The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-06-05
DEVASTATION IN
THE FL0OD-SWEPT
DISTRICT BEYOND
ANY IMAGINATION
AIRPLANE PILOT TELLS GRAPH
CALLY OF SCENES OF RUIN AS
VIEWED FROM THE HEAVENS
CLOUDED CANOPY

Denver, Col. June 4.-The first eye
witness report of the Pueblo flood dis
aster was brought to Denver late to-
day by William A. Kimsey. pilot Of the
airplane which flew to Pueblo with
staff correspondents Of the Associated
Press and the Rocky Mountain News.
The plane was owned by Don o. Hogan
Of Denver.
After circling above the stricken city
to make an accurate apprisal OF the
havoc wrought by the flood Kimsey
and his passengers landed in the out
skirts of Pueblo, the first persons from
the outside world to reach the scene
of the catastrophe.
Following his return 10 Denver. after
daring flight above clouds which OBJ
secured the earth completely at times.
Kimsey detailed the conditions at Pu-
eblo as he saw them from the air and
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 district Of
I Pueblo looked like a sea Of mud and
water the district, which l know well,
from other flights over the city, was
hardly recognizable, on accoupt of the
vast piles Of debris.
The railroad station stood out on an
| island in a lake, but the tracks were
completely submerged, and ears could
| be seen floating about. The waters OF
| the Arkansas were backed up on the
right bank for what appeared TO be
several blocks and that section of the
city between the depot and the approx.
innate vicinity Of the Vail Hotel was sub.
merged.
"All Of the outlying districts Of the
owlands appeared utterly devastated
and for miles around there was nothing
but a vast expanse Of mud. dotted here
and there by houses perched at some
odd angles.
II didn't leave my plane after / land
ed in the city, but number Of resi-
dents told me Of the horrible conditions
and verified by aerial observations They
said that there had been no chance
TO start a search for the dead and miss
ing but that the police lines were being
formed fairly we'll and that the sltua
ton which fer hours was one Of panic
and wanton destruction, by looters. was
getting more comfortable,
Between Pueblo and Colorado
Springs all OF the bridges, as far rs
could observe. were washed out ans
the flooded city was entirely cut off &
the north. Although | did not go south
OF Pueblo. could not see any bridge
In commission and in any direction ou
Of the city.
when We got to Pueblo. the cit!
was cut right in half by the flood ant
1t appeared impossible for those or
one bank Of the Arkansas river TO reach
those ON the ether, q situation which
the refugees told me. was creatinl
great CONSERVATION. When | was leav
ing | was told that one. OF the viaducti
connecting the two main parts of tn
city would soon be In commission, re
lievlng the confusion"
In describing the flight from Denve
to Pueblo which was successfully nc
complshed in spite Of adverse eflyinI
weather. Kimsey said:
NtNtIdi NlilltS vi <Ht way uuWH W
got lost IN cloude and flew ahead in tn
chance there would be a hole. and W
had good luck. The only towns W
sighted on the way down were Cast
Rock Monument and Fountain.
At Fountain the railroads track
were under water and passenger trail
seemed to be partially turned over. Il
p. spite Of the poor flying conditions W
= landed In Pueblo at i;l5 o'clock. jus
: one hour and 4h minutes after We tool
off from the flying field here"
. kimsey said the roads between Den
. yer and Colorado Springs were passabl
I and that traffic could be seen movin
along without great difficulty. Sout
, of Colorado Springs. however. he sal
! that everything appeared like "Uhos
ly no mans land" -.