Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, June 2, 1903.
WATERS ARE RECEDING.
Situation Not Likely to Get Any Worse at Topeka.
THIRTY-FOUR KNOWN TO BE DEAD.
Waters Extend From Bluff to Bluff and Business of All Kinds Is Demoralized—Flood Wave Moving Down the River Below Kansas City—Warnings of Danger.
Topeka, Kan., June 2.—The water in the Kansas river has gone down 14 inches and is falling at the rate of half an inch an hour. From Manhattan up the river comes the report that the water there is slowly falling. At Wamego the same condition prevails and it is now reasonably certain that the waters here will steadily recede.
At this time there are 34 known dead. Twelve of these are: Henry Jordan, colored; — Ward, old soldier; — Garrett, five-year-old son of Fireman G. H. Garrett; Forest Kutz, teacher; Mrs. Forest Kutz; Louise Seahaven; — Story, infant son of General M. Story; Mrs. James Jackson, widow, caught in her home by flood; John L. Adams, left on roof when his family was rescued from their home, gone when rescuers came back; Mrs. Ida Montgomery, who lived back of Citizens' bank on Kansas avenue, drowned in her rooms; Andrew Pretzel, a market gardener living east of Oakland; Henry Ludington, who lived in Oakland, last seen hanging to the branches of a tree in North Topeka Saturday morning.
The remainder of the 34 reported dead are those of unknown people seen to fall into the water by rescuers who were unable to reach them in time to take them from the roofs of houses and from trees, and bodies seen floating down the stream.
At 6 P. M. the water was stationary, 34.9 feet, with light rain still falling. Conditions could not become worse even though the waters were to rise a few feet higher. They now extend from bluff to bluff and business of every description is practically demoralized. There is neither electric light, water, nor street cars and little or no railroad service.
The fiend-wave is moving steadily down the river below Kansas City, and general warnings have been issued for dangerous stages for several days to come.
The Mississippi from Keokuk to the mouth of the Missouri is also above the danger line generally and some damage has resulted. The stages, however, will not be excessive.
Possibility of Contagion.
One of the most distressing features now is the possibility that there will be a spread of contagious diseases. People of all classes are huddled together in houses not large enough for them, and on all sides they are surrounded by water. Already diphtheria, scarlet fever and measles have broken out.
An emergency board of health has been appointed by the mayor to cooperate with the city physician.
It is charged that certain kinds of merchants have formed a combination for the purpose of controlling the prices on provisions.
A Rock Island relief train has reached North Topeka. It brought sixty boats and two steam launches. The boatmen are doing splendid work in taking flood victims to places of safety.
A long train of Rock Island passenger coaches were also brought, and in these the people will be taken to places further up the track.
Dr. Hakerth, accompanied by A. M. Baird, former foreman of the Santa Fe boiler shops, went over to the north side to attend some sick people. Their boat was swamped and the word comes that they are now in a tree. Efforts will be made to rescue them.
The people of Topeka have responded loyally to calls for supplies and shelter for the needy. Up to the present time the relief committee has had no trouble to supply what clothes are necessary and to feed all the hungry.
SITUATION IN KANSAS CITY.
No Gas or Electric Lights and Waterworks Shut Down.
Kansas City, June 2.—With gas and electric lights extinguished, the waterworks shut down and the city practically at the mercy of the first fire that shall break out; with railroad transportation feeble and uncertain, Kansas City may, if the waters do not recede within the next two or three days, be compelled to fight for her life, and today the skies are dark and threatening, the rain is falling heavily, more stormy weather is sweeping up from the west and the insatiable river is holding its own.
It is practically stationary now, but what the flood has it keeps, and there is no certain promise of when it will recede. The stage is 34.9 inches. Chief Connor of the weather bureau says that while the outlook is for continued rains, it would necessitate a very heavy fall if the present high water is to continue.
The first authentic information from Kansas City, Kan., was received last night. In that district 20,000 people are homeless, many have been drowned and the number cannot be really estimated. The property loss has been heavy. The situation there is a parallel to the situation here—apparently no better and no worse.
There is no great probability that there will be further loss of life, if the river does not rise very suddenly. All through the wholesale districts and in the east and west bottoms there are people still in the houses, many of them anxious to be taken away, a goodly number of them content to remain where they are with all the chances of flood. The police have done wonders in rescuing people, and have probably brought 250 of them safe to the high ground since sunrise.
In the east or west bottoms a number of obstinate people are still clinging to their homes. Although the police have run boats beneath their windows and offered to save them, they refuse to leave and will take their chances for another night at least.
It is utterly impossible to form any estimate of the number of dead in Kansas City. There have been manifold stories of how boats laden with people have been seen to sink—there have been reports without end of bodies seen floating by on wreckage, of men who have tried to drive wagons laden with their household effects against certain death in the swift current and gone down in the flood. The majority of these stories lack proof, however, and even if true, the proof may never be had.
It is likely that the number of fatalities in Kansas City, Mo., will approximate 50.
Down in the wholesale district people at dusk were waving white cloths to attract attention. The condition of some of these people is pitiable. They have been held prisoners for two days, threatened with death by drowning, and at one time by fire. For the most part they were without food and for 24 hours without drinking water. Every effort is being made, and they will all be saved today unless the water rises more.
The financial damage is about as great now as it is likely to be, unless the water rises much higher. The great danger is that the foundations of buildings may be undermined. However, the buildings that have withstood the flood all day have an excellent chance of holding out for some time.
There has been no suffering in the city beyond that sustained by the people driven from their homes. Excellent work has been done by the local relief committees and those in control of this work are confident that the city will be able to care for its own without calling upon other cities of the state.
Last night the city was in absolute darkness, save in buildings which have their own electric light plants. Power of the three street car lines that have resumed operation is furnished by water, piped from a small stream in one of the valleys.
The newspapers have been compelled to discontinue the use of their typesetting machines because of lack of power, and are setting type by hand.
DISASTER AT ELMIRA.
Three Men Killed and Several Seriously Injured.
SIX NEW BUILDINGS DESTROYED.
Disaster at Elmira—Hundreds of Windows Broken for a Radius of Two Miles—Two Bodies of the Dead Thrown 300 Feet Away From the Plant.
Elmira, N. Y., June 2.—About 1,500 pounds of jovite, a powerful high explosive, caused the death of three men and serious injury of several other by exploding in the screening room of the Explosives Manufacturing company's plant just south of this city yesterday afternoon at 5:10 o'clock.
Hundreds of windows were broken for a radius of two miles. The entire plant, consisting of six new buildings, was destroyed. The loss is $25,000.
The dead are: Lee Fuller, Earl Davis, Roy Rutan.
Two of the bodies were thrown 300 feet away from the plant and rendered limb from limb.
The injured are: Lewis Diven, acting manager, terribly cut about head and neck by flying glass, will recover; W. H. Manley, badly cut about head; Lawrence Frost, terribly bruised about body, will recover; Frank Rice, arm lacerated.
Czar Nicolas II.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Russia, the Machiavelli of Nations.
Caesar once dreamed of an empire consisting of the entire world, with Rome—his Rome, as he then regarded it—as the capital. But Brutus and Cassius lived at that time, and Caesar's dream ended in his assassination.
The present czar of Russia is the worthy if somewhat anemic young man who suggested the conference the result of which was The Hague peace tribunal. The czar would not be guilty of stepping on a worm, we are told, and yet he is willing to stand as sponsor for one of the most elaborate and most iniquitous schemes of aggrandizement the world has ever known. Beside the Russian scheme Caesar's dream pales into insignificance, for while it does not contemplate the grabbing of the entire known surface of the earth the number of persons involved in it greatly exceeds the number who would have been brought under the yoke of Rome had Caesar's light not been opportunely snuffed out by his erstwhile friends, who wanted to do the land grabbing themselves.
For many years Russia has been trying so to shape things in Europe that she might have the right to go in or out of the Black sea via the Dardanelles as she might see fit. She has sent vessels through, but it has always been with the "permission" of the sultan. Compulsion would long since have taken the place of "requests" were it not for that intangible "balance of power" which is but another way of saying "international jealousy." This fetish has kept Russia and everybody else out of Turkey, but Russia is still hopeful, and close observers agree that it is but a question of time when Russia will either get what she wants there or, at any rate, try to get it by force of arms.
Afghanistan is another country upon which Russia long since cast envious glances. It would be useful as a means of checking England's growth in the East Indies. If Russia could arrive at an ''understanding" with the ameer of Afghanistan she would have a powerful weapon to wield whenever England might object to her designs in Asia. Besides, it would also afford her the opportunity to reach tide water on the southern coast of Asia, something for which she has long wished.
Russia's selfish conduct in Manchuria is too well known to require repetition here. Going into Manchuria for the ostensible purpose of restoring order and protecting the interests of foreigners, she has stuck like a leech and is still promising as regularly as ever that she will soon get out. But she doesn't get out and, indeed, apparently has no intention of doing so unless the other powers shall eventually force her to do so.
There are those who declare that if she did not fear the vengeance of all Europe, with the single exception of France, Russia would speedily find an excuse to make war upon the kingdom of Norway and Sweden and then upon poor little Denmark, despite the fact that the czar's mother is a daughter of the aged monarch of that little country. This would provide a safe passage of the Skager Rack and the Cattegat into the Baltic sea. But there is no likelihood that Russia will obtain so strong a strategic position without actual war with Europe combined, and that she is not hankering after.
But, after all, when one reflects how Russia stepped in after Japan had whipped China and, depriving the brave little island empire of the fruits of her victory, actually turned it to her own advantage, it will be seen that in Russia's Machiavellian scheme of politics she has her future goal, no matter how distant, ever before her and steadily moves toward it.
1903 Oldsmobile Curved Dash Runabout.
MORE AUTOMOBILES.
The City Cycle Co. Sells two New Machines in Cortland.
E. B. Richardson of the City Cycle Co. has just completed the sale of two new Oldsmobiles to Cortland parties and negotiations were closed last week for the sale of two more machines to parties in New York City. The Cortland purchasers are Sherwood & Parsons and F. W. Melvin, all of whom are experienced automobilists and all have had previous experience with the Olds machine.
Sherwood & Parsons, who have been running an Oldsmobile since last fall, had an opportunity to dispose of their first machine last week and immediately purchased another of the same pattern with all of this year's improvements.
Mr. Melvin started last season with an Olds which he later sold and purchased a more powerful machine. This spring he sold the latter and has since been operating a Winton. Last week be sold the Winton to parties in Binghamton and has again ordered an Olds. Mr. Richardson is negotiating with other prospective purchasers and expects soon to affect the sale of several other machines.
S. S. Knox.
CORTLAND BOARD PUBLIC WORKS
Make Plans for Macadamizing of Port Watson-st.
WATER, SEWER AND GAS MAINS.
Gas Company Objects to Extending to the Bridge—Sewer Connections Desired, but Sewers are Below Water Level—New Side Walks Ordered—Bills Audited.
The regular meeting of the board of public works was held in the office of the city clerk last evening. Those present were, Chairman S. S. Knox, F. H. Cobb, C. F. Wickwire, C. W. Collins, Superintendent of Public Works E. L. Becker, and City Attorney Fred Hatch.
The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and approved.
The following bills were audited and ordered paid:
Cortland Standard Printing Co., $24.50
Democrat Printery, $25.00
Michael Garrity, $6.00
Charles T. Saul, $24.00
S. P. Hull, $16.00
Wickwire Bros., $2.00
P. H. Whitney, $5.80
Allen & Farrington, $115.50
Hollister Hardware Co., $5.50
E. M. Yager, $3.00
Pay roll for May, $565.08
Cortland Water Works Co., $65.01
The following side walks [sic] were condemned and owners ordered to lay new ones:
E. H. Bates, East Main-st., north side, new.
F. J. Peck, Railroad-st., south side, new.
Minnie Turner, Clinton-ave., north side, new.
Mrs. W. E. Wilkins, James-st., south side, new.
The matter of allowing rebate for cement walks constructed on unaccepted streets then came up. After some discussion the matter of issuing permits for such walks was left to the discretion of the superintendent of public works.
The next business before the board was the matter of plans and diagrams for the macadam on Port Watson-st. Allen & Farrington of Syracuse have offered to do the work including plans, necessary engineering, and inspecting, for 6 per cent of the contract price for building the road. Some members of the board thought this to be rather high figure. It was stated that the work of inspection, etc., is greater when paving with macadam than with brick or asphalt. Engineer Farrington was expected to be in Cortland today and the board decided to meet at 2 o'clock, today and have Engineer Farrington confer with them at that time.
C. W. Collins who together with Superintendent Becker and representatives of the gas and water companies was to make an inspection of Port Watson-st., to determine the location of and frequency with which water and sewer connections should be made, next made his report. He said that the number of connections or laterals from the pavement to the bridge was 102. Twelve of these are already connected, leaving 90 to be made. This provided a connection for every lot having a house built upon it and one in every 50 feet on vacant and unoccupied lots. Moved and carried that the connections be made as recommended and that the sewer and water connection pipes be laid in same ditch or channel.
The matter of extending the gas main below the Lehigh tracks was next discussed. Jerome Hathway was present and asked that the main be extended to Port Watson-st. bridge. Mr. Barker of the gas company protested on the grounds that the company could not afford to lay out $2,000 or $2,500 to lay a main where there would be but one or two consumers.
Mr. Collins suggested that if the gas company did not wish to lay their main the whole length of the street that they relinquish their right to the street. Mr. Barker said that before doing this he wished to confer with the officers of the company. He will do this and report to the board at its meeting this afternoon.
Mr. Hathway said he would like to make four sewer connections, but that the water level is above the sewer.
Arthur J. Keefe's bond for fulfilling the contract of laying sewers on Lincoln-ave. and Maple-ave., was then accepted. On motion of Mr. Cobb, seconded by Mr. Wickwire, the board adjourned until 2 o'clock this afternoon.
To Improve a Neglected Plot.
Members of the D. A. R. are making plans to beautify the triangular plot of ground on Clinton-ave. opposite the Congregational church. Although this plot is claimed by one or two individuals or societies it is neglected and is an eyesore to the city. The D. A. R., while not contemplating any great improvements, will have the open space graded and seeded. Later flower beds will be built and the letters "D. A. R." made from foliage plants, etc.
Mayor Brown has promised the ladies that he would find some dirt for the grading and all will be glad to know that this piece of ground is to be improved.
W. C. T. U. PARLOR MEETING
Held at the Home of Mrs. L. M. Loope on Saturday. May 23.
The W. C. T. U. held a parlor meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Loope on Saturday, May 23. The subject of the evening was ''The Temperance Temple of Chicago." The meeting was opened by prayer by Mrs. H. B. Greenman and a solo by Mr. Mead. Mrs. Frank Watson gave a recitation "The Temple," which showed its object. She also referred to Willard hall and said it was the only place in the United States where gospel temperance meetings were held every day in the year.
The temple superintendent stated that every office in this building is now rented, making an annual income of $175,000. It was urged that people put in $100 each and thus securing the placing of their names upon the New York state tablets in Willard hall.
Mrs. Newell read an article upon the temple and Mrs. Grace E. Hubbard had a recitation in harmony with the theme.
Little Doris Barnes told of the bands of white ribbon which stretched around the world.
Rev. U. S. Milburn presented the name for the tablet of Mrs. Julia A. Johnson, the faithful superintendent of this department for many years. The placing of this name on the tablet was secured by the payment of $100 for Mrs. Johnson, and was done as a recognition of her splendid work in the past. She has been the means of putting four other names on the tablet. Mrs. Johnson not being present, the gift was accepted for her by the president.
Mr. Milburn in his words made the hearts of the workers glad and proud. What he said carried all the more weight as he had been in the temple and had viewed it from turret to foundation, and regards it as a sermon of appeal to all lookers-on, not as a dead statue, but as a living one of truth, courage, temperance and faith.
The singing at this meeting by Mrs. Bentley, Miss Stout, Miss Cramer, Mr. Mead and a gentleman from Syracuse gave added pleasure.
Ice cream and cake were served.
Press Reporter.
Columbia Garden Opened.
Crowded to the limit, at the opening of the gardens on Court-st. last evening, the tent was packed to the doors and a program of metropolitan specialties was rendered to the full appreciation of the large audience.
Mr. O'Neil in his wonderful feat of acrobatic waltz clog dancing was the feature of the evening, and his assistant, Mr. Gaffney, was in line with farcical Irish comedy.
Mr. W. J. McQuinn, an eminent comedian baritone, rendered several pathetic ballads in a most successful manner and succeeded in touching his audience in a way that will make him a favorite.
Messrs. Brooks & Reisch closed the show with a very realistic sketch of country life entitled "A Bit of Real Life," which was laughable in the extreme.
Ice cream and ice cream sodas and soft drinks of all kinds were served and of a quality that will make the garden a favorite resort in the coming hot season.
Many ladies were in attendance.
The Valentine Bros., who have had the music in charge have been reengaged for the balance of the week and will give an open-air concert each night from 7:30 to 8 p. m, at the entrance of the garden.
BREVITIES.
—The Kindergarten association will meet in the Normal kindergarten Thursday at 3:30 o'clock. This will be the last meeting of the year.
—President's day for the Ladies' Literary club will be observed tomorrow at 4 o'clock at the home of the retiring president, Mrs. J. A. Jayne, 12 Madison-st.
—The new display advertisements today are—M. W. Giles, Make room sale, page 3; M. A. Case, Brilliantines sale, page, 6; Haight & Freese Co., Stocks, etc., page 7; F. E. Brogden, Ice cream soda, page 4; Hollister Hardware Co., Refrigerators, etc., page 5; Gas Co., Gas ranges, page 7; First National Bank, Banking, page 5.
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