tibly.
The food victims who have been
penned in the downtown sections of the
city were able today to make their way
to the suburbs by thousands, unaided.
On Main street in the heart of Dayton,
it is possible to pick dry path over
the pavement.
The worst condition found near the
center of the food was in the work
house, where 60 prisoners have not had
drop of water nor bite of food since
Tuesday. The men revolted Tuesday
night and demanded their liberty and
n chance to fight for their lives. Since
then the workhouse has been mad
house, according to Superintendent
johnson. The prisoners eatedly
fought with johnson and threatened to
kill him and his family.
johnson asked that detachment of
the National Guard be assigned to help
him handle the men. He declared that
the men would have 20 be shot if they |
escaped from their cells.
Frantic Scenes at Morgue.
The most pitiful scenes occurred at the
temporary morgues. At the West Day |
ton morgue frantic crowds watched every
body brought in, hoping against hope |
it was not of some loved one. Women
became hysterical at times when search
ing for missing members of their fam
lilies. In addition to refuge homes, the
authorities in each section are maintain
ing an identified tion bureau, where all |
persons rescued or cared for are regis
tered.
The food situation, which threatened |
to become serious, was relieved tempo
rarily by the arrival of special train
from Richmond, Ind, bringing seven cars
of provisions. Last night Quartermaster
Logan received word from United States
hffHN tyuhf
that 100000 rations were ordered shipped I
from Chicago, 100 ranges and one COM
plete quartermaster depot from Column
bus, Ohio, $500 tents, 100 hospital tents
and 400 stoves from Philadelphia, and
100000 blankets and 500 bed sacks from
st. Louis or Cincinnati.
The thing that makes the situation
more difficult for concerted rescue work
is the peculiar geographical situation of
the town, which is divided into six Sec
tions, three of them being now entirely
Pestilenee is feared. and sanitary and
health officials are mapping out their
work. Sewers of the entire city were
burst by the flood. manholes being sim
ply blown from the earth IL will be
many days before the water service can
be restored, and il viii be more than a !
week before street cars can be run. +,
II j. impossible TO learn the names ;
of the dead so far recovered. Only one
body in Riverdale has been identified .
and those recovered are being taken to !
temporary morgues in churches and pri- I
vate homes. 80 that an accurate count I
IF the bodies j. impossible. IN