The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-03-25
CITY VIRTUALLY
REBUILT AFTER
1913 DISASTER
Floods Here Left $1,000
Homeless: Damage Toll
in Millions.

annapolis residents recalled the inun-
dalton of 1913 that, twenty years
ago Saturday. made $1,000 homeless
in the city and damaged millions of
dollars worth of property
The flood that killed persons in
every part Of the state and brought
Indiana one Of its greatest major
calamities, occurred two days after
Easter Sunday.
On Saturday, March %, Indian
apolis newspapers carried stories
that fair weather would be on hand
Sunday for the biggest and best
Easter day parade"
But the sunshine failed TO mate
rialize. Instead rain, which was to
last five days and nights, started to
fall. However, "easterly Winds
were predicted for the following day.
These proved to be a cyclone which
took the lives Of twenty persons and
made 1000 homeless in Terre Haute.
Creek Leaves Banks
Meanwhile, indianapolis fought
heavy rains, and on Monday, March
"a, the first Of scores of families
was rescued by boat from their
home on Kentucky avenue near
Eagle creek. Eagle creek had left
its banks and George Crunk ST., and
his wife and children were taken
from their home.
BY morning of the 25th, Indian
apolis faced its greatest flood crisis
1t overshadowed the flood of 1904
and every section Of the city, near
Fall creek, White river and Big
Eagle creek was endangered.
1t was estimated $500 families,
chiefly in the West Washington
street. West indianapolis district,
were homeless. Street cars we're
halted on routes, the West Wash
ington car barns were flooded and
Eagle creek was "a raging torrent
from One-half to mile wide"
Thousands Walk Home
Business became paralyzed before
nightfall as the waters spread. Lines
of communication we're cut off and
thousands of workmen who had rid
den to work, walked to their homes
that night.
At Belmont street and Kentucky
avenue 100 homes we're flooded and
the old Oakley Club, then a road
house on Kentucky avenue, was
flooded to the second floor.
Howard street and BiSmark ave-
nue., now Pershing avenue, felt the
force of White river flood waters.
On Wednesday, March rs, the
estimates of homeless reached 49,
900. Sights of men, women and
children hanging to the roofs of
houses in the cold and rain, calling
for help were seen everywhere. The
West Washington street-White river
bridge collapsed and the heavily
stricken area of the city was with
out communication.
Shank Pleads for Aid
Mayor Samuel Lewis Shank
pleaded for aid from all citizens
not affected.
The river left its banks at Broad
Ripple and through the south and
west sections of the city. Fall
Greek climbed its banks and water
went north as far as Twenty-sev-
enth and Illinois streets and south
to Twenty fourth street.
Hospitals were damned with
residents suffering from exposure
and injuries. State troops were on
duty, watching every bridge and
aiding the suffering. Rescue boats
saved lives on West New York,
Michigan and Tenth streets as the
flood waters rolled over the low
areas.
Industrial companies with plants
along the river and creeks found
their properties inundated.
Snow Storm Hits City
And with all this tragedy terrific
snow storm and cold weather
struck the city The snow ham
pered relief work and there were
hundreds of tales of narrow scapes
and daring rescues.
In the hospitals and relief sta
tions, fathers and mothers pleaded
for aid in finding children Where
is my wife?" or Where is my boy
and girl?' we're heard again and
again.
Many parents saw their children
rescued first and then when aid
came they were unable to locate
the boys and girls.
Every bridge in the city was I'M
der guard, and on the north side
only the Capitol avenue structure
remained open. Thousands walked
to work and the Polar Ice and Fuel
Company. storage firms and other
companies loaned wagons for trans
portation.
Money Pours In
The motorists were in the height
of popularity and many cashed in
on the situation to sell rides.
Mayor Shank closed every saloon
on the west side.
The next day came the plea for
money. One hundred thousand dol
lars was needed. Food and cloth
ing we're wanted And the city re-
sponded.
Relief stations, including Tomlin-
son hall, were crowded with mat
tresses, blankets and clothing and
money poured into the relief COM
mittee.
That was the turning point. Grad
ually the water receded. Some In
dianapolis districts practically were
rebuilt.
Families we're reunited. Another
city had braved a crisis.
Burglar Ransacks House
Ransacking the home of Mrs
Margaret J. Nohl, 9l2 North LaSallt