The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-26
STATE OF INDIANA
BECOMES VAST SEA
Every Brook, Greek and River
Taking Toll OF
Damage.
MANY TRAPPED IN HOMES
Waters Come Up Over Night and
Give Them No Chance
to Escape
MANY TRAPPED IN HOMES

indianapolis. March 25.--With tens
of thousands OF homeless, seven dead
and property loss OF several million
dollars. Indiana Tonight is experience
ing the worst Hood in its history. The
entire State practically is one huge
sea, and every brook, creek ana riVes
is taking its toll OF damage
rublic service, corporations of the
entire state are hellGess, railroads and
trains Many cities are without fire
protection and light
Dwellers along streams to-day de-
| voted their labors 10 rcscuing those
trapped in their homes and to reinov-
h ING furniture ana merchandise to
loss of life were received. but none Of
these hns been verified because wire
service is ,paralyzed. Seven arc known
70 nave been drowned-two AT La
fnyette. three. at Newcastle. one at
frankf9rt and one at Rushville.
| The appalling swiftnesS with which
! the waters have arisen caught the en-
tire State unprepared. Streams that
come raging torrents In the last few
/ hours. Persons who retired in an
| parenuy safe homes last night this
! morning were rescued from second :
story windows by boats. and Iowlands
! free from flood water yesterday to-
night are vast lakes,
| placed the number driven from their
! homes at near 100. 900. and The proD-
crty loss. i is said. Will reach the
| are made up from reports received
from towns and villages, and, do not
tInciude me probable great loss 10
No hope for relief to tho stricken
state is held out by the government
the forecast for tonight and to-mor
row. Besides higher water. untold SUI
ftering TO the homeless will come with
the drop in temperature.
Rescue work is being carried on by
volunteers, police, ilremen and the
state state militia Tia. and every place where
open TO the food sufferers
worst food. Street cars stopped run
ming at noon. at which time the water
ana gas plants were forced to suspend
Two electric light plants are operat-
ing. but may be compelled to close
! down.
Driven From Their Homes.
Seven thousand people we're driven
from their homes here by tho over
now from White River Eagle Creek
cared for by charitable institutions
ne city an; and in private homes The
district. aiding the police.
The city authorities late Ida,
called for volunteers to aid in protect
ing the threatGled levees. Mayor
Shank asked the Board of Public Safe.
" to appropriate $4,000 for the RELIEF
of flood sufferers.
Parts OF Fort Wayne. Lafayette
Richmond Marion. Tcrre Haute. Nun
Gle: Rushville. Kokomo. Peru. Connors
vile. Petersburg. Newcastle. Frank
fort. Anderson. Upton, Noblesville
Hartford CITY. Elwood. Bloomington
Shelbyville Logansport, Portland anc
innumerable smaller towns are under
water. with many Of the residents from
their homes and others living on upper
floors. dreading the prospects brough
by each succeeding hour. From man.
Of these places frantic appeals for aid
have been received by tho State on
cials. but lack of all means Of trans
portation and crippled telephone ant
telegraph service force the submerged
towns to rely entirely upon their owl
resources
The hclplessness of the State ant
city to aid the outside sufferers is The
more accentuatcd by the hopeless:
straits la which indianapolis finds In
self
Judging from conditions here III,
situation Of the smaller towns mus
be fast approaching the desperate
stage.