The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-03-28

Indianapolis, March ga state
wide flood so appalling in it's immensi-
ty and terrifying in the swiftness in
which it came claimed some 200 lives,
according to reports, and if messages
from Peru are accurate took a toll of
400 or 600 lives. 1t has made nearly
100000 homeless and has done prop
erty damage of more than 10000, 900.
Helpless from the first rush OF waters,
which caught the state unprepared, the
desperate fight made to save lives and
property seemed inconsequentiaI.
In many places it was too late to
avert the overflow of streams, but at
tention was turned to rescuing per-
sons trapped ms ealsfr homes aud he
roic work only has kept down the
death list.
The White river and several creeks
which surround the business district
OF Indianapolis, ordinary little streams
in summer. are raging torrents, sweep
ing everything in their paths. When
the street car service was stopped it
trapped thousands in the business dis
trict.
Bridges Unsafe and Closed.
Some bridges are unsafe and closed
to traffic, and the waters sweeping
over the others defy vehicles and pc
destrians. Hotels of the city are
crowded to their utmost. AS many as
ten persons are sleeping in a room.
The Y. W. c. A. has been thrown open
to working girls and school girls who
are unable to reach their homes
The White river levee at Morris
street went out, submerging hundreds
of homes, adding 1000 to the 1000
who were homeless here. The break
came at point where least expected.
Thousands of spectators were
watching the river when, with roar
that could be heard blocks, hundreds
OF tons of dirt in the levee crumbled
under the pressure and great walls of
murky black water rushed through
the opening.
People living in the vicinity rushed
from their homes, carrying what prop
erty they could hastily tie mp in
sheets, tablecloths and bedding.
Men, women and children fought
through the water toward a nearby
bridge which seemed to offer the only
safety. 1t was thought that the break
would lessen the pressure higher up,
but all hopes of saving that part OF
the levee has been abandoned and all
families were moved from the district.
Many Houses Washed Away.
Many homes were torn to pieces by
the rush of the waters and others
fioated away. No loss of life has been
but several persons are said
to be missing. In the crowd on the
bridge mothers and fathers sought
missing children.
The water in some of the streets
north Of Fall creek, only fifteen blocks
from the business district, is sweep
ing everything before it.
1t is so deep that horses are forced
to ford the streets.
The Capitol avenue bridge, just.
completed last fall, probably VIII be
dynamited, as it seems to be obstruct-
ing the flow of water in Fall creek.
Schools have been ordered closed
here until further notice, many large
stores have closed and a general sans-
pension Of business is the result OF
the food.
At Lafayette, the Wabash river. RS
ing at the rate of foot an hour, has
passed all previous high water marks.
There a huge bridge went out, carry
ing two and possibly more persons
to their deaths.
The total loss at Lafayette is esti-
mated at $1,0o100o and thousands are
homeless.
Heavy Loss at RushviIIe.
A half million dollars damage was
done by Fiat Rock river at Rushvflle.
Continued on Page Two.