The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-24


Mrs. Thomas McGee.
Mrs. Henry Ramsdell
Mr.. Thomas MCGee.
Ed Hough, 80.
Missing.
Mss Olefa Sailing.
Iola. March 24.-Ed Hough. so. was
drowned today when his boat capsized
in the Neosho river near Humboldt.
Hough. the report said, was trying 10
salvage merchandise coming down
the river from Burlington.
Burlington. Kan. March 24.-FIood
water here had all left the city about
o'clock this afternoon. and firemen
were cleaning the streets. No serious
food shortage is anticipated, accord
ing TO local merchants.
Burlington, Kan. March 24-Bur-
Hngton, county seat of Coffey county,
is counting the toll of the worst flood
in the towns history. A cloud burst
which struck the town yesterday eve
ming sent Rock Creek out of its banks
and in two hours the main street of
the town was a torrent.
The water rushed against the rear
of stores on Neosho street. the main
business street, crushing in the rear
walls, sweeping counters. goods and
front Of the buildings. John Red
mond. editor of the Burlington Re
publican, this morning estimated the
damage at nearly one million dollars
Three bodies have been recovered
and one person missing IS believed to
have been drowned and her body
washed away.
Food Shortage Faced.
So complete was the destruction of
the stores and their contents, this
fe
shortage Only two grocery stores
escaped the flood and outside aid will
be needed The Emporia Chamber of
Commerce is organizing for relief of
the stricken town. One mile of NJ. X
& T. track, north of the town. and two
culverts are washed ont Tracks south
of town on the NJ. X. & T are out.
Superintendent s NJ. Moore of Par
sons, will arrive in Emporia this af-
ternoon on the Santa Fe and will or
ganize work train on the NJ X & T.
which will leave Emporia at noon
The Santa Fe's branch line at Grid
ley is washed out and last evenings
train into Grfdley is stalled at Bur
lington- A work train has left OF
taWa-
Rescues Effected Thru Roof.
Mud and mire cover the streets of
the town In the flood water came
automobiles. show cases. overalIs.
storegOods Of all kinds.
All night, people worked in boats
by ald or lanterns reSCulng marOOned
people In several places it was nee
essary to chop holes in the roofs of
houses to let the people out.
The rivers near Emporia are rising
rapidly. Coal creek, a tributary of
the Cottonwood river, is eight feet
higher than at any time in the recol-
lection of pioneers.
Cottonwood River Rises.
The water stands six feet deep on
q bridge near Neosho Rapids. The
water came up so rapidly il carried
away many head of livestock and
farmers have sustained serious losses.
Eagle creek, another tributary of the
Cottonwood is out of its banks and
cattle have been drowned. Many
acres of bottom laid in Lyon county
are inundated.
Raining Again at 10 O'Clock.
Linemen for the Emporia Tele-
phone company reached Burlington at
10 o'clock. Ballast is washed out on
the NJ. X. & T. in many places. The
station of Blue. near Emporia. is like
a lake and II was necessary to push |
a gasoline car carrying the linemen |
thru water Two thousand feet of I
track north of Burlington is washed /
off the right OF way and into a field /
One thousand feet is out in the town
The town looks like a cyclone had /
hit II. said r. E Long. foreman of !
the line crew. The bare walls Of
some OF the stores are standing and ;
the entire stock has been washed :
away. Houses and dead animals are
floating down the river which is bank Z
full. Burlington does not fear dam !