Arizona republican., 1921-06-05
AWatOr Brings First Story Of
 Flood Disaster
[RepubIIean A. P. Leased wirel

DENVER. Colo, June 4.-The first eye witness report of the Pueblo flood disaster was brought to Denver late today by William A. Kimsey. pi- lot of the airplane which flew to Pueblo with staff correspondents of The Associated Press and the Rocky Mountain News.
 After circling above the stricken city to make an accurate appraisal of the havoc wrought by the flood wat CTS. kimsey and his passengers land ed in the outskirts of Pueblo. the first persons from the outside world to reach the scene of the catastrophe.
 Following his return to Denver af- ter daring flight. Kimsey detailed the conditions at Pueblo as he sew them from the air and as he heard of them from refugees who flocked about his plane after he landed at the state fair grounds.
 From an altitude of about 1000 feet" said Kimsey. the business dis trict of Pueblo looked like a sea of mud and water. The district which know well from other flights over the city was hardly recognizable on account of the vast piles of debris.
 The railroad station stood out as an island in n lake. but the tracks were completely submerged. and cars could be seen floating about. The waters of the Arkansas were backed up on the right bank for what ap- peared to be several blocks and that section of the city between the depo, and fha Nfrr.a fa rf.f.. .F Vaile hotel was submerged.
 "All outlying districts in the low lands appeared utterly devastated and for miles around there was noth- ing but a vast expanse of mud. dot ted here and there by houses perched at some odd angle.
 T didn't leave my plane after landed in the city. but a number oi residents told me of the horrible con- ditions and verified my aerial obser. vations. They said that there hac been no chance to start a search fol tho dead and the missing. but tha- the police lines were being formed fairly well. and that the situation which for hours was one of panic anC wanton destruction by iooters, wal getting more controllable.
 Between Pueblo and Colorad, Springs all bridges as far as I coul, observe, were washed out and tn flooded city was entirely cut off |, the north. Although I did not g' south of Pueblo. l could not see an, bridges in commission in any direc tion out of the city.
 When we got to Pueblo the cit. was cut right in half h- the foo and 1t appeared impossible for thos on one bank of the Arkansas to reacl those on the other, a situation whicl the refugees told me was creatinl great consternation. When I wa leaving I was told that one of tn viaducts connecting the two mai parts of the city would soon be Il commission. relieving the confusion.
 In describing the flight from Den ! yer to Pueblo. which was successful accomplished in spite of adverse fly ing weather. Kimsey said:
 Several times on the way dow we got lost in the clouds. flew ahea , in the chance there would be a hol , and we had good luck. The onl towns we sighted on the way dow were Castle Rock. Monument an Fountain.
 At Fountain the tracks were undc water and a passenger train scene to he partially turned over"
 kimsey said the roads betwee
 Denver and Colorado Springs wei
 passable and that traffic could |
 seen moving along without great dii
 ficulty. South of Colorado Spring peared like ghostly no-man's Ian