Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-28

An effort is to be made at once to res
cue them.
Inc suburb of Riverlale up to Helena
street mas been penetrated by the down.
town relief commission and conditions
found similar to those in the southern
suburbs. Everyone has been crowded to
the second floors or roofs of their homes.
but Few of the more stable dwellings
were washed away. Nothing is known
of the foreign settlement in North Day
ton close to the Miami river 1t was
this part of the city where the flood first
made its way and where the occupants
of the houses had ignored warnings to
leave. 1t was here also that it was fear
ed most of the deaths would occur. The
only body found was that of Charles
Parker. a liveryman. discovered In the
court house yard. The following is n
tabuated estimate of conditions. tonight:
cd. H. G. Catrow arrived with his
military aides from Columbus. this after
noot, and Immediately took charge of
the miltiamen on duty. At least five
NOR companies will be in Dayton. by
TOMORROW. according to Col. Catrow.
Co. Cox ordered that no more sight
seers be permitted in Dayton and when
Col Catrow attempted TO have railroad
coaeses of an incoming train vacated
man of the passengers showed fight
and efused TO leave. Orders were given
the tainmen to cut off the rear coaches
and hey were left standing on the track
one of the remarkable feature was the
cheerful spirit with which flood victims
viewed their plight. This was Dayton's
first big flood in many years. much of
the submerged area had been considered
safe from high water, but as the majority
of residents of these sections looked out
on all sides upon a great sweep of mud
dy, swiftly moping water they seemed
undisturbed In some sections the atti-
tude OF the marooned was not so cheer
full. As motor boat passed beneath
the second floor of one partly submerged
house man leaned out and threatened
to shoot unless they took off his wife and
a baby that had been born, yesterday.
The woman. almost dying, was let from
the window by a rope and taken to a
place or refuge. .5H
Further on members of motor boat
party we're startled by shots in the sec
ond floor of a house about which five
feet Of water swiried. The boat was
stopped and a man peered from the win
dow of the house
'why are YOU shooting?' he was ask
ed.
ooh, just amusing myself shooting rats
that come upstairs; when are you going
to take me out of here?' he replied.
Capt of Police H. F. Lackhart de-
clared that water in North Dayton.
Miami City and East Dayton reached the
house tops. His estimate of the num-
her of dad in that district was 800
The bodies of woman and a baby
were seen floating down Jefferson street.
one of Dayton's main thoroughfares.
1t was thought that they came from
the district north of the river. Accord
ing to city officials. it is impossible to
estimate the number who persisted in
the fire which, last night swept the
entire district on the north side of
Third street. between Jefferson street
and the canal. distance of more than
a square and half.
All patrons in the Beckel House are
safe Extensive preparations were
made, last night, for their rescue when
the building was threatened by fire. Po-
lice and volunteers constructed bridge
over alleys and the tops of adjoining
buildings TO a point of safety.
The flood situation, tonight. appeared
brighter than this morning.
There was food for the towns break
fast and dinner left after 8 o'clock. to-
night. but it was believed the many
trains of food and provisions on the way
would reach here. tomorrow.
The water receded rapidly, today. An
occasional snow furry and biting gusts
of wind added to the discomfort of the
rescue crews, but they remained stead
lily at work The. emergency commit
tee, today, began publication of an Of
fetal newspaper from the plant of the
National Cash Register Co. 1t was a
one-sheet poster designed for free cir
culation in all accessible parts of the
city. Its leading article warned the
people to beware of thieves and burg
lars.