Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-26
zoo SENT To
DEATH WHEN
LEvEE GIVES
West indianapolis is Cut
Off From World Over
Night.
THOUSANDS HOMELESS

O00,000-DiSaSter at 9th
er Indiana Points.
South Bend, Ind, March 26.
An official report received by
Mayor Goetz of South Bend to-
cay was that 800 people were
drowned at Peru, Ind, that no
bodies had been recovered and
that there was less than one
block Of the entire city not un-
der water.
Indianapolis, Ind, March &c. - The
first word from Indianapolis cut of
when the great West Washington
street bridge went out last night, came
'his morning from an Associated Press
correspondent marooned there. who
said Ir was generally estimated that at
least 200 persons were drowned when
rua Morris street levee broke early
last night
indianapolis. Ind. March 26.-With
InunJU or more homeless. seven dead
and "a properly loss OF at least 500
uuuUOo. Indiana Is experiencing the
worst flood ia It's history.
Virtually the entire state is one huge
sea- Every brook, creek and river is
taking its toll OF damage.
Public service corporations OF the
oattrc state are helpless. railroads and
Traction lines have Cancelled nearly all
trains Many cities are without fire
protection and without light
HELP RESCUE THOSE TRAPPED.
Dwellers along streams devoted
their labors all day TO resCuinE those
trapped in their homes and to remov-
ing furniture and merchandise to
higher ground.
Many reports Of loss OF life we're re-
Coived. but few were verified, because
wire service was paralyzed. Seven
persons are known 10 have been drown
cd. two at Lafayette. three at New
castle. one at Frankfort and one at
Rushville.
The appalling swittness with which
the waters arose caught the entire
state unprepared. Streams that were
brooks Easter morning became raging
l., I,e
Persons who retired in apparently
safe homes at night were rescued in
the morning from second story win
dcws by means OF boats. and lowlands
that had been free from food water be
came vast lakes.
Conservative estimates place the
number driven out OF their homes at
100000. The property loss, IL is said,
viii reach $50 O0O. 900.
These figures are made up from re-
ports received from towns and villag-
es and do not include the loss TO farm
ers.
VICTIMS SUFFER N COLD.
No hope for relief for the stricken
state is held out by the government
weather bureau. Rain and colder" is
the forecast for tonight and tomorrow
Besides higher water. untold suffer
ing 20 the homeless will come with a
drop in temperature.
Rescue work is being carried on BY
volunteers, police. iremen and the
national guard. and every place where
there is IA dry home 1t has been thrown
open 70 the food refugees.
u g-4 -F
worst foOd Street cars stopped run
ming al noon. when the water and gas
plants we're forced 10 suspend. Two
electric liCht plants are operating, but
ray be compelled to close.
Seven thousand persons we're driven
ont OF their homes I'm Indianapolis by
the overflow from the White river. Ea
Gle creek and Pleasant run. They are
being cared for by charitable institu
tions. the city and in private homes
The national guard Is patrollinG tbs
flooded district, aiding the police
The city authorities called for volur
fs,rs late in the day 20 aid In protect
irc the threatened levees. Mayo,
shank asked the board o. public safe
o. To- appropriate $4,000 for the relic
o. food sufferers.
CAN'T RESPOND TO CALLS
Parts % Fort Wayne. Lafayette
Lichmoud. Marion. Terre Haute. Mn
ere. Rushviue Kokomo. Peru. Corners
vile. Petersburg. New Castle. Frank
fort, Anderson. Upton, Nobiesv.lle
Hartford City, Elwood, Bloomington