Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1921-06-16
WHAT PUEBLO SUFFERED
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Miss SuttsE Writes ". Red cross
bt Nuese's Exper1Gnce

WHAT PUEBLO SufFEkED
Miss suttsl Writes w. RED cros,
! Ae Mares Experisnce
Miss Matilda Suffer, daughter Of
Mr.. and Mrs. L. A. Suffer, a Red
Cross nurse, writes to her parents
from Pueblo where she was sent
with large party Of nurses, telling
Of the conditions there. Her letter
Is dated June II:
We came to Pueblo, 81 In all, 10
nurses, II medical men and the rest
enlisted men. Got here at IL 80 y.
M, reached Colorado Springs at $3.50
and were met by the governor at the
train. He took us all to some swell
cafe for dinner and we had mighty
fine dinner. We all ate for We
thought that would be the last good
meal for while. Well, they decided
| to run the train clear through to
Pueblo, the first passenger train to
20 over the tracks. The south end OF
bridge at Fountain was washed out
and we went over on a trestle. They
said 1t was SO shaky had it been day
time they might have given 1t up.
They had trucks all ready for US to
ride over from Colorado Springs here
which is IS miles. The Santa Fe
was In the flooded district so we
couldn't get into the Union Station,
so stopped out by the asylum In
about foot of mud. Only a very
few electric lights, practically every
thing was in darkness.
We rode up on the hill to the court
house which was turned into Refu-
gee Camp. Mexicans of the lowest
type were everywhere. The officers
slept on the tile floor, the enlisted
men bunked in the Y. NJ. @. A. and
the nurses went to different homes
at 1870, two at each house with
only candles and lamps with the ex-
ception of our fash lights. Water
was turned off from Friday until
Monday afternoon, also lights. Lights
were turned on in the residence part
on Wednesday,.
Oh! the desOlatiOn. One could
never describe it. The whole Next
can town was wiped away and some
barely escaped with their lives. Some
people from the higher parts went
down to see the water and had to
leave their cars standing and were
barely rescued. l took boots with
me and we waded to our knees in
Shiny mud.
PeOple were drowned while trying
to swim in the awful current. Hun
dreds Of horses persisted. There
was long train of stock which came
in and in Is minutes the cars were
all overturned and all the cattle
drowned. They have been busy car
ing for dead animals and bodies
since. Was down in a car tonight
1--WE are out at the camp now). we
took regular hospital train with us
and we are living in tent, in one
tent, sleeping on cots with bucket
Of water and wash pan and lantern
con, boy! it some experience
We had bath at the club house
today. We may be here for ten days
vet for we have lots of cases ana
more coming in. l am in the small
box ward. all MeXicans except two
white girls. Nurses were turned
over to the Public Health Service
and we are at our Red Cross tent.
The first two days we had sand
wiches, coffee and fruit, then we mad
regular meals. We walked miles
every day reporting sickness ana see
ing about sanitation.
The Arkansas river and Fountain
river came up Q feet higher than 1t
has ever been; three big dams went
out. Big safes in stores went down
stream and you can find cars OF
trains anywhere. autos hanging our
windows. A mule was found dead in
a millinery store and all wrapped
in flowers and tulle.
They are drying goods everywhere
on the grass. Main street or prac-
tically five miles was just wiped out.
We were ordered to camp We'd
nesday night. Across the street are
refugee camps for people who have
no homes and families gone. The
Salvation Army has its tents across
on the other side and we are all
fenced in with wire netting and
guards everywhere. One walks past
every night and our tents are right
In front so we hear Halt, who goes
there every few minutes.
Thirty-six big trucks from Fort
Bliss, Texas, are here. They are
hauling all the debris away. 1t is
not as blixon; we nearly die. 1t is
little cooler tonight. We are expect
ing our commanding officer from
Denver tomorrow. You ought to see
BUR nice long brown tents; every
hing is clean, all raked, with bitches
tut all around the tents for drainage.
The Red Cross and Knights Of Col
lmbus have tents out here where we
get clothing for all our patients. Am
Ill right. Had one dose Of typhoid
incubation and my arm is sore. VIII
write again.-Mathilda.