The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-03-28


late. Thousands, however, were
affected by the water who had
never been threatened before
and this made them feel safe in
places which later were devast-
ated by boiling currents. Street
cars stranded on the Third street
bridge for two days without fuel
or provisions. They caught
such driftwood as they could,
and used it for fire, while their
only food was such as could be
tossed them from boats. This
was a hazardous feat as the
whirling of the muddy water
about the abutments and grid
ers of the bridge drove the wav-
es into white caps, and the cur
rents threatened to draw down
those who ventured on rescue
work.
It seems that there never is a
calamity but that it might have
been worse, and Dayton is thank
full that the rush of waters came
early in the morning, and after
sun up. This made it possible
for families in most instances to
remain together, for all to be
awake and dressed, and with suf-
ficient light by which to see.
Had it all occurred late in the
night, attended by the destruc-
ton Of the electric lighting sys-
tenn the loss of life would have
been many times what it is now.
POOR ARE VICTIMS.
Although it cannot be told
how many are dead it is safe to
say that when the list is chronic
led it will show mostly poor and
lowly in it's numbers. There will
be some in moderate circum-
tances, and a few of the rich res
idents, but due to various cir
cumstances the dead will in the
majority be of the very humble.
In the Polish settlement the loss
will be frightful. North Dayton,
also known as Texas" lays be-
tween Miami river as it comes in
to the city from the North and
Mad river which flows in from
the east. These two rivers meet
and between them were the hon.
es of hundreds of day laborers.
Nearly all these houses were
frame and of but one and two
stories. The river levee is high
er than the roofs of most of them
and when the levee broke natur-
ally they were completely sub
merged. The inhabitants drown
ed like rats in traps.
Those who lived in apartment
houses with several stories, or
were caught in down town bust
ness houses had a chance to
climb above the waters level, but
there was no such opportunity
for the unfortunate residents of
North Dayton.
Many substantial and wealthy
citizens live in Dayton View, a
part of the city not submerged,
and they are doing valiant serv-
ice toward relieving the distress
ed. No attempt is being made by
any one to attend to his own per
sonal business. Automobiles and
vehicles of every kind are haul.
ing people from danger to places
of safety, and carrying clothing
and food. These rich people have
thrown open their homes to any
one unhoused, while every
church and school building not
under water is being used as a
relief station. Men, who have
made successes of their own bus.
mess, are giving their time and
training to the work of relief
and this feature is moving syste.
matically and with telling re.
suits.
GOOD WORK OF SOLDIERS
Thanks to the soldiers there
has been little looting and disor.
der up to date. Now that bridg.
es across the river are in use
people living in the Northwest
and Western portions of the city
and those who have taken refuge