The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-03-26

Added TO the terrors II food and
darkness was that Of fire. In the wild
rush for places of safety that followed
the first warning VI the danger from
the bursting levees lamps were topped
over. electric wires were crossed and
soon flames We're mounting high in
many sections of the city
Piaua. small town about seventy
five miles north of this city. is reports cd
to have been swep: over by the food
tonight. and more than 500 persons are
reported to have lost their lives
Hamilton and MIddletown are expert
encing the worst foods in their history
There is an unconfirmed report that ,
hundreds have been drowned in Ham!l-
ton. and that in tokeotto, a factory sab |
urb. 100 lost their lives
In Middetown the loss % life and
damage to property are fully ns great
as in Hamilton. These cities are pitch
dark tonight. all of the lighting plants
having been submerged. People have
taken refuge upon roofs even in tree
tops.
National Guard Called out.
Companies Of militia have been
ordered To Dayton, Hamilton and
Middletown, but the railroads are sub
merged and the work Of rescue and re-
lief is slow Meanwhile the failure of
telegraphlc and telephone Commun.ca-
Cincinnati is not yet in danger from
the fast rising ohio River. The river is
still ten feet below the danger line Of
fifty feet. Cummnsvlle and other sub
urbs of this city are inundated and
no trains are running on the railroads
in or out Of the city.
Even the fragmentary news received
from small towns and villages tina, es-
capped the wors, of the floods makes it
certain that central and southern Ohio
Ia experiencing an unparalleled dis
aster from water.
Loss VIII Reach Millions.
The last telegram that left Dayton
was at i. NJ This said that is was
impossible to give the number OF dead,
but that the property loss would reach
millions of dollars
A hint Of the dreadful condition into
which Daytons $4,000 people we're
thrown was given by the statement that
within radius of two miles from the
centre of the city the upper stories of
office and other tall buildings were
crowded with refugees. These were
watching hundreds OF burning build
ings. There were people in the build
ings who faced the alternatives of death
by fire or drowning.
Adding to the horror OF the situation
Of the people who had fled to roofs
and upper stories was the spectacle
offered by the flood. Bodies OF people
who had been unable TO escape and who
had been drowned when the levees broke
drifted by on the rising flood.
Soldiers KILLED In Rescue Work.
The Governor has ordered companies
OF militia from various parts Of the
State to the relief of Dayton. Three
companies were attempting tonight to
reach Dayton from this city. Militia
men from other places nave managed to
reach the flooded district. Several SOL
diers have lost their lives while trying
to rescue citizens. Two we're drowned
early this evening while attempting
rescues.
Every effort is being made in this
city To organize relief expeditions for
Dayton and Middletown. Cincinnati
sent forty small boats. force of police
men, companies of firemen and "a large
supply Of provisions by special trains.
Physicians and nurses are being
rushed to Dayton. But reports re-
ceived here before midnight indicated
that the relief expeditions had been
hampered and blocked by the continued
rise Of the rivers. OF the three relays
of policemen and firemen sent from
Cincinnati toward Hamilton tonight
only one expedition. the first. was able
to arrive. An attempt is being made
to send the other expeditions by
roundabout route.
Cincinnati has contributed 81, 900 from
the municipal emergency fund to be
turned over to the flood sufferers in
Dayton and Hamilton. An attempt will
be made to distribute the money to-
morrow morning.
Levees Broke Unexpectedly.
The breaking of the levees OF the Great
Miami River was entirely unexpected.
When the cavein occurred thousands
were unprepared. The recent reports
received here say that there was a wild
rush to escape the rushing torrents and
that scores were overtaken and swept
under.
Extraordinary rainfall caused the
Great Miami and contributing streams
TO rise with incredible speed. Tho ievees
were unable TO stand the sudden strain
The Miami and Erie Canal which runs
through central part of the city. was
instantly flooded and its waters were
driven swiftly through the principal
streets.
a despatch from Louisville. Ky, re-
ported that the plant OF the National
Cash Register Company was afire.