The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-31
FLOOD SWEEPS ON
CLAIMING OIL
OF DESTRUCTION
Crest Of Ohio River Dell
uge Now Nearing
Cincinnati.
SCENES OF RUIN
LEFT IN IT'S WAKE
Mississippi Is at Flood Stage, and
Already Break in Levees Is Re-
ported-People of South Are /
Preparing to Make Strenu- /
Gus Fight to Save
Thar Cities.


tins and wreaking damage amounting
TO many millions of dollars, the vast
body of water that. during the past
five days, has laid waste vast sections
or Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and
West Virginia Is sursing down the
Ohio on it's way to the Gulf of Mex
,''a GO HcetSs 4;tft.sH ,-.S S,ssepe etc go
with the country near the head
waters OF the Ohio and it's continent
streams still under water and lust
emerging from it's scene OF chaos the
crest of the great food has passed
Parkcrsburg. w. Va. and is now near
ing Cincinnati The Ohio. with the
Kentucky pouring In mighty VOL
uIue of water and mass OF debris at
Carrollton. Ky. and other streams
further down contributing their quota,
Us out OF its banks practically from
source to mouth, with still higher
water to come. The Mississippi, prac-
tically from st. Louis south, is at food
stage and one break is already re-
ported in levecs near Cairo. I'll. TAX
Ing warning from last years great
freshet, the South already has manned
Its leyees. from Illinois to tho Gulf
aud is prepared for a strenuous fight.
with clear, warm weather, however,
tho South does not anticipate that
last years frightful damage and loss
OF life will be re-enactcd. l. Ii 4 siiss.
leHves for Columbus To-Day.
Secretary OF War Garrison will
leave Dayton to-day for Columbus,
where he will continue a general SUI
pervision of the work ot restoration
He Will spend three more days in Ohio.
The Secretary OF War is closely watch
inS the situation In hte mississippi VAL
ley. and II the water In that section
rises much more. he will proceed
there at once
stage of seventy feet Is expected
at Cincinnati. Practically the entire
lower section of the city has been un-
dor water for three days, and should
the seventy foot level he attained q
considerable portion of the main busi-
ness section viii be threatened
feet last night, six feet higher than
the previous record made Is. 1884
At Louisville i2.S feet was recorded
late last night. with the river rising
an inch All hour 1t is expected that
the food record set In 1907 will be
exceeded. No great loss of life in Gin
ctnnatt is anticipated. owing to ample
warning received aud experienced In
previous floods.
Ia
Covington, ny. across the river from
Cincinnati. are partially submerged.
Hundreds of families have been driven
from their homes. and great loss to
property already has been done. Gin
cinnati faces shortage CT food. due
10 the large supply sent from that city
during the carly stages of the flood
In the northern part OF Ohio, and tho
present paralysis of all railroad trans
portatior into the city.
Danger OF Disease.
Added danger is lent to the sltua-
ton in the Mississippi Valley by the
prediction of general storm accom-
panied by heavy rains throughout the
Middle West early this week.
The flood districts In Northern Ohio
and Indiana, whore the water has all
most entirely receded. face a peril
which Is a greater menace to human
life than any yet encountered. All
through this district warnings are be-
ing sent out to guard In every man
ncr against all epidemic of diphtheria
and typhoid fever which is sure to
follow the recession OF the waters, and
the almost utter demolshing of sani-
tary systems in the cities and towns
affected
Relief is pouring into Dayton, CO.
lumbus, Indianapolis and all other
cities and towns which were flooded.
While the conditions have been tenn
porarily ameliorated, it will pc neces-
sary for tho State and municipal au-
thorities TO feed and care for thousands
OF the flood victims for three weeks
more. The weather throughout this
district has moderated considerably.
While the earlier estimates OF the
loss of life are being diminished daily,
the property loss has been found to-
be even greater than was at first ex-
pected. Estimates made yesterday by
representatives OF Governor Cox lndi-
cate that the State OF Ohio has suffered
total damage OF more than several!
hundred million dollars. a large por-
tion OF this. 1t is said will be total
loss. owing To the lack of adequate
Insurance.
Indiana has suffered loss estimated
by Governor Ralston, of between $780,
100000 and sl00,00o.0 600 The same
condition regarding insurance pre-.
walls through. that State as in Ohio.
The loss by fire in Indiana, however,
was comparatively small.
Facing Absolute Ruin.
While the people OF Onto and In
diana are showing a marked degree OF
optimism and Willingness TO assume
the tremendous burden Of rehabilita-
don, IL is known that hundreds of the
smaller merchants are. facing absolutc
ruin.
MajorGeneral Leonard Wood has
taken charge OF the sanitation OF the
entire flood district OF Ohio and In-S
diana.
Secretary OF war Garrison and Gen.
eral Wood made tour OF inspection
at Hamilton, O., Yesterday and report
eG that forty-hve bodies have 80 far
been recovered, and that tho total dead
Will he between seventy and eighty, ,gs
Secretary Magss. of the Re,t cYoss
Society, announces that tho stsniS Sf
$362,sf0 has bean received for tie gtfrdss
collected for the food sufgererHs 10 Isl So