Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1904 — PERIL FROM FLOOD. [ARTICLE]

PERIL FROM FLOOD.

CLOUDBURST MAKES 600 PERSONS HOMELESS. Newton, Kansas, Inundated—Rivers of the State Rising—Railway Traffic Demoralized and Towns ThreatenedFear at Kansas City, Mo. All tributaries of the Kaw River In Kansas are rising rapidly and a serious flood is threatened. Heavy rains continuing for two days at a time have prevailed all over Kansas at various periods within the last thirty days. Twice within that time most of the streams have overflowed their banks, washing out railway tracks and crops, destroying much property and rendering several hundred persons temporarily homeless. But each time there came a lull in the rainfall, the rivers ; rece.4ed and almost normal conditions prevailed. Further heavy rain storms have again swollen the streams, this time beyond the height experienced in the two former rises. While the conditions are not such as brought on the great June, flood of last year, preparations are being made to meet the situation as it may develop. Jlailroad traffic is demoralized and already many through trains, both east and west bound, are stalled. The principal streams affected are the Kaw, the Smoky Hill, the Republican and the Marais des Cygnes. So far no casualties have been reported. At Newton, Kan., over 600 persons have been rendered homeless by a sudden rise in Sand Creek, which flows through the north and west portions of that town. The flooded district embraces about one-fourth of Newton and in many houses the water stands as high as the second-story windows. The rise in the creek was caused by a cloudburst and the water rose so rapidly that hundreds of persons were caught in their homes. Rescuing parties were immediately formed and hundreds of men worked all night rescuing the unfortunates. Morning found all removed to places of safety, but with the water still rising and further heavy damage likely. There were many narrow escapes and much suffering. At Council Grove the city is threatened with a flood as serious as that of last year when the property damage amounted to over $300,000. In the lowland dozens of families ha,ve already moved out their household effects. At Parkville the water in the Neosho is within two. feet of last year’s record and still rising and the merchants are moving their goods to upper stories. At Ellsworth the main street is flooded.