The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-28
Ohio Property Damages Exceed
Those of San Francisco.
Governor Cox Issues Statement
Regarding Situation.
(By Governor James NJ. Cox.)

"
Columbus, o., March est is the
consensus of opinion that the proper
ty loss in Ohio will exceed that sus-
tanned by San Francisco. This appar-
emily incredible statement is easily
understood when the widespread des-
truction to railroad property is cal
culated. 1t is safe to assume that
more than half the large railroad
bridges in Ohio are down. The wat
ers are receding at Dayton, Piqua,
GAINESVILLE, Fremont, Tiffin, Chilli
cothe, Hamilton, MiddletOwn and Col
umbus, and while the cold weather
which came late last night was well
come because of the certain deterrent
effect it would have on the rising tide,
still the pinch of the cold adds to our
difficulties, because untold thousands
of people are homeless. Besides, the
fall of the water will reveal the real
tragedy of the whole situation. We
ought to know tomorrow approximate
ly what the loss of life has been. The
indications last night were that the
list may not run as heavy as fore
casted at Dayton, but there are grave
fears that a tremendous tragedy will
be revealed beyond the Scioto river,
where the west part of Columbus is
completely devastated.
Dayton is relieved in one respect.
The ten or twelve thousand people
penned up in the business buildings
were freed by the middle of the af-
ternoon. BY daylight the relief trains
started coming in from the north, the
Lake Shore having surmounted the
difficulties from Toledo south. We
were more than anxious to know
whether they would get through, but
very early reports came from Spring
field that the troops were passing in
several sections. that the naval militia
with boats were drawing close to
Dayton and that the rugged heroes of
the lake attached to the federal life
saving service were bringing up the
rear.
Troops and Supplies.
From the west of Dayton troops and
supplies came from Eaton. From the
northwest six hundred troops with
stores came by way of Troy and Tip
pecanoe City. By the early part OF
the afternoon the good effects of this
relief work added much cheer to the
distressed. The city was alive with
boats controlled by hands that defied
the elements People were rescued
from the residential sections OF North
Dayton, Riverdale, West Dayton,
Edgemont and South Park and the
main streets of the city were alive
with craft filled with people. In the
main business section the water re-
coded to about II inches and with
some difficulty foot traffic was re-
Columbus awOke yesterday in
blizzard which gave a cherries as
pect to things, but the first word
came from Bell, the hero of the whole
situation, the operator who has stood
by his guns throughout, Good morn
ing, governor. The sun is shining in
Dayton" He was still at his post and
firm in his faith that
things would still come out all right.
Adjutant General Wood was heard |
from for the first time this morning.
The circumstances attending his i'm |
give a good idea of the |
movement of the waters |
and show how it was that the whole |
business population was trapped. Cen !
eral Wood was within a square of his |
residence on North Main street and |
yet it was impossible for him to get |
to his home. He took refuge with DR.. |
G. w. King and remained there until |
last night, when he attemepted to join |
his family. The boat was upset and |
he was compelled to swim into the |
Dayton City club.