The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-04
TEN MILLION
DAMAGE DONE
TO PROPERTY
Mountain Streams Swell to
Rivers Following CIOudburst.
Pueblo Under Twelve Feet of
Water Today.
THOUSANDS OF CATTLE DROWN
Crops Inundated, Railways
Washed Out, Wires Down.
Fear Many Tourists Trapped in
Mountain GuIleys.
MARTIAL LAW DECLARED
LOOting of Deserted Homes
Adds to Citizens Terror.
Mines of Stricken Area Are
Being Flooded.
LOOting of Deserted Homes
Adds to Citizens Terror.
tBy the Associated Press.)


Pueblo, Colo, June 4.-The loss of
life from the great flood which came
rushing upon the city of Pueblo from
the overflowing OF the Arkansas and
<Fountaine rivers last night at LAS
O'Clock this afternoon was variously
estimated between 1900 and 5000
persons.
The property loss will exceed $10,-
100000, according to estimates made
at this hour.
Denver, Colo, June with the
latest report from Pueblo uncon-
firmed, but to the effect that the
death toll of the flood which swept
that city last night might possibly
reach several hundreds, details of the
havoc wrought by cloudbursts thru
the eastern half of Colorado, were
coming into Denver slowly at noon to-
day. From all over the stricken area
reports were sent of homes washed
away, people by the hundreds fleeing
to high lands, thousands of cattle
drowned and millions in damage done
to crops and property.
The damage caused by the flood in
Pueblo is variously estimated, but the
most authentic figures place it at over
$2.00O,000 in the railroad yards alone
and at more than $4,000, 900 to other
property in the city. The railroad
yards are sea of mud and slime,
strewn with wrecked box cars and
railroad equipment.
State Rangers on Duty.
The Colorado state rangers, under
command of Col. Pat Hamrock have
taken charge in the city, to prevent
looting and to establish as possible
temporary shelters for the hundreds
or homeless people. The greatest suf-
fering is reported from a section of
Pueblo mostly inhabited by foreigners
and steel mill workers.
Wire communication with Pueblo is
, being re-established slowly. Thus far
the telegraph and wire press service
+ has been irregular and most of the
tra1flc over the big commercial COM
pany lines has consisted of official
state business.
Rain was still falling this morning
in northern Colorado and southeastern
Wyoming. Denver had the heaviest
June rain in twenty years last night,
and weather forecasts indicate con-
tinued showers for Denver and the
eastern slope of Colorado.
The precipitation at Pueblo was re-
ported at 2.92 inches.
Denver & Rio Grande train No. 5
turned over while standing still. few
miles outside of Pueblo, according to
a report to the railroad office here.
The accident was caused by the un-
dermining of the roadbed by the flood
The cars went over slowly and pas
sengers are ali believed to have
escaped without severe injury.
Martial Law Declared.
Martial law has been declared al
Pueblo. Fire which ragged there dur
ing the night was extinguished today
Terrified residents kept rescue par
ties busy all night with their cries fol
help. Looting was begun when night
came on. State troops kept an al
night vigil. The Eighth avenue an6
Fourth avenue bridges over the Ar
kansas river were swept away and the
remaining bridges were guarded tC
prevent persons from crossing.
Automobile Paul Reveres gave
warning of the flood to residents o,
the towns of Lafayette and Erie. below
the Marshall dam, which was expected
momentarily to go out. Mines in the
vicinity were flooded.
Riveulcts Turn to Rivers
Little mountain streamlets. swolleI
to surging rivers by heavy rains. tool
four lives. made hundreds homeless
and caused several millions in prop
erty loss in northern Colorado today.
Crave fears were held out for hun
dreds of tourists, unwarned by ap