The Republican journal., 1913-05-29
The Flood in Dayton, Ohio
Personal Experiences of Frank w.
Twombly.

WltHn zen lHCHeS Ol the Lop VI VIC WV AA'NNN
the most sanguine apprehensive of what might
happen The rain continued with undated
fury all Monday night, and it was not a sur
prise hen the sleeping city was aroused at
4.30 a. m. Tuesday morning by the shrlll blasts
of the factory whistles. At o'clock we were
Informed by a courier that the water was com
ing over the levee at point two blocks from
our home and it seemed if our worst fears
might be realized; and yet none of us dreamed
or could imagine. the terrible experiences we
would be called upon TO p; IS through In the
next three days. MIR. d. W. Wright. also from
Massachusetts. and with whom we live, and L,
ran down to the foot of the street and on see
ing the approaching water hurried rack to the
house thinking to save what was on the hrst
floor bv removing them to the second. On our
return We caught a fish weighing about IL
rounds in front of the house and intended to
keep it for a curiosity We began mined
lately to remove the furniture and books to
the second floor In our excitement and earn
est desire to save the piano Mr.. Wright ana
lifted it to heavy table, hoping the water
might not reach it.
While we were thus engaged boy, IL years.
of age doing rescue work, had lost control OF
his boat. had fallen out and was washed upon
our veranda in an exhausted condition. We
took him in, revived him and gave him dry
clothing and he remained with US until we left
the wreck.
Our work on the first floor never COM
,oleted as the water rushed into the front ooor'
causing great loss. The water rose halt way
to the second story in i hours.
Small barns garages, hen coops, people and
animals were seen floating by our windows.
We did not think of leaving the house until
it was hit by large barn, causing 1t to sway
and fearing il would leave its foundation we
called TO the people who lived in a larger house
within few feet Of US, asking II we couiu
come over The man replied that he "lsheu
we would if it was possible thing, for ms
wife was nearly crazy. We took door from
its hinges and MADE bridge between the two
second story windows, over when five OF US
went. the water surging beneath our frail sup
nort, TO the second story
The water began to rise more gradually ana
we remained on the second floor until l2o0 P.
NJ. when we we're driven to the attic, three
men three women, our rescued youth, the Ut
lie boy II the home. his two Easter rabbits,
and cat and stray hen that had come into
window.
We made all sorts of plans for cur escape
which we never carried out owing to the swift
current of the water.
A boat passed cur windows containing three
men and two girls and was overturned one
half block from the house and the girls drown
ed.
We had lunch during the afternoon, consist
ing of coffee made in pail suspended over
Ave candles, grape fruit, preserved cherries,
bread and cake.
Improvised beds were made on the floor and
the ladies laid down to rest, the men doing
watch duty throughout the night. l did not
close nv eyes for the night and did not take
an hours continuous sleep in our imprison-
rnent and kept my nerves as steady as could
for fear Of what mr influence might be on the
ladies. Only once did l see MIR. Wright seem
little dazed.
Wednesday it raired all day and was bitter
" cold. 1t began to snow at $50 p. m. and the
water supply gave out; and all during the day
countless objects passed our lookout, but no
boats to rescue us came in sight during the
dreary day of rushing waters, severe winds
and low temperature. We forced the ladies
to lie down and cover themselves with blankets
to keep warm, the men continuing their
dreary watch.
The most terrible part of our experience
came At $50 O'Clock Wednesday night when
we noticed fire in the southern part of the city
with he wind blowing at different times from
all quarters. We kept this from the ladies
during the night ard when they saw the re-
fectlon deceived them with a satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION for the me.
TT g water which had reached the third step
of he attic stairway began to recede at $50
O'Clock, causing untold relief and thankful
ness. We watched the water recede on the
buildings on the opposite side of the street by
the light Of the fire consisting of two business
blocks in the center of the city and several
houses in the residential section.
Thursday was fair and cold, with the waters
steadily receding. The relief boat reached our
attic with food-beans, hard boiled eggs and
bread, which we were glad to receive, although
our physical SuueTiuS was hoIHAS So1APoAco
with the mental torture.
At IL M Thursday the rescue party took the
ladies from the second story window and they
were obliged to &c regardless of the natural
inclination to wait for their husbands. At
o'clock they returned with the launch for US
and then came the most nerve racking search
amid indescrbable scenes when Mr.. Wright
aadiT wandered in search of the ladies'. At
asst we separated. taking opposite directions
. and at $50 Mr.. W. found them and when they
saw him alone they thought was gone After
locating them he came for me, and although
tired. hungry, dishevelled. all our clothing and
rnanv personal effects that can never be re-
nlaeed lost, and amid surroundings that we can
never describe and dread to think of, we were
grateful in every sense of the word for our
ives,
The above is taken rom brief notes penclled
on strips of brown paper by Frank W. Twombly
d,ripg his experience with his wife at Dayton
in the recent Ohio flood. The three notes made
after the rescue, martial law established, the
bread line, the relief stations-suggest to them
thoughts for chapters of personal history more
of others suffering than of their own, although