The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-28
STORY OF FLOODS
Graphic Description of Scenes
in Peru, Ind.
Tales of Suffering and of Mu-
nificent Self-Sacrifice.

| Chicago. March 2S.-M. F. Hatten, of
222 Willow street, Chicago. a photog-
rapher, managed to reach Chicago
from Peru, Ind, after encountering
tremendous difficulties. Mr.. Hatten
was in the center of the district around
Peru that suffered most from the flood.
His story was given to the Chicago
Examiner in the living, graphic style
I of a man who was actually an eye
witness to and participant in the
scenes he describes. Following is Mr.
Hatten's statement:
(BY NJ. F. HATTEN.)
Copyright by the Chicago Examiner.)
Five thousand people are in the court
house at Peru, which is built on a
the entire city. Sufferers with scarlet
fever, children with measles and
whooping cough are huddled together
like cattle. Fear that disease will
spread has seized the officials of the
city and all possible steps are being
taken to prevent this.
There ere five births in the court
house last night. Eight people died.
Scores who were sick ard whose suffer
ing was increased by the excitement,
made the scene a terrible one.
Some of the children born were made
fatherless by the storm.
The only other place of refuge in
the entire city, where people are safe
is the Beckel hotel. Thirty travelling
men, who had rooms there gave them
up to the sick and injured. Not only
this, but they gave their overcoats
and all their extra clothing. The only
fire in the city was at this hotel. The
hundreds in the court house were shiv-
ering with the cold.
Situation Called Terrible.
The situation there was terrible. The
sick were given room and physicians
of the city did all possible for them.
They have nothing to drink but the
murky water in the streets. There is
no light and no heat. Food is being
taken to the court house in boats and
is being given to the stricken people.
Rich and poor are packed in small
rooms together. The dollar of the rich
man counts for nothing there. He
must suffer with the masses.
The conditions are beyond all de-
scription. The suffering is terrible to
see, and people are dying every hour.
Wives are separated from their hus-
bands and mothers from their chill
dren. The terrible uncertainty as to
the fate of loved ones is seen on all
sides. Children who have been made
fatherless and motherless by the storm
are crying for their parents.
The water started to rise early Tues
day morning and continued during
the day, until there was over IA feet
of water in the streets. Many houses
killed.
Ninety Reported Dead.
We had one report that there were
ninety dead in one morgue in South
Peru. This section is entirely under
water and while we could not see it af-
ter Tuesday morning. No one knows
how many are dead in Peru. There
may only be a hundred and there may
be three thousand. This can be told
only when the waters recede, and per-
haps not then.
woman and two girls were loaded
into a boat from the second story of a
house. A boy eight years old was left
behind The mother was wild She
tried to turn back and get the boy but
the boat was filled to capacity and the
lad was left behind.
Another case where a. family were
taken from their home and the daugh-
ter, a pretty child of ten, was missing.
The father returned to the house. res
cued the child. but Wen he returned
the boat had been swept away by the
swift current. A moment later the
rush of water engulfed the house.
Rescuers Come in Boats.
Leaders in the rescue work were half
a hundred citizens from Winona, who
brought boats with them. They were
Joined by some of the townspeople and
removed the stricken people from their
homes to the place of refuge, the court
house.
Only one case of actual disorder was
reported, and this was when a man who
owned a boat was charging so to re-
move residents from their homes and
to convey them to safety His boat,
together with what money he had col
lected, were taken by the authorities
The stricken residents of Peru are
being given food and clothing as fast
as relief trains arrive. All food and
clothing in Peru were destroyed, as the
entire business section is under water.
To reach Chicago 1 was forced to
make a journey of two and a half miles
in a small boat Floating timber makes
the trip a dangerous one.
Few people are trying to leave the
city. Most of these must remain until
the floods recede,- as all boats are being
used in rescue work and for the trans
portation of food and clothing.