The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-29
NUMbEROF DEATHS
IN FLOOD MAY NOT
Be MORE THAN 500
Loss of Life Not Nearly
So Heavy as Was
Feared.
ORDER GRADUALLY
BEING RESTORED
Figures Still Are Uncertain, but
1t Now Is Known That Early
Estimates Were Greatly Ex-
aggerated-Chaotic Condi-
tons in Flood Area Give
Way as Waters Fall.

In the flooded area through Ohio and
indiana for nearly three days were re-
lieved yesterday. Thousands OF desti-
tute persons have been rescued and fed
and properly clothed. Martial law ex-
lists over a large portion of both States.
and perfect order is maintained.
: The number of. dead In both Ohio and
indiana Will not exceed 500, based or
the hrst accurate news received from
'he hood districts last night.
me maximum estimate Of dead in
layton is $50 In Columbus where
the latest reports give fifty-two known
dead. Il total of 200 la estima ted.
The damage to business blocks. fac
tories and residences in Dayton will
be between Sl5.00o.00O and $4,000 900.
Ihe loss by fire alone will not exceed
$780, 600
In Columbus the property damage is
estimated at $4,000. 0O0
Acute I'm znncsviIie.
Inc condition in GAINESVILLE was more
acute than in any other of the par
tiaily devastated cities last night The
n0oa ZOO, at that point was abating rap
IDLY, and the first relief party had
reached the city.
secretary OF War Garrison. accompa-
nied by large STAFF and Surgeon Gen
eral Blue. chief OF the army star. and
Ma3or-General Wood. is expected to
has met with unexpected delay in cross
Ing the Eirginias
Governor Cox has taken control of
all railroads running into Dayton and
Columbus. In order TO assure imme-
diatc transportation of necessary sun
plies and further to prevent tho infIuH
or stghtseers and possible horde OF
uudcsirables, hent ON looting
The thousands of flood victims who
few hours aso We're fearful OF their
lives are to-day optimistic. and are
busiiy engaged in restoring order in
their wrecked cities
The situation in other food afTi icted
States is also considerably ameliorated
but fear Is still felt that great damage
may be done by the turbulent waters
of oreriowed rivers, creeks and
streams at many points. The situa-
follows:
Wcst Virginia.
Practically every city and town
along the West Virginia shore OF the
ohio River is Hooded. From many
points along the river numerous deaths
nave been recorded, aud the situation
in many OF the towns ia critical
Wheeling. in the Northern part of tl,e
state, Is experiencing the worst food
III the history of the city, during
winch ten persons have been drowned.
All of the lower portion of the CITY is
inundated and thousands have been
rendered homeless
Ohio River Risinr.
Between ParkersburE and Euntinr-
ION the Ohio is reported to- bo ,.is;n,,
very nigh wator is expected along. this
part of the river in the next few hours
when the food waters from Northern
Ohio reach there.
PcDnsyINanis
serious Hood conditions prevail in +be
a
greater part OF which is under watsr
Many towns arc isolated and tho f,,Il
extent OF tho damage cannot be eati
mated as yet
me Susqnehanna River has attained
q heisht of twenty eight feet, but
attest reports show that it is sIowI,.
tecedtnS and the outlook becomes n,orn
hopeful Many hundreds OF fani,;as
throughout the valleys have been
forced to ilee from their homes 1,ho
miiltia Is on patrol duty in severaI
ois'ricts. Considerable damage ia re-
ported from Wilkesbarrc. In tba
western section of the State conditions
are decidedly alarming
The Ohio and Allcgheny bave eo.a,
the lowlands around Pittsburrh Ar
City Is threatened by an ovcrilow or
oii Sreck Meadvillc and other ,.i,ias
also report great damage. shurttn,,
down of factories. IMPAIRED wat.r .,,n
piy wrecked sewers. washed out rail
roads broken wires and Hooded mines
Virginia.
me western portion OF Virginia ha3
bce!i delugad, aud p gale has wrecEed
many homes and buildings Railroad
t-aihc has been paralyzed by foods
ana hundreds are homeless All or tha
streams lowing out OF the Ausehanv
ana Cumberland Mountains have bean
turned into raging torrents Tele-
graph and telephone lines hayo hee.
torn down and communication willlno.
be restored throughout the district FOR
several days.
Kentucky.
Hundreds of lives have been i'm
perlled by the floods through Ken
lucky and property has been damaged
70 the extent of $4,000 100. The Ohio
River is rising ard many towns and
cities viii be flooded when the heIrh,
OF the river is increased by tho aood-
waters from Ohio. Railroad transpor
tat!on in many parts of the state Is
at stands,ill. and thousands of fami
lies warned away from the high water
sections have fed to the hills. where
they are encamped
New York.
In the vicinity OF Rochester, in West
ern New York. the food conditions rs-
main serious. and unless the rivers re
cede within the pext few hours. serious
damage viii be done to many houses
and factories. Several blocks are now
under water and Easements OF MANY
stores have been flooded
In all parts OF the State the food
waters have receded as rapidly +as sthe,s:
rose yesterday, and no further damage
is anticipated. A new high wateY mark.
exceeding that reached at the time 81
the Johnstown hood. wss made IL, the
Genesee Valley. The railroads have
i3el (ContfNned m Ninth W. e,.. sttT,-iSpss{{,