Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-03-28
WATER DEvASTATES CHIC AND INDIANA
lCOntiMued from page H.

also been unable TO obtain any infOr-
nation concerning them.
A blizzard that covered most of the
flooded portion of the state Thursday
added greatly to the suffering and
doubtless caused many more deaths
before the rescuers could furnish re-
lief. The menace of fire also contin-
ued to rage, several blocks in the heart
of Dayton being destroyed, while fire
in lesser degree caused much damage
in the smaller cities throughout the
state.
All day Thursday several hundred
men worked hard in bulwarking the
weakening banks of the Lewiston res
ervoir, IS miles north of Dayton, one
of the largest reservoirs in the world
and battling against raging wind
which was sweeping the water over
the banks, the workers managed to
keep the reservoir within bounds. The
nent, however, and every effort is be-
ing expended to keep ii in shape.
Relief measures are being perfected
in many of the cities, however, and it
is believed that much of the suffering
will be relieved by tonight. Carloads
of provisions, clothing and other sup
plies are ready for transportation as
soon as trains can be moved and the
Ohio National Guard is ready to aid
All of the cities in the affected dis
tricts are under marta law and ev-
erything possible is icing done to pro-
tect property and bodies from lootirg.
Thursday and all day Friday, as the
food began 20 subside in the central,
western and southwestern portion of
Ohio and Eastern Indiana, the situa-
tion in Eastern Ohio became more
acute and many cities were flooded,
though the loss of life and property
was by no means as great. Along the
Ohio river, however, and in the river
towns of Western Pennsylvania the
situation hourly became more acute
and Cincinnati and other Ohio river
towns began preparations for the worst
floods in their history. Warnings also
were sent out to all towns in the lower
Ohio and Mississippi river valleys to
prepare for the approaching food.
1.-THE exact extent of the appalling
flood in Ohio is still unknown" says
statement by Governor Cox of Ohio,
preceding an urgent appeal for funds
sent broadcast throughout the country.
Every hour impresses us with the un-
certainty of the situation. The waters
have assumed such unknown heights
in many parts Of the state that it
will be hardly less than miracle if
villages and towns are not wiped out
of existence in the southern and south
western parts of the state
my judgment is that there never
has been such tragedy in the history
of the republic
The situation in Indiana was much
lIlC SdulC, tuOuSu lIC uiSlLlCI HOOuCu
was much smaller. West Indianapolis
was cut off from the rest of the city
and martial law was proclaimed by the
mayor because of alleged burdensome
increases in the prices Of foodstuffs by
commission men and grocers. In Pc
ru, Ind, SO dead were reported.
From 600 to 1000 people lost their
lives in the flooded west side of Co
lumbus, Ohio, though the true extent
of the awful tragedies enacted during
the sweeping away of homes and the
exact toll will not be known for sew
eral days. A score of towns in the
flooded districts cannot be reached.
Complete reports are expected to sup
port Governor Cox's statement that
the floods have rendered 250,000 per-
sons homeless. All railroad. interur-
ban and street car service is at a
standstill.
Relief expeditions are unable to
reach those maroened in buildings in
the various cities and can only stand
helplessly by and watch the leaping
flames force hundreds from the build
ings to certain death in the muddy
torrents which are rushing through
the streets at 20 miles an hour.
So great has been the life and prop
erty loss in the two states that Presi-
dent Woodrow Wilson issued the fol-
lowing appeal:
1.-The terrible floods in Ohio and In
diana have assumed the proportions
of a national calamity. The loss of
life and the infinite suffering involved
prompt me TO issue an earnest appeal
to all who are able, in however small a
way, to assist the labors of the Amer
lean Red Cross to send contributions
at once TO the Red Cross at Washing
ton or to the local treasurers OF the So
ciety.
I'VE should make this q common
cause. The needs Of those upon whom
this sudden and overwhelming disas-