The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-24
FLOOD AUTO SHOW
CIoudburst Drops Tons of Water
on Coliseum Roof.
Timbers Give Way and Expen-
sive Cars Are Wrecked.
OKLAHOMA CITY is FLOODED
Rainfall Today Covered All
Missouri Valley.
Two Days Dust Storm al
Hutchinson Is Dispelled.
OKLAHOMA CITY IS FLOODED

Oklahoma City, March 24-Buck-
ling under the weight of tons of wa
ter, two sections of the roof of the new
Coliseum building. Packingtown,
crashed down on expensive automo-
biles on display at the automobile
show this morning.
Large sections of the roof at the
northeast and northwest corners of the
big structure were unable to hold the
sudden weight of water, which inun-
dated the top of the building to
depth of more than foot.
The roof gave way with a crash, the
splintered timbers falling upon the
automobiles below followed by a tor
rent of water. Two negro porters en-
gagged in polishing cars had a ne rrow
escape from being caught in the de-
bris.
The two sections gave way hardly
| two minutes apart. In the northwest
section. the Packard exhibits bore the
| brunt of timbers and water. with much
damage also resulting to Nash trucks.
Following the crash exhibitors in
other parts of the building were maxi
ing preparations to remove their cars.
This. however, was found unnecessary
as the two breaks in the roof proved
adequate to carry off the water.
Oklahoma City Is Flooded.
| A heavy rain started falling here this
morning. Owing to insufficient sew
y,
| town streets were flooded with water
and in many places the sidewalks were
| covered.
According to the weather bureau
the rain is confined to the centra
and eastern portions of the state. The
local weather office has as yet, no
measured the precipitation. At Mus
kogee 10 of an inch fell up to
| o'clock this morning.
| Wheat and newly planted crops were
badly in need of rain and crops wer,
greatly benefited by the downfall.
Rain Ends Hutchinson Dust Storm
Hutchinson, March PA dus
storm of two days ended at 5 o'clocl
this morning when a rain came from
the southwest. 1t covered centra
Kansas but west of Hutchinson ther
: were only scattered showers. The fal
here was 80 of an inch.
Il Members of the Hutchinson boar
of trade declare the wheat in tn
moisture territory would be great
, benefited.
l Northwest Missouri Gets Rain.
} st Joe. March 24-Northwest Mis-
f souri, was visited today by the heavies
} rain in a year. More than two inche
5 was registered. 1t is of great benef
to pastures. wheat and land for ploW
{ ing. Considerab BILE damage was don
= here by cellars flooding.
e The rainfall at Oklahoma City dun
= ing the mornings S storm was 1.2 inche
e Many residents said that for fe
: minutes it was the hardest rain the
had ever seen here. a telephone CO
0 BILE of the local telephone compan
Y was washed out causing more tha
500 telephones to be put out of orde
Arkansas City, Kan, March "a
A most welcome rain began fallin
: here shortly after 10 o'clock til
morning. breaking a long droutl
: The severe dry weather and the du
II storms of the past few days haN
y placed the farms in bad shape an
u the rain today. if it continues. wi
. be worth millions of dollars to tt
crops. which in some places have bee
covered bY drifting sand