The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-03-27
HORRORS Of FIRE
ADD TO TERR0RS
Of FLOOD
Another Calamity in Stricken
City of Dayton
VICTIMS REFUGE DESTROYED
Suffering from Hunger and Privation
Follows Loss of Friends and
Homes.

Dayton, O., March 27.-Fire again
broke out in the business section OF
the city today and the flames, famed
by a prevailing blizzard, are being
carried into the buildings in which
the flood victims had sought refuge.
A number of firemen who attempt
ed to check the holocaust persisted in
the effort.
A rescuer returned here today af-
ter trip north which is said to be
the longest journey in that direction
since the flood broke lose. He said
that he would estimate the loss of
life at not less than $500 and that
figure, he said, was conservative. He
was unable to lend any assistance to
the refugees in the burning buildings
and he saw number perish by fire
while others jumped into the water
to escape the more agonizing death
by fire
No boat can proceed into the local
ity visited because of the strength of
the current.
Columbus, O., March Ex-Governor
Cox today issued proclamation urg-
ing the people of the country to tele-
graph funds rather than to send sup
plies, because of the conditions of
the railroads.
Dayton, o., March 26.-Flames that
destroyed eight buildings in Daytons
submerged business section tonight,
cast a red weird glow over the food
STRICKEN city that added to the fears
of thousands of refugees and maroon
ed persons and led to apprehension
that there may have been many of
the waters prisoners in the burned
buildings.
Soon afterward notice was posted in
headquarters of the emergency com
mittee announcing that the city was
under martial law and several com
panies of soldiers arrived from neigh
boring Ohio cities. The soldiers were
employed to patrol edges of the burn
ed district and prevent further looting
of homes freed from the floods grasp.
UP to late hour tonight there had
been no material disorder
Rescue squads worked frantically
today to throw back the evil that
hides the true story of the Dayton dis
aster-the number of dead. Late to-
night, the arrival of motor boats gave
hope that by tomorrow the northern
section of the city, now cut off by the
big Miami's impossible barrier, may
be penetrated and then may be learn
ed the fate of hundreds imprisoned
by the torrent that poured down from
the broken reservoir.
Already over-burdened victims of
the waters wrath were compelled to
suffer again today in a cold smarting
rain.
Fire that appeared to threaten the
business section tonight was confined
to the block bounded by End and Bird
streets and Jefferson and st. Clair
streets. In the block are the Fourth
National bank, Lattim Drug company
Evans Wholesale Drug company and
several commission houses.
1t was impossible to get within two
miles of the fire, but from that dis
lance it appeared that explosions,
probably of durgs. made the fire seem
of larger proportions than it was.
II was impossible to ascertain, even
approximately, the number of persons
who might have been marooned in
this section and who died after being
trapped by food and fire. Neverthe
less, rescue work went steadily on
and about 5000 persons were housed
in places of refuge tonight. the ma
jority of them in buildings of the Ma
tional Cash Register company At
least $1,000 persons are imprisoned
in homes and in business buildings.
IL is feared their two days imprison-
ment accompanying hunger and fright
have caused tremendous sufferings
The flood came with such suddenness
that food supplies in homes were
whisked away by the torrent that
reached the second floors in almost
the fash of an eye. Skiffs skirted the
edge OF the flooded district attempt-
ing to take food to those whom it was
impossible TO carry off but the fierce
current discouragingly retarded this
work.
Dayton was practically cut off from
wire communication until late this
afternoon. Then two wires into Gin
cinnati we're obtained and operators
plunged into great piles of kilograms
from Daytonians almost frantic in
their desire to assure friends outside
of their safety. Operators at opposite
ends of the wires reported that thous
ands of kilograms were piled up at
relay Offices. These we're from peo-
pie anxious to hear from their Day
ton kinsmen.
Two oarsmen. who braved the cur
rent that swirled through the bust
ness section OF the city today. report
ed that the water of the Algonquin
hotel. at the southwest corner OF
third and Ludlow sereets. was Is feet
deep. From windows in the hotels
and business buildings hundreds OF
the maroOned begged piteOusly for
rescue and food. The oarsmen said
they saw no bodies floating on the
hoodtide, but declared that many per
sons must have persisted in the wat
ers' sudden rush through the streets.
Oarsmen. who worked into the out.
skirts Of the business section tonight.
reported $50 persons marooned in the
Arcade building. and goo imprisoned
in the Y. ". c. A. building were beg
ging for water
A shortage Of provisions was threat