The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-03-26
WATCHERS WAITING
FOR DAYbREAK
IN DAYTON
Continued from Page One)

n of the concentration points. In
the woodworking department of the
National Cash Register
boats We're being turned out at the
rate of 10 an hour, and these We're
rushed to where the waters had
crossed Main street in Il gully.
But the waters crept up and the
strength of the current was far too
strong for the crude punts, though
they were the best that could be made
in a hurry. Trip after trip was made
and hundreds of the refugees were
taken from this stretch of houses. Then
came the path of the flames, starting
at Vine and May streets. 1t jumped
Main street and the houses on the
other side soon were in flames.
In the middle of the street were a
few frame houses that had been wash
ed from their foundations. These We're
sWirled about for a time as if to aid
in the passing of the section by fire,
they were cast into the path of the
flames.
Persons hurried from their own roof
tops, where they had been driven by
the flood, to the roof-tops of adjoining
houses
The worst of the flooded districts in
clude all of North and West Dayton,
all of the downtown sections, the south
as far as lakewood INC all Of the
residence suburb of Glendale. The
district has a normal population of
more than $4,000,
Roscuers and those at the hospitals
said an estimate of 5000 dead might
be as accurate as an estimate of 100.
AT the edges of the inundated dis
tricts the water ran from eight to 10
feet deep. Judging by this that would
be 20 or 80 feet downtown. While
those marooned in the offices and llo-
tells are in no Immediate danger of
drowning, there is no food or drink
ing water for them.
Thos in the residences, however, are
in constant danger both by flood and
fire. First the Trailer buildings were
swept into the stream, many showing
faces of Women and children ~peering
from the windows. These were fol-
lowed by more substantial brick build
ings, until it became evident that no
house in the flood zone was safe. The
houses as a rule We're washed but a
few blocks before disintegrating.
The body of one gray-haired woman
floated down the stream only a few
feet from the watchers at South Park
street. The body caught on a guard
rope, but was swept clear and was gone
before it could be recovered.
The flood came soon after daylight
this morning after The residents had
spent the night in terror.
The main leyee of the Big Miami
broke at Webster street about 8 j o'clock.
An hour later the water was through
in a dozen places and a wall of water
10 feet high swept through the main
street just above the juncture OF the
Big Miami and the Mac rivers, and,
where the water of the saltwater riv-
er poured into the Miami, the flood
reached its height and rolled into the
business section, a wall 90 feet high.
The Dayton News soo was under
feet of water, the flood rose to the
second floor of the Algonquin hotel
and all along Main street occupants |
driven to the third floors. What
happened to them since no one on the
outside can tell.
House looting began early in the
and while the local militia are on
duty they are incapable of handling the
Incidents without number are mar
of persons in the flooded districts
waving handkerchiefs and otherwise
signalling for aid. being swept away
before the yes of the watchers on the
waters. Many of the rescue boats were
swept by the current against what had
oeen fire plugs, trees and houses. They
we're crushed. How many died in his
way no one knows tonight. Canoes
nc row boats shared the same fate.
What life exists in the district that the