Indianapolis Journal, Volume 54, Number 94, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 April 1904 — Page 1

ÜNDAT

JOURNAL.

34 PAGES 34 PAGES WEKKLY n?TAILISHKD 1S23. DAILY FTADLItHHD lv-0. VOL. LI VNO. 91. INDIANAPOLIS, SUNDAY MORNING, APRIL 3, 1001. PKICE 5 CENTS. OVERSTREET 13 NAMED FOR POSTMASTER GENERAL DIO HUT WANT NAHES OF J0HHST01-ÜKE FLOOD Ul ENGULF ST. MARY'S OF ROOSEVELT INDORSED Convention of Marion County Republicans Governed by Unanimity in Making Nominations. ACTS BY ACCLAMATION Mr. Payne Makes a Statement from His Sick Room Regarding "Influence" Report. O VE R ST REET I X S I STE XT Little Ohio City in Imminent Danger of Being Swept by a Fierce Torrent. BANKS ARE WEAKENING John L. Griffiths Is Choice for Presidential Elector Cockrum and Kothe Honored. Wanted the Xamcs o Statesmen for Use of the Postofnce Committee.

GONGRESSANO GAnDIDAGY

' ft' " V '- 5 ( fe I', .-' - , .? , ' "ri , - in min T i

CONGRESS

PR TED

IFTHE RESERVOIR BREAKS

rv rrr, s ss,.--i v .iiv vinv . c v'.io

And Twcntv Thousand Acres of Water Far Above the Place May Be Loosed. MANY MEN ARE AT WORK

TAYLOR IS INDORSED

Indianapolis Candidate for Gubernatorial Nomination Is Speeded by Fellow-Citizens. v The Republicans of the Seventh district, acting with absolute unanimity, yesterrtay afternoon for the fifth time renominated Representative Jesse Overstreet as their candidate Icr Congress. John L. Griffiths was namei v.s presidential elector and John B. Cockrum and William Kothe were . chosen as delegates to the national convention, with Marshall Pugh and James E. Twiname as alternates. Resolutions were adopted Instructing the delegates to vote for the nomination of President Roosevelt at the Chicago convention. Indorsing the national and state administrations, commending the record of the Republican delegation in Congress and dwelling- particularly upon the work of . Representative Overstreet and indorsing" William L. Taylor, of this city, as the Seventh district's candidate for Governor. Every action of the convention was taken .by acclamation and the enthusiastic harmony that prevailed was a revelation to a few Democrats who strayed Into the hall to witness the proceedings. The real, interest In the convention centered in the oratory and there were four or five addresses of the kind best characterized as "rattling good Republican speeches." The convention was held in the Criminal Court room and was called to order a few minutes after 2 o'clock by District Chairman Floyd A. Woods. The attendance was riothlng extraordinary, as there was nothWg in the way of contests to arouse unusual interest in the affair, but the room was well filled and there were seventy-five or 100 spectators standing. Chairman Woods announced that as there had been no contests reported from the primaries, no credentials committee had been appointed, and he called upon Gaylord Haw kins to submit his report of the committee on rules and permanent organiaztion. The report recommended W. I Taylor for permincnt chairman and Robert II. Bryson for , 4eecretary. It was adopted by acclamation. Mr. Taylor was given a cordial reception on assuming the gavel a recognition accorded him personally and as a candidate for Governor. He made a brief but effective speech, contrasting the policies and aahlevements of the two great parties and 4 prophesying an overwhelming victory for . Republican candidates and Republican principles at the polls next November. ' The committee on .resolutions was composed of Frank L. Littleton, L. G. Rothschild and Vincent G. Clifford. Mr. Littleton submitted the report and moved its adoption, which was taken without dissent. The resolution in full will be found in another column. MR. OVERSTREET'S NAME. The nomination of a. candidate for Congress was next in order and when the roll was called. John L. Griffiths was recognized to present the name of . Representative . Overstreet. Mr. Griffiths made one of his characteristically eloquent speeches. In wilch he paid warm tribute to the personal character and public services of the man he placed in nomination. Mr. Griffiths said in part: A man should be retained In the public service not only for what he has done, if he has done well, but on account of what we may reasonably expect him to do in the lw.ure. Experience counts for much in ail the vocations of lite, in battle the soldier feels more confident of victory' if seasoned veterans are in advance of him instead -of raw recruits. To retire a man from the public service at the time of his highest efficiency tends lo place a premium bn inefficiency and to surround incompetency with a halo. The serious criticism of our foreign policy is that by reason of the frequent changes of administration it lacks steadfastness and continuity. We carry our love of change so far that in certain judicial and congressional districts nominations rotate according to the counties which Ö compose the districts and frequently without any special reference to fitness. "When the Seventh congressional district, however, finds a good man. it believes in keeping him. For this reason at the next general election it will return Jesse Over--street for the fifth time to Congress. His first term of service in that body was as a member from an adjoining district. The frequency of elections in this country is attended with many disadvantages and some compensations. If a congressman proves unworthy the mistake can be corrected in two years. If he is worthy we should simply send Mm back again and Urain. requiring a higher quality of service eeh time because of his larger experience. "In honoring Jesse Overstreet we honor ourselves, for the representatives of the people in a democracy reflect not only their political faith, but their intellectual and moral standards. Jesse Overstreet is clean and capable, conservative und courageous. He dares to be unpopular when he believes he is right. He has borne himself with becoming modesty and In a spirit of fine simplicity. He Is a genuine man. After all has been said, it is only the sincere man who wears well. We like some one can tie to without being apprehensive th&t at any moment we may become separated from him because of his willingness to sacrifice a policy, a principle, or a friend to advance his own selfish interests." Gurley Drewer, in a brief but happy speech, seconded the nomination of Mr. Overstreet on behalf of the colored Republican voters of the district. No further nominations being made, on motion by Mr. Grliaths the nomination of Mr. Overstreet was made unanimous. A rising vote was taken. OVKRSTREETS RESPONSE. Mr. Overstreet was called for and respoed with one of the best addresses he has ever delivered In this city. He spoke informally, having been unable to find time in which to prepare an address, but he was none the less effective. "While I can use only ordinary words in thanking you for the honor vou have conferred upon me." he said. ul assure you that those words come from a heart that is full cf gratitude and appreciation for this vldence ft your confidence. I take more thyi ordinary pride in the Indorsements which the Republicans of this district have given me for this, the fifth time, and it is more than ordinary pleasure to me that I a: able to be here to-day to express to you, however feebly, my thanks and appreciation. My duties have been such as to deprive me to a great extent of the close astociation with my friends here at home. This is the first convention since the spring of ist that I have been able to attend, and in the last campaign, owing to my connection with the national congressional committee. I whs unable even to return home to vote. This year it was my earnest request that the convention be held ' at a time! that would permit of my being present." Continuing Mr. Overstreet said that the Ceventh w;i a district which any one might tCONTLVCED ONIAGE 2, COlTi)

HON JESSE OVERSTREET. Who Was Renominated for Congress by the Republicans of the Seventh District Yesterday.

BIG 1 A CROSSED

LAKE BAIKAL SINCE THE OPENING OF HOSTILITIES - One Hundred Thousand Men and Six Thousand Horses Have Tramped Over the Ice. PRESS BOAT IN TROUBLE War Correspondents Lose Two Japanese Servants, Who Are Arrested at Nieu-Chwang. ' BERLIN, April 3. One hundred thousand men and six thousand horses, besides considerable artillery, have crossed Lake Baikal since the, outbreak of the war, according to the Tageblatt's military expert. Writing from Baikal under date of March ID he says ho found that the authorities had done everything Imaginable for the comfort of the soldiers upon the railroad and the lake, and that the railroad .equipment was admirable. All the brldsres are Osteel with stone abutments and are care fully guarded. A Japanese who was arrested at Omsk on March 0 had in his possession a plan of the bridge there. The L correspondent says he is informed that the Infantry leaves the trains at midday dally beyond Baikal and is marched along the road until overtaken by the next train following, thus partially overcoming the difficulties caused by the Insufficiency of rolling stock, and. at the same time, securing a patrolling of the roadway. The Cossacks, he adds, are allowed to march every third or fourth day for similar reasons and to exercise their horses. IRKUTSK, April 2. The railroad across Lake Baikal has ceased operations in consequence of the breaking up of the ice and is being removed. Its assistance to the government in the transportation of supplies has1 been Incalculable. As an Indication of Its service it is stated that between March 2 and March 28 there passed over it" 1,693 freight cars. 673 troop cars, twenty-five ordinary passenger coaches, carrying officers, and sixty-five engines. The cost of the undertaking was 1250,000. WAR CORRESPONDENTS LOSE TWO SERVANTS NIEU-CHWANG. April 2.-The authorities here were considerably aroused to-day by the arrival of a press boat, indiscreetly bearing two Japanese servants, who Were arrested and probably will not be released for several months. On account of the fact that the Russians have not yet arranged the local status of correspondents, such indiscretions are apt to be Interpreted as indicating co-operntion with interests inimical to Russia, which may be inspiring onerous conceptions of the situation in the minds of the war correspondents. The entire crew of the staff press boat are under surveillance, and the vessel must leave on the first favorable tide. The correspondents are Richard II. Little, of the Chicago News, and Mr. Washburn. They are indignant over their detention. The Russian administration of this city and port, so far, has been liberal. It has been managed in the interests of commerce, allowing freedom to the cargoes and ships and placing no restrictions on the use of the railway and telegraph lines. MILITARY MAN SEES 1 THE PLOT OF RUSSIA PARIS, April 2. The military attache of oae of the emL-ssies says it is clearly part of General Kuropatkin's strategy to permit the Japanese to have a number of small victories in northern Korea to draw them northward toward Harbin. He adds: "These were the Russian tactics during the Turkish war, they permitting the Turks to win small skirmishes which drew them forward to where the Russians were massed at Plevna. Several victories in northern Korea will so stimulate the Japanese ambition that they will adopt the cry of 'On to Harbin,' which is exactly the point to which General KuropaJkin seeks to lure them." RUSSIANS THINK JAPS" ARE SORCERERS PARIS, April 3. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Petit Parisien says the Russian soldiers, who are naturally superstitious, have been deeply influenced by a widespread legend that the Japanese possess magnetic stones capable of rendering their adversaries powerless. The officers are endeavoring to restore confidence among the men. The latter, however, are convinced that they are fighting against RUSSIANS USING DOGS AS MESSENGERS SEOUL, Arril 2. It is reported here that 2.000 Russian troops. Including Cossacks and infantrymen, are Intrenched about the gate on the south side of Wiju. According to statements made by Koreans the Russians are utilizing trained dogs to act as messengers and order-bearers. The circulation here of. counterfeit fiveyen notes is causing great annoyance. RUSSIAN EXPLAINS V1CKSBÜRG INCIDENT ODESSA, April 2. Before proceeding for Sebastopol with the survivors of the -wrecked Russian vessels Varlag and Korietz. Captain Stepanoff made a statement to the Associated Press regarding the United States gunboat Vlcksburg incident at Chemulpo. He said: "All the time the Vlcksburg was sta tioned at Chemulpo her captalnheld aloof. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 2, COL75.)i

TEXT OF . THE LETTERS

Correspondence Which Mr. Pavne Had with Mr. Overstreet The McCall Report. Special to the Indianapolis Journal. WASHINGTON. April 2. Postmaster General Payne to-day added another chapter to the controversy over the publication of the names of congressmen in connection with the "influence" report. From his sickroom he issued a long statement in which he said the names were used against his protest. Correspondence and conversations with Representative Overstreet are given. The statement will be made a part of the report of the McCall committee, and it will be awaited with special interest. The statement shows that the postofflce committee obtained just what was asked for, and that notwithstanding the opinion expressed by Mr. Payne that the names of members should not go Into the report because 'it was not a matter of useful information to Congress or the country, the chairman insisted on having the names. It would seem that this statement of the case will raise an issue between the department and the committee as to what was understood should be contained in the report. At all events. this is not regarded as of serious moment, now that the facts have been inquired into. According to the present plans the Mc Call special committee will submit Its report on Tuesday. A strong and interesting summing up of the whole matter is ex pected, and it is believed that some tart comments will be made regarding the sys tem which has prevailed in the postal service under which the clerical force in the posofflces was supplied according to a secret arrangement unknown to the postmasters. It is also expected that the cases of members making requests for increases of clerk hire and for improvements in the rental of buildings will be dismissed by the committee with little in the way of criticism. A few cases may call for special comment, but in only two or three Instances have members been invited before the committee to explain their relations toward the excess clerk hire allowances secured upon their recommendation. BASIS FOR BRISTOW'S CHARGE. It is not unlikely that the McCall com mittee will find some basis for the charge made by General Bristow in his first report that George Beavers, former superintendent of -salaries and allowances in the department, made liberal allowances fcr clerk hire to three or four members of the House, notably those who were then members of the posoffice committee and In so doing violated the departmental regula tions, solely for the purpose of keeping in good favor with these members. But the members had no means of knowing that excess allowances were made. That rested entirely with Beavers. It will be these conditions and results which the McCall committee will criticise and certainly all members in the Northwest will be wholly exonerated from blame in the matter of their relation to the department. It was at the request of Postmaster General Payne that Chairman McCall, Representatives Hltt, Richardson, of Alabama, and Bartlett went to the Arlington Hotel this morning and discujsed with the postmaster general at his bedside the special report involving members of Congress in the matter of clerk hire and leases at third and fourth-class postoffices. Mr. Payne had prepared a statement which he wished to go into the record of the committee. The vital point iu the statement is that Mr. Payne was most positive in his protest that the names of members should not have been sent to the House committee on postoffices and postroads. The report in question was first submitted to the committee without the names and the second report with the names was sent to the Capitol upon a telephone order from the House committee on postoffices and postroads. The statement made by Postmaster General Payne follows: "I have been postmaster general since Jan. 9. 1902. Shortly after the present Congress convened in November last the department was frequently urged to make clerical allowances to offices of the third and fourth classes where allowances formerly had been made for clerk hire for separating purposes and had been discontinued by reason of the establishment of rural free delivery routes emanating from such offices and the discontinuance of star routes. Assistant Attorney General Robb, of the Postofflce Department, advised me that such allowances could not lawfully be made, and he subsequently, at my request, prepared a written opinion. I believe it fair and equl(CONTINUED ON PAGE 3, COL 4.) DUTCH TROOPS DEFEAT AIID 1IIIJ4I ACHIHESE Three of Queen Wilhelmina's Soldiers Are Slain and TwentyFive Wounded. FIGHT NEAR GAJOCLOEAS AMSTERDAM, April 2. A dispatch to the Telegram from Kota Raja, Island of Sumatra, to-day announced that a column of Dutch troops operating at Achln (northern Sumatra) engaged a strong, intrenched body of Achinese in the Gajocloeas district with the result that 541 Achinese were killed. The Dutch lost three men killed and had twenty-five men wounded. DEPUTY SHERIFF i ' KILLS ASSAILANT Bloodshed in the Tclluride .Mining District in Colorado. TELLURIDE. Col., April 2.-Robert D. Meldrum, a deputy sheriff, has shot and killed a man named Thisel in a boarding house of the Tom Boy Gold Mining Company In Savage basin; five miles from here. Thissel came in the room where Meldrum and several others were sitting and began to use abusive language toward Meldrum. A moment later he struck Meldrum in the face with his fist. Meldrum drew Iiis revolver and fired at Thissel, the bullet entering the latter's abdomen. He expired In a few moments. Manager John Herron, of the Tom Boy mine, who is a member of troop A, and a detail of soldiers were sent to the scene to arrest Meldrum.

An CONTEST FOR CONTROL OF NOWINJEDERAL COURT Demand Made by E. H. Harriman and Winslow Pierce for Return of Stock. BLOW AT HILL'S PLAX Modification of the United States Supreme Court's Decree Is Asked. ST. PAUL, Minn., April 2. The contest for control of the Northern Pacific Railway as between the Hill-Morgan element of the Northern Securities Company and E. II. Harriman has been transferred to the United States Circuit Court and an action has been begun by the Harriman interests to compel the Securities Company to return to the original holders the Northern Pacific shares exchanged for Northern Securities Company stock instead of the proposed division of Northern Pacific and Great Northern stock. The Harriman interests prior to the formation of the Securities Company held a controlling interest in the Northern Pacific stock, the struggle for which culminated in the memorable 9th of May panic on the New York Stock Exchange. A petition signed by E. II. Harriman and Wiuslow S. Pierce, acting as trustees for the Oregon Short-line, was filed in the United States Circuit Court late to-day asking the court to direct the Northern Securities Company to return to the original shareholders the Northern Pacific stock exchanged for Northern Securities stock at the time of the formation of that company. The petition was filed by Judge John G. Dillon and William Guthrie as attorneys for Harriman and Pierce, and notice of the action was served on M. D. Grover, C. W. Bunn and Judge George B. Young, the attorneys for the Securities Company. The petition is returnable April 12. The petitioners ask the court to intervene in the suit of the United States against the Northern Securities Compauy. Tho purpose of the intervention is to have the decree of the court modified and to have the court direct that the Northern Securities Company shall deliver In exchange for its shares the stock of the Northern Pacific that It acquired and to prevent a rateable distribution of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific stock among the shareholders as was planned by the directors of the Northern Securities Company. The papers in the case were drawn late this afternoon and the fact of their being filed did not become known until late tonight. ANOTHER FEUD MURDER III BREATHITT COUIITY James Johnson, Nephew of J. B. Marcum, Slain by Bummer Spicer. ASSASSIN IS AT LARGE JACKSON. Ky., April 2. News was received here to-night that James Johnson was shot and Instantly killed by Bummer Spicer at the mouth of George creek, ten miles south of here. Spicer was standing in a houseboat in the river and Johnson on a sandbar, and the shot was fired without warning and apparently without provocation. Johnson Is a nephew of J. B. Marcum, who was assassinated in the Breathitt county courthouse door a year ago and Spicer is a cousin of Sheriff Ed Callahan, a leader of the faction which is charged with bringing about Marcum's death. The rresence of the militia -in Jackson until nearly Christmas had a quieting effect in Breathitt county. Johnson is a son of Mrs. Mary Johnson, sister of Marcum, who was an important witness in the case against Curtis Jett and Thomas White, convicted of Marcum's assassination. At Isst accounts Spicer had not been arrested. General Payne to Travel. . WASHINGTON. April 2. Postmaster General Payne decided to-day to leaw here bv the middle of next week on a trip for M3 health of indefinite length. It is announced that it has not. been finally determined where he will go. Mr. Payne is able to sit up a little every day, but walks about his room with the greatest difficulty and pain, owing to the gout.

NORTHERN

PACIFIC

Easter Greet trig for the Old World.

SUBMERGED DISTRICTS E River Has Receded from Turbulent Condition and No Further Danger Is Feared. GUARDS DESERT POSTS Broad Ripple Quiescent After Flood Danger Spectacular Sights Seen. After fortyeight hours of suspense, during which the residents along the borders of Fall creek and White river were threatened with another flood, quiet now reigns and affairs are assuming their normal conditions. That the fall of the waters is this time permanent is believed, because of the eteadiness with which the streams are receding. A week ago the fall of the flood was quite as rapid as the rise, and it wps then predicted that the city would be visited with another similar disaster. At Broad Ripple fear for the Worst had not passed until 9 o'clock last night, when the guards wiio had patrolled the banks of the levee since. early the night before. relinquished their posts. - Sentinels trod the banks of the river all day ready to give warning at a moment's notice, but last night the rise subsided, and it is now believed that the floods of, the spring of 1904 are history. The same conditions practically exist all along the banks of the river and creek in the city. The rise that for a -while early yesterday morning threatened the North Side districts had begun to recede last night without any great damage to property. Northwestern avenue is again clear and street cars along this line are running through to their destination. Back water remains in the lowlands north of the broken levee near Senate avenue, but it is thought that will be clear in a few hours. ' Houses along Fall creek in the vicinity of . Indiana avenue, however, are still surrounded as is also the Riverside water station. The break In the levee at this place allowed a clear sweep for the flood and it will be several days before Cerealinetown will again be above water. The old pumphouse at the Indiana-avenue water station is still immersed. At midnight last night White river stood at fourteen feet and five Inches, just eight inches less than tlo highest point reached by the recent flood, and three feet and one inch less than the high waters of a week ago. From about 8 o'clock in the morning until 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon' the river practically stood at a standstill, but at 3 o'clock a slight fall was perceptible, which Is continuing at about the rate of an Inch an hour. Free from any debris. whatever the river, covering the broad expanse of the lowlands, under the silver rays of the moon presented a spectacular scene. The water is again out of the power house Continued on page 2, col 5.) MEN HELD PRISONERS HI MIDDLE OF A VAST LAKE High Waters Form Island and Lives of Hungarians Endangered for Hours. RESCUE THRILLING ONE ' From Friday afternoon until 5. o'clock yesterday afternoon two Hungarians were held prisoners on a little island created by the recent floods. The men were employed by the Indianapolis Southern Railway 'Company in the coustruction of bridge abutments at Pleasant run south of the Raymond-street bridge. The waters came up Friday, breaking through the levee leaving them completely surrounded by the flood. For twenty-four hours these men were isolated from, the mainland and the rapid rise of the floods threatened every moment to wash them away. Yesterday morning they were noticed by passersby and efforts were made to rescue them. The turbulent waters made it almost impossible to reach them with boats and it was feared that they would have to remain exposed another night. The police department was notified and Blcyclemen Hull and Griflln were sent to assist in the rescue. Finally two men. Robert Caldwell and Mcivln Bates, rowed out to the prisoners and safely towed them to shore. The rescue was not made, however, until after Bates had been swept from the boat by the current. The Hungarians could not speak a word of English. List night they were none the worse for their exposure. Dave Williams, a farmer living Just south of the Raymond-street bridge, came near drowning In his barn before assistance could reach him.

EMERG

FROM

FLOODS

AT 18 FRAUGHT ITH THE 1 Fear of Disaster to the Celina Reservoir Causes Hundreds to . Prepare for plasty Flight, i SERIOUS . AT COLUMBUS White River Is Rising Rapidly Peru Is in as Bad Condition as a Week Ago. Special to the Indianapolis Journal. PORTLAND, Ind., April 2. The waters which created , a panic here yesterday and dealt destruction to thousands of dollars worth of property have siightly receded, but the alarming condition of the west bank of the Celina reservoir is keeping all this part of Indiana in a state of unrest. The little town of New Corydon, fifteen miles northeast of here, is In a frenzy over the frightful outlook. The town Is seated in the Wabash valley fourteen miles northwest of the reservoir and the high waters of the last , two days have already washed away the high levees of the only roads leading out of town, besides either washing out or rendering unsafe the large bridges which span the Wabash river. With' the town nearly eighty feet below the big body of water which threatens to break througn the. west dam, at any moment, the situation Is fraught with grave possibilities. Besides the town of New Corydon a large farming community,, six and one-half miles wide and many miles long, would be at the mercy of a deluge that would be less merciful than the Johnstown disaster. In all the north part of Jay county and the. south part of Adams constant communication is being kept up this evening with Celina In order that, should the worst happen, the people will ' have at least a brief time In which to try to save themselves. The dangerous condition of the big artificial lake is best indicated by the extremely high mark at which the Wabash river stands here, so near its headwaters. There has been practically no falling of Its waters since last evening and at points in this county and Adams it is spread out over the land to the width of three miles. Several times during the day a panic has been created by rumors of a break, and there will be little sleep in the Wabash valley to-night. , The main part of the eastern Indiana oil field, is situated 'in the drainage way of the big reservoir, and its waters, from where they would - strike oil territory to where, their path of destruction would end, would have a fall of 75 to 113 feet. The loss to oil property alone probably would aggregate a million and a half, in case of such a disaster. Between Bryant and Geneva 1,100 feet of track are out, and the keeping of heavy trains on the long bridges is all that has held them in their positions. The Lake Erie & Western Railroad repaired Its tracks temporarily to-day so that through traffic could be resumed. WHITE RIVER RISING AGAIN A T COLUMBUS Special to the Indlanapolf Journal. COLUMBUS. Ind., April 2. The flood of last week will be eclipsed If White river keeps on rising at the rate it has been coming up all day. There has been no rain here for the past two days and some of the streets are dusty, but the river is on a boom. Last night the river began to rise, but reached a stand at 6 o'clock this morning. At 9 o'clock a body of water came down and the river came up one foot in an hour. Since that time It has been rising rapidly. Flatrock river is risiing and the backwater In Haw creek threatens to flood again the foundry of Reeves & Co. Blue river was reported to be falling at Edinburg this afternoon. No serious damage has been heard of since the recent flood, but a number of families are flood-bound. The roads leading west and north tf the city are under water and farmers who came to. the city early this morning were unable to reach their homes this evening. FLOOD OF WEEK AGO j EQUALED AT PERU Fperlal to th Indianapolis Journal. PERU, Ind., April 2. Flood conditions along the MIsslssincwa and Wabash rivers here are agaift at the point they were one week ago. Th Wabash is out of its banks, flooding the town of South Peru, on the south bank, and Is beginning to surround houses and cover ftrcets in the tCONTlNÜED ON PAGE 2, COL. 2.J

TATON

PORTLAND

GRAVEST

POSSIBILITIES

Striving with Might and Main to Prevent a Break Lewiston Reservoir Also in Danger.

ST. MARY'S. O.. April 2.-The possibility of a Johnstown-like disaster, but on a smaller scale, yet hangs over this llttla city, which lies below ' the banks of th grand reservoir. If the waters of the biff artificial lake, covering 20.0O0 acres, are loosed death and great disaster will result. The people have been given ample warning, but many yet remain in their threatened homes. " All day the situation was critical, and at midnight conditions were still alarming, with the wind blowing hard from the west and causing the waters to lash In fury against the weakening banks. At 11 o'clock tc-night the wind changed to the north, but an hour later it came from the west again. .The air grew colder, which hampered the men at work trying to save the city. The banks are washing badly, but the brush and logs placed at critical points are breaking the force of the waves. Sentries are ratrolllng the banks, while hundreds of men are riling sand bags at every weak point. AMPLE WARNING GIVEN. Laborers have been getting $3 per day and more for night work and when it was impossible to get enough at these rrlces hundreds of volunteers were secured among business men and farmers. The fine trees along the bank driveway have been felled so that this summer boulevard now looks like the track of a tornado. These trees with all the straw and hay available and innumerable sacks of sand have been used for riprapplng along the embankment where the wind caused the water to wash Into the embankment. All sorts of material have been used for riprapplng, much of it having been prepared for other purposes. The canal inspector to-night called for volunteers to work at St. Mary's during the night, as the laborers who have been employed the past two days were suffering from cold and exposure. There was more dread of a break during the night than by day. But even if there should be a general break no great loss of life is now anticipated. The people within reach of tho reservoir have had warning for two days. St. Mary's, half a mile northeasf of the reservoir, is thirteen feet lower than the bottom of the reservofr bank. Old canal men say that the entire town would be washed away and great loss of life follow. The County Commissioners of Mercer county to-day estimate the damage to bridges and highways along Beaver creek and Wabash river at $150.000. Thousands of acres of farming lands are Inundated. . Great alarm was caused at St. Mary's about noon by a strong southwestern gale that dashed the waters against the eastern bank In its weakest places. The water broke through the banks at different places, but not In any uncontrollable manner at any . one place. Every little leak or overflow was at once taken In charge by a gang of men. ' Preparations were made at noon for a general alarm on a moment's notice, as this city would be overwhelmed with the lake of 20,000 acres. In event of a break. It is estimated that a bad break would submerge the southern part of St. Mary's by from eight to ten feet. The lowest part of South St. Mary's is - already vacated and many moved out this afternoon. CELINA, ON THE WEST BANK, PROBABLY. SAFE CELINA, O., April 2. The danger of the Grand reservoir breaking its bounds at the ' west bank is at an end, unless a further rainfall and a stiff wind from the east should again produce menacing conditions. Celina, situated on the north bank of the reservoir, never was in danger from an overflow. The water would have gone out at the west bank, deluging the west half of Mercer county and flooding eastern Indiana. The wind from the west to-day was blowing the waters eastward, toward St. Mary's, and, while threatening damage there, has averted further fear of a break on the .west side. While this is the largest artificial bodr of water in the world, ten miles in length and over five miles in width, yet it is located at a level that should It occnr the waters would not move with the velocity that caused the Instantaneous destruction of human life and property at Johnstown. St. Mary's, a city of over 5A0 Inhabitants. Is the place that would suffer most if the banks gave way while the wind Is blowing from the west. Even a general break would affect only half of that city, and the people would be abl to find lodgements, so that the loss would be limited mostly to property at any place where a general break might occur. FOUR PERSONS DROWNED; LOSS ABOUT $2,coo,ooo CINCINNATI, April 2. Floods In northwestern and central Ohio this morning broke ail previous records, but special dispatches this afternoon Indicate that the waters arc receding, especially along the Miami valley. The damage from Flndlay south through Troy, Piqua and other points as far as Hamilton, is estimated at $20.0A other points suffering most being Jjma, Mansfield, Ottawa. Dunkirk. Rosvllle, Wapakoneta. Ashland. Delaware, Canton, Upper Sandusky. Delphos, Algo. Bucyrus, Mount Blanchard. Four lives were l.t A. C. McAdow. of Ottawa: Frank Warnccke, of Haleiiia; Ralp Kdleman, of Canton, and Fred Heitur. of Dunkirk. Twenty towns arc without natural gas. S-ver! cities are without power for water works, electric lisht or gas. or trciley cars. COLl-MBUS. O.. April 2. The SeloM river Is within two ftt of the highest iint It ever reached and nearly all the factories along the river are flooded and -the w-st jdde of the city U threateued with the worrt flood in years. The river became Millenary at noon. A portion of the State pcaltcotUxj

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