Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-25
Many Houses Under Water.
Two Thousand Homeless at
Indianapolis; 5000 in State

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. March 25.-Fully
1000 families in Indianapolis had been
forced to leave their homes at noon to-
day by tie high waters, caused by inces-
SAINT rains. White river. Eagle creek and
Pleasant run are rising at the rate OF six
A levee along White river in Broad Rip
pie, suburb of Indianapolis, went out
today. driving 600 families from their
homes and washing out mile Of railroad
tracks. Only the roofs of some Of the
houses in the suburb are visible
The water company has warned Its
patrons to draw emergency supplies
Of water. as the company expected to
the food. The plant Of the Indianapolis
Gas Company is under water and the
pressure went out Of the mains before
noon.
Flood conditions throughout the state
are the worst in thirty years. and 1t
is estimated that more than 5000 fami
lies have been forced to leave their
homes. So far four deaths by drown
ing have been reported. but several are
said to be missing and may have been
swept away with their homes.
Rain Continues to Fall.
Rain. which has been falling in tor
continued. and on practically every
1ASOi LII OoSA0oI Ihc SAdSO ASdIS were
entertained for the safety OF leyees.
Railroad and traction bridges. as we'll
as stretches of track. were guarded
during the night, and every train en-
tering indianapolis today is marked
late. Orders were issued by nearly all
throughout the flooded state.
Reports from nearly every section Of
Indiana show that the entire state IL
In the grip Of the worst flood in years,
nx,1 t. ~
Of 1858 have been BEEN SURPASSED nsn Thous
sands OF acres OF land in every river
valley are flooded. Thousands Of homes
are surrounded and owners have fed
to higher land.
In many cases rescuers carried out
the residents In boats, and 1t is feared
that when the more remote districts
are heard from there will be a con-
siderable death list
Traction service In all parts OF In
diana IL uncertain and in some Sec
lions it has been abandoned entirely
At Marion, where the breaking of a
Mississinewa river levee forced 500 per-
sons to fee from their homes. no at
cars, while at Ellwood. where a break
In the Duck creek levee made 800
homeless, property damage Is estimat-
ed at $4,000. At Lafayette the Wa
bash river has reached a stage of
more than twenty-one feet after ris-
d
ing. There traffic has been suspended
and the Detention Hospital Is under
water. The inmates were rescued be-
fore the water reached the building.
Fort Wayne In Darkness.
Fort Wayne. at the junction OF the st.
Mary, the st. Joseph and Maumee
rivers, was flooded. The electric light
plant was submerged and the town
was without light during the night.
The three pumping stations there were
put out OF commission during the
night, and the town IL without fire
threatened. The rivers have reached
stages higher than In twenty years.
At Kokomo, Wildcat creek overlooked
the southern part OF the town and q COM
pany OF Indiana National Guardsmen
patrolled the submerged sections in
boats during the night There the cleo
trio light plant was Hooded and the town
is without lights. The mayor appealed
to Gov. Ralston, who authorised the use
| Of the militia.
The suddenness with which the flood
came caught farmers In every section Of
Indiana unprepared and thousands Of
head OF livestock were drowned.
In the suburbs Of Indianapolis the
| overflow OF White river and Eagle creek
drove hundreds from their homes and all
night police patrolled the Eagle creek
district and the White river levee. A
small break occurred on the levee. but 1t
10 believed danger OF more OF the bank
going out has been averted.
Conditions today promise to become
rapidly worse. for strong wind which
started just before daybreak threatened
to dash waves against the doubtful
hope to Indiana today. predicting more
rain.