The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-03-21

story window with a gray cat perched on his shoulders. Another family brought dog.
 Gas Tanks Float Around
 Two gasoline tanks of 100000 gallons capacity each, bobbed around in the Columbia Gardens area, smashing into homes and drifting toward Brainard aviation field, which was under 25 feet of water. Eight other tanks lodged against houses.
 At 9:30 a. m. the yellow water lapped within half a block of Main street, Hartford's major thorough fare, and was within 50 yards of the old State House at City Hall Square where relief headquarters were To- cated. Everything from there to the river front was inundated, includ- ing Water, Commerce, Front, Wind sor, State, Hudson, Pearl and Sheldon streets and Connecticut boulevard. Most of East Hartford was under water.
 Over Second Telephone Floor
 At the telephone company build ing, the water was one foot over the second floor level. Nevertheless, the company maiptained 25 per cent service and hdped to restore nearly complete service by Monday.
 Electric power still was out throughout the city. Despite the darkness, officials said no attempts at footing had been reported. The militia was on guard throughout the flood zone.
 Boiling of all drinking water and milk was ordered. As an additional health precaution, all refugees will be examined today by the city med ical department.
 Indicating the extent to which re- lief facilities were taxed, 800 single men slept on the floor of the Foot Guard hall last night without blan- kets.
 Homeless In Middletown
 Middletown, Conn, next import ant city on the Connecticut's course to Long Island Sound reported more than 2,000 persons homeless and property damage in excess of 3D. 500,O00. Coast Guard boats were as- signed to protect the Portland bridge there from being battered by oil tanks drifting down river. Gus tave Meister, 46, of Cromwell, died at a Middletown hospital from shock after his home was flooded.
 In Glastonbury, nine miles east of Hartford, 250 homes were fT1arooned and 45O refugees spent the night in churches and schools. Cottage sheds and barns were swept away last night.
 MiddIetown Mcnaced
 Middlctown, Conn.,, March 21-- (UP)-The Connecticut river con- tinued to rise here today, causing the evacuation of one hundred addi- tional homes.
 The rise since 10 p. m. was set at between three and four fee5. Authorities reported that the quar- ter-mile long highway bridge span ming the river between Portland and Middletown still was standing, but that its loss was considered im- minent. The water was at the floor ing of the structure which was be- ing battered by debris. Three coast guard cutters which had been standing by at the bridges edge, were moved to safe distance.
 The Hotter Yacht club contain ing 35 or more large yachts, was washed from its foundations late last night. The craft drifted airn- lessly down the fast swirling waters.
 There was no suffering in the city as there is an abundance of food and all refugees from the food stricken area were being provided for in the armory and Y. M. c. A.
 Extensive damage was done to the hundreds of oil tanks along the river, this being the central distrib- uting point for many companies in the state.
 Chester and Cromwell were cut off from trafflc this morning, with many houses in the latter town be- ing washed into the stream with the additional rise in the night.
 c. c. c. units and militia pa- troled the streets although martial law was not in effect.
 Telephone service throughout the city proper remained intact al- though there are no lights or pow CT, causing the Middletown Press to publish in Meriden.