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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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FREMON ■ FLOOD
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MARCH- 2 5- 28 1 9 1 Q
FREAVONT OHIO
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Historical Souvenir
FREMONT FLOOD
March 25-28, 19 13
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Published and Copyrighted 1913 by
The Finch Studio
Fremont, Ohio
Approved by the Relief Committee
Price 50 Cents
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Contents
Frank B. Finch
— Finch
—Finch
65 Views of the Flood and after Destruction
The Entire General Relief Committee on Library Steps
State Relief Commision at Foot of Croghan's Monument
List of the General Relief Committees and all Sub-Committees
Our Hero Captain Isaac Floro A. W. Overmyer
General Review of the Flood Father Jenkins
The General Relief Committee W. G. Waitt
The Chamber of Commerce John Combs
Military and Civil Protection Mayor _Stausmyer
Feeding the Hungry Irvin Fangboner
Legislative Solicitation T. A. Dean
Sheltering the Homeless Miss Brady
Church and Charity Work Mrs. S. J. Ryan
Purchasing and Distribution of Supplies Committee
Destruction of Property E. J. Carter
Financial Relief Committee
Compared with Other Floods E. Stanley Thomas
Press "Pick-Ups" and Sketches Ed. Hilt
Breaking of the Dam Cornelia A. Cast
Experiences of Actual Flood Sufferers Mrs. Zoe Long, R. W. Sherrard, Laura Reiff, Marie Adler
Active Rescue Work Frank B. Finch
Looking .Southeusl from Dr> Bridge
— Grob
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State and
Red Cross
Commission
H. S. Johnson Gov. J. M. Cox General John C. Speaks James F. Jackson J. H. Patterson S. O. Richardson Jacob schmidlapp Geo. W. Lattimer E. P. Bicknell
This is a slightly enlarged from our Number 35 which was
lalcen Wednesday morning when the water was the
highest and has been our most popular
picture of the flood
COMMITTEES
W. G. Waitt,
N. C. Sherwood,
Mrs. George Zimmerman.
W. G. Waitt. Chairman, 5-3.
John Coonrod, Mrs. George Zimmerman, 1-2. E. J. Carter, 5-4. Mrs. S. J. Ryan, 2-4. Miss Brady, 2-2. Mrs. H. S. Buckland, 1-15. Mrs. Paeth, 2-1. Mrs. George Bloom, 1 -3. Mrs. W. H. Loose, 2-3. Mr. Karbler (not in picture). Father Jenkins, 3-6. Father Kappus, 1-5. G. A. Kramer, 4-3. W. S. Lewis, 3-8.
Executive Committee. J. B. Coonrod, W. E. Proctor,
General Relief Committee.
C. Stausmyer, Mayor, 5-6. N. C. Sherwood, Vice-Chairman, 5-1.
Secretary, 1-8. W. E. Proctor, Treasurer, 5-2.
Lester Wilson, 1-12.
James Hunt, 3-1.
W. H. Loose, 3-3.
J. Bell Smith, (not in picture)
I. T. Fangboner, 1-11.
John J. Lutz, 4-2.
J. H. Combs, 3-5.
R. A. Hunsinger, 4-1 .
Harry Gottron, 1-13.
Amiel Althoff, 3-9.
H. Winnes (not in picture).
A. W. Overmyer, 3-2.
George L. Lamme, 4-5.
R. W. Sherrard, 1-14. T. A. Dean, 3-4. George Bloom, 1-4.
E. C. Cast. 3-7. W.D.Ross, 1-9. Simon Fronizer, 1 -6.
C. C. Bowlus (not in picture).
F. J. Giebel, 1-10. John Nitschke, 1-1. A. E. Slessman, 1-7. E. C. Sturm, 4-6. W. E. Lang, 4-7.
J. A. Gabel, 4-4.
W. E. Lang and W. D. Ross, Secretaries.
( Figures following names refer to picture on opposite page a nd indicate the row and position in row )
Rescue Committee.
John B. Coonrod, A. E. Slessman, John G. Smith, Captain Sturm, James Cookson.
Volunteers: A. J. Tuckerman, John Loschert, Chas. Pero, John Walters,
Chas. Heid, Chas. De Mars, Jas. De Mars,
0. C. Norton, Geo. Lucas,
Food Committee. J. J. Lutz, C. C. Bowlus,
Lunch Committee. Mrs. S. J. Ryan, Mrs. W. G. Waitt,
Housing Committee. George Stroup, G. A. Kramer,
Investigating Committee. E. J. Carter, John B. Coonrod,
J. J. Lutz, G. A. Kramer, Geo. Lamme,
Distributing Committee.
Voorhes Collier, E. C. Cast.
Clothing Committee.
Mrs. Thomas J. Maxwell, Mrs. J. C. Carr.
Finance Committee.
Lester Wilson, E. J. Carter.
Shelter Committee. Miss Ellen F. Brady, H. W. Birkmier, Mrs. E. L. Marshall, W. G. Beckberger. Mrs. Ed Hilt
Household Utensils Committee. Rev. Father Thos. Jenkins, Prof. R. A. Wales, Dick Sherwood.
Purchasing Committee. E. C. Gast. W.S.Lewis. O.L.Miller, John J. Lutz.
Legislative Committee T. A. Dean, Carl F. Steinle J. H. Combs, A. W. Overmyer, George Lamme
Jacob Yanck,
I. T. Fangboner,
Mrs. Geo. Zimmerman,
Miss Ellen F. Brady,
Rev. Father Thos. Jenkins, W. D. Ross, W. S. Lewis,
Dick Sherwood,
Miss Anna Schmidt,
W. E. Proctor,
Walter Childs, Francis Baumer.
G. A. Kramer.
Miss Halm
George Lamme
R. A. Hunsinger. E. C. Gast.
Our Hero, Captain Isaac Floro
By A. W. Overmyer.
As our friend he came, as our hero he left,
No shining regalia he wore; The only insignia of rank he possessed
Was the burden of years that he bore.
Out on the death-dealing waters he went, With no room for fear in his heart;
His mind on a service of mercy was bent; Just quietly doing his part.
"Look out, boys!" he shouted — a moment of doubt,
As the life boat he captained was tossed; High on the swift raging current thrown out.
Our brave Captain Floro was lost.
Lost to this life, but his name we revere, And our memories will cling to that day.
When each on his bier dropped a rose and a tear. As we tenderly laid him away.
General Review of the Flood
Rev. Thomas Jenkins.
SIX is an easy figure to remember, so let us say that the water was six feet higher than in any previous flood of the Sandusky. This is substantially true for the whole flooded area, the difference, such as it was, being due to immediate local conditions. Let us hope it may never reach that stage again; but until it does, people will measure their own and the community's experiences by reference to the flood, as being either before or since.
On the North Pacific Coast there is a zone where the rainfall reaches eleven feet per annum. A story is told of a well-known Presbyterian minister, who, in the early days of American missionary work there, preached to the natives on the Great Flood of antiquity. The natives listened very attentively and dispersed quietly after the service was over. But later in the day a select number of them went to inquire, in the light of their own experience, how this could be. "You say him rain forty days and forty nights and mountains and trees him all drowned all a time. Injun, him see him rain one moon all time, and two moon all time, and hills and mountains and trees him not get drowned. You white man, you all wrong. Injuns no believe you white man preached."
Well, if it had rained even for one moon here as it did on the three days of March, the 23rd to the 26th, there would be no one left in Sandusky County to tell the story.
The first reports of the loss of life and property, and general destruction and devastation were all exaggerated; this is no surprise, and when this is corrected, the loss in every way is tremendous. The estimate has not diminished since the end of the first week. Fortunately, with the subsiding of the water, no more dead bodies have been found besides these three, Captain Floro, Frank Sailer and John Homan This is admittedly due to our good fortune in getting efficient aid from some of the Lake towns.
I did not see the flood at its highest, nor did I hear the pathetic cries for help, nor did I see any of the heroic ventures to save life, nor any of the dead after their bodies were recovered. I reached home just as the water was leaving Front Street, ready almost to hear the worst news, for I had seen Columbus and a number of the river towns north of that city, all in full flood. My observations during the three weeks since, have been a growing revelation of the extent of this great calamity.
Five hundred and fifty homes were flooded, fifty of them either totally destroyed or rendered unin- habitable. This created a problem to cope with for which there was no ready-made organization at hand. The way it was speedily met will stand for a long time as a significant testimony to some of Fremont's leading citizens as adequate leaders in time of need. To be caught in such a situation, unwarned and unpre- pared, is a real challenge to any man. More than one man has been well tried in this last month. This principle has been very manifest among the rank and file of the people. The readiness and willingness with which a man went about rehabilitating himself was a good sign of what he was worth. In all sections of the city the thrifty man was the first to find his shovel, and the last to ask or look for any help. It has been significant all through that those least willing to help themselves, were most willing to ask help of others. But I want to hasten to say that what has struck me all through my contact with the people in the inundated district, has been their undaunted courage. I think it has been really heroic the way some have faced the situation and recovered their home life.
Birds eye View from Presbyterian Church Steeple, look- inii Toward I . C. Bridge — Floch
Birdseye View Looking Toward State Street Bridge —Finch
Birdseye View Looking Down Garrison Street. Gil- son's House Shown in the Distance
— Finch
This flood occurring at any other time of the year might have been much more serious both in its devastation and after-effects. Such a current of water in winter, carrying ice, would have worked colossal havoc and suffering beyond our conception. In a warmer season, aside from the destruction to crops and property, the question of sanitation would have been a very much more serious one. All things con- sidered, its occurrence was at the most favorable time of the year.
I believe there has been very much real suffering, and very many nerves wrecked during this trying experience. No one could ever contemplate its recurrence without the worst dread.
The news of our condition spread abroad, has brought in much assistance, for which the whole city is profoundly grateful. This catastrophe has served to reassure the timid and the doubtful of the sure progress the brotherhood spirit is making. No further evidence is needed of the superiority of a Chris- tian civilization.
The immediate needs of all have been ministered to in the best way possible, under flood conditions. That some have lacked many things, goes without saying. Indeed, the needs of little children and old people have more than once deepened my sympathy. Much might have been done, perhaps, which has ' not been done, but if so, they who have been in the forefront would plead the excuse of the dying Bishop who, when asked how he felt to be dying, replied: "Never having been this way before, I don't know." If another such flood should come in our day, which may God prevent, we might do differently, but certainly with no purer motive nor better purpose.
There remains just one thing to do, which requires consideration and care. The distribution of the funds entrusted to us, should be and will be dispensed as fairly and equitably as possible in the light of our knowledge of the condition of each individual family.
It behooves each one to be patient with the other in this work of rehabilitation. The flood sufferer will feel it for some time to come, but with diligence and courage he will recover, and in a measure forget.
THE GENERAL RELIEF COMMITTEE.
W. G. Wain.
EASTER Sunday morning, March 23, 1913, the windows of heaven were opened and the rains de- scended. And the rain was upon all the great commonwealth of Ohio for two days and two nights. The ground quickly became water-soaked; every little brook became a river; the rivers became raging, seething torrents, reaching out into the pleasant lands around them, and laying waste all before them.
On Tuesday, March 25, 1913, Fremont faced a calamity. The entire city was without gas or water. Down its main business street, and through a large portion of its residential section rushed a current of furious swiftness; dozens of homes were being swept away; hundreds of people were homeless and hun- dreds more marooned in their homes surrounded by the angry waters were facing possible death.
In view of such an emergency as this, with problems of such magnitude to meet, Mayor Stausmyer called to his assistance the Chamber of Commerce, and the following "Appeal for Aid" was sent to the people through the columns of its two daily newspapers:
Appeal for Aid. The flood conditions will make relief necessary to those who will suffer from it. Room and food and clothes will be needed. A relief committee must be organized at once to provide for proper relief. All interested and willing to help, should attend meeting at city hall tonight at 7:30. Send supplies and clothes to city hall.
C. Stausmyer, Mayor. W. G. Waitt, Pres't Chamber of Commerce. The result of this call was a meeting dramatic in its urgency, its intensity and in the manifest desire of those present to aid in whatsoever way they could, their brother man upon whom had fallen distress, suffering, disaster and possible death. As the citizens assembled for this meeting, on the streets of the downtown section could be heard the maddening rush of waters and frantic calls for help. The lives and property of hundreds were at stake; quick action was imperative. This thought dominated the meeting.
Arch Street from Kinne> Block
—Finch
Arch Street Looking South from Birchard Avenue
— Finch
Scene on
Bidtvell
Avenue
—Finch
The needs were stated quickly. Prompt, decisive motions were made, and as promptly seconded, and in a very few moments a committee of thirteen members was appointed, with full power to act. Others were later added. The original members were as follows:
W. G. Waitt, Mayor Stausmyer, E. J. Carter,
Probate Judge John B. Coonrod, Miss Brady, Mrs. Geo. Zimmerman,
Mrs. S. J. Ryan, N. C. Sherwood, Capt. E. C. Sturm,
W. E. Proctor, Lester Wilson, Al. Slessman. Robert Sherrard,
The committee immediately met in executive session in an adjoining room, and to each one was given some special branch of relief work.
A short time before the organization of the relief committee, acting upon the most timely suggestion of Mr. E. J. Carter, and authorized by the mayor, Mr. Waitt telephoned to Sandusky, Port Clinton and Toledo for life boats with experienced crews, asking them to spare no expense, to obtain special trains and to act as rapidly as possible, as many lives depended upon their prompt action.
All Fremont knows, and knowing, are grateful, how the executives of Port Clinton, Toledo and San- dusky, under great difficulties, obtained boats, men and special trains, and that boats from Sandusky reached us at midnight Tuesday night, and boats from Port Clinton and Toledo, two and one-half hours later.
Special mention should be made of the brave telephone operators at the Bell Exchange, who made it possible to get quick connection with these cities by sticking to their exchange, although surrounded by water, and for all that they could tell, in imminent peril of their lives.
The same promptness and efficiency which characterized the executives of Port Clinton, Toledo and Sandusky, characterized all who were called upon to help in the many problems of the relief work. All personal antipathies, all business misunderstandings, all petty jealousies were swallowed up in the one mighty concerted effort to succor suffering humanity. All conventionalities and castes of society were swept aside by this rush of waters; Catholic and Protestant, Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, labored side by side, enriched and blessed by the common call for a common cause. Heroes were born in Fremont that night; heroic deeds were done which will never be erased from the memories of Fremonters, and which will form the basis of many a tale when we tell our children and grandchildren all about the great flood of 1913. The night was gray and cold and cheerless, but after all, warmed and lighted by the love of man for his brother man. And what a strange night it was for conventional, staid Fremont; half the inhabitants of the city were on the streets; auto trucks were noisily speeding on their several missions; automobiles were dashing from place to place on errands of mercy; life boats manned by brave, skillful men, went up and down the streets of our city, saving many and many a life; ready hands were stretched out to offer shelter and food to those rescued as soon as they were landed. City Hall, headquarters of the general relief committee, was aglow with light, and under its roof many of the homeless were fed and sheltered, and a doctor was there in attendance all the night long.
As the water rose higher and higher on some of the side streets, men were frantically working to save what they could. Above all this could be heard the crash of buildings, the creaking of wreckage and the calls for help, and over all was the sense of desolation and calamity.
On such a night began the history of the relief committee. But this was only Chapter One, headed Rescue Work. The following days brought many, many problems, each one a chapter by itself: tempo- rary feeding, clothing and housing of the flood sufferers; receiving and distributing of supplies sent from all sources; the protection of unguarded property by volunteers, fraternal organizations and military troops; the raising of money; the keeping in touch with the Governor and Red Cross Commission; and the working out of permanent relief. All these problems were new and difficult; quick decisions were necessary. The committee was enlarged as the pressure of work increased, and this was done by adding those who were close at hand and were anxious to help in whatsoever way they could.
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Corner Front and Stale, Looking South
~~ Grob
A Truck Load of Relief at Station
—Finch
Flood Suf- ferers* Free Department Store at St. Joseph's Old Church
—Finch
The amount of work accomplished was amazing, and was made possible only by sleepless nights and by days crowded to the limit with the hardest of work. Some of the best executive talent in the city was dedicated to the cause of afflicted Fremont.
In such an article as this, it would be impossible to give individual appreciation to the long list of Fre- monters who devoted the best that was in them to help their city in its time of dire need. This spirit of helpfulness, together with the generous gifts which poured in from all sides, formed the silver lining to the dark cloud of misfortune hovering over beautiful Fremont.
All the great lessons of history teach us that adversity brings out the great basic virtues of nation,
municipality and individual. What lesson Fremont has learned from the great flood of 1913, remains
for future history to reveal.
— Written by Mrs. Wait! fiom facts (urnished by Mr. Waitt
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
J. H. Combs.
AS WE now calmly reflect upon the trying times, terrible scenes and thrilling events of the great flood in Fremont, we can more fully realize and appreciate the work of rescue and relief as performed by the relief committees, the various societies and organizations and by our citizens generally. It is not at this time, and has never been the desire of any committee or organization to seek or expect any credit or reward for heroic deeds that may have been done, or the good that may have been accom- plished.
An appalling calamity had befallen our home city, a thousand citizens were in grave danger and an untold loss of property must result. It was a time when first and uppermost in the thoughts and minds of the men and women of this community was the desire to do their duty, to save human life, to relieve suffering and care for the homeless. The quick response of our people, the opening of homes to offer food and shelter to refugees, the thrilling rescue of imperiled citizens and the tireless labor of those in charge can forever be remembered with pride and thankfulness by every citizen of this community. So sudden and imminent was the danger, so serious the results of delay that it became at once a time for organized effort, for prompt and decisive action. In this emergency it was only natural that the Chamber of Com- merce should be first appealed to by our citizens and the first to respond by promptly offering all possible aid to the mayor and city officials.
In no way would we detract from the loyal and heroic work done by many of the societies and organ- izations of the city, whose faithful assistance made possible the success of our effort. Appreciating the nature and motive of our organization, the Chamber of Commerce trustees promptly responded and were the first to make food and money available and made every effort thereafter to aid in every possible manner.
Similar organizations in many other cities responded in like manner by sending most generous and substantial donations of money and supplies. We can only say to those loyal, big-hearted men from the Chambers of Commerce of Toledo, Elyria, Pittsburg, Lorain, Alliance, Upper Sandusky and other towns and cities, that we are most grateful for their prompt assistance and fully appreciate their splendid spirit. Such prompt and generous action on their part can only add further proof of the efficiency of organized efforts and of the value of friendly relations with our neighbors— "In times of need, they were friends indeed;" and long after all trace of this calamity is removed and our people have recovered, there will live in our hearts grateful appreciation for the loyal assistance our friends rendered us through the efforts of their Chambers of Commerce.
This great flood with its less of lives and enormous destruction of property has left us its wholesome lessons, that will prove a benefit to this community for many years. In the event of any recurrence of such a disaster, the people will more willingly heed the timely warning of rising water, will more fully protect their lives and property, and the city will be much better prepared to meet such an emergency.
13
South from
L. S. & M. S.
Tracks Be- tween Tiffin and Park
Avenue
— Grub
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\ ie\* of Sl.llr .Street Bridge at lliiih Water Mark
— Finch
Ohio Com- pany A on Relief Truck — Finch
This great calamity has proven to all the people of this community the importance of organized effort and the value of a strong and forceful organization such as the Chamber of Commerce, that is always ready to give prompt aid, always willing to render immediate and efficient service, always available and dependable in times of need whenever the public welfare is threatened or the lives of citizens endangered, as perhaps nothing else could have done. This terrible disaster has brought our people closer together, it will foster in future years a closer community spirit, will encourage a broader feeling of generous brother- hood and will develop a spirit of good will and progress that will not only replace and repair our losses, but will make Fremont a larger, happier and better city in which to live and transact business.
MILITARY AND CIVIL PROTECTION.
C. Stausmyer, Mayor of Fremont, Ohio.
WHILE nobody would have believed, even had they been assured by experts on weather and consequent river conditions, that such a disastrous flood could have occurred, as early as Mon- day night, March 24th, I had taken such steps as in my opinion, would best serve for the protec- tion of life and property.
On Tuesday, through the local paper, I called a meeting of the citizens to assemble at 7:30 p. m., at which time a relief committee was organized, with Mr. W. G. Waitt, chairman; Mr. W. E. Proctor, treas- urer, and Judge J. B. Coonrod secretary. Later sub-committees to act with them as a general relief com- mittee were selected from day to day. The director of public safety and the chief of the fire department were alert and on the job every minute, taking observations of conditions along the entire river front, urging those in danger or apt to be in danger, to leave the threatened locality. In this connection I desire to especially mention the efforts of Officer Charles Heid of the police department. It is impossible to
over-estimate his services, and his s- rf\ ■ — ^ j -yr-p s recent illness was the direct result
of the long hours and persistent jl^ . _ _ ' "' "^^(r
tection of life and property. Jt/jlOsJ
By 8:00 a. m. of March 25th, I (^jj. nLi.„ {, 0
Bradner, who had been busy since I ^/bif^\iv^(^M\/iiTr^ffc of Company K to assemble at the lSJ i £ /_- ~~tif" &
of Company K. to assemble at the [ *w£- j£ UrtCjt . £,
twenty-five men at the disposal ' ^«'i%jL2_^-' ,r%>
services to me in any direction in which they might be needed
labors he put forth in the pro-
Captain Sturm and Lieutenant an early hour, notifying members armory, reported they had of the city, and tendered their
I was not in favor of incurring any great expense to the city, although anxious in every way to serve its interests; for this reason it was not until the middle of the afternoon, when conditions became so seri- ous that it was apparent that help must be had, and after I had been advised that the expense of military assistance would be borne by the state, that I accepted the service of Company K. I afterwards learned that the boys of that Company, not having had a direct call from the Governor for their services, had responded to our call without thought or expectation of recompense.
At 7:00 o'clock p. m. we telephoned the mayors of Port Clinton, Toledo and Sandusky to send us boats and life-saving crews. Each city responded promptly, and the men did excellent work under the direction of Judge Coonrod and Al Slessman, who were on the rescue committee. Captain Sturm, with thirty-five men of his Company, were used in unloading the boats and assisted in the rescue of families in the south end of the city. From that time on their assistance was used in the saving of property, guard- ing supplies, etc., until the water had sufficiently receded to permit the merchants on Front and other streets in the flooded districts to start the rehabilitation of their business places.
It was apparent as soon as this work was started that the curiosity seekers and sight-seers were going to be a menace to the efforts of the workmen and those having the work in charge. It was therefore deemed necessary to clear the streets of all but those actually engaged in the work, and that even they should be provided with passes. That the orders concerning same were frequently changed and some inconven- ience caused thereby, was inevitable owing to conditions beyond our control, but it is gratifying to know that those whcse interests were being safeguarded are appreciative of the police and soldiers in that direc-
15
Wheeling and Interurban Depot at High Water Mark
— Finch
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Front Street after the Flood, Show- ing Furniture and Refuse Piled in Street, and Guard on Duty
—Finch
Croghan Street Look- mii East from Arch
— Grob
tion. Members of Company K, having been on constant duty for three nights and four days, it was found necessary on Friday to apply for more troops. The Uniform Rank Knights of the Maccabees under Cap- tain Sayles, had on Thursday volunteered their services, which were accepted, and too much cannot be said for their services as watchmen in the flooded residence districts.
At 10 o'clock Friday night. Battery B, First Field Artillery, with Captain Light and Lieutenant Oat- ley in command, arrived from Toledo. On Saturday night, Troop A, First Squadron Cavalry, in com- mand of Captain Hitchcock, arrived from Cleveland; with Troop A came Major William A. Schofield, who assumed command of all forces in the field. Lieutenant Bradner, of Company K, served as detach- ment adjutant under Major Schofield. Attached to Battery B were Captains Gerardot and Lieutenant McBain of the medical staff, who took charge of the sanitary operations in connection with the board of health. A field hospital in charge of the ambulance section attached to Battery B, was established in the central high school building, and maintained until Battery B was relieved on Tuesday, April 1st. Battery B and Troop A were relieved on Tuesday, and Company K on the following Thursday, at which time Major Schofield turned over the command to Captain Sturm, who remained on duty four days longer. Captain Sturm, with the assiatcne of Carl Wolf, organized a shot-gun squad, who did excellent work in the flooded district for several nights after the soldiers were relieved from duty. At no time was the city under strict martial law, but the military and civil authorities worked in harmony throughout it all.
FEEDING THE HUNGRY.
Irvin T. Fangboner.
TUESDAY night of "flood" week, while the Executive Committee was arranging for a special train which was to bring to us those heroic life savers, our supply committee was phoning for food and clothing. Among the towns asked for relief, Bellevue, for instance, promised to send us 600 loaves of bread and other supplies, to reach us at 8:44 o'clock Wednesday morning on the Lake Shore. It will be remembered that this train could not cross the river bridge, and the express company would not accept the shipment at Bellevue. The citizens there hurriedly secured several motor trucks, and after a hard battle with bad roads and wash-outs, reached the east side late Wednesday afternoon. These supplies were baldy needed and greatly relieved a serious situation.
Wednesday morning a prominent citizen of Lindsey, who was in Fremont, agreed to return at once and ask for supplies if a way were provided for him to reach Lindsey; a Fremont physician took him home in an auto; that afternoon we received word that a large food supply was ready, but on account of the flood there, it would be necessary for us to provide transportation. We sent an auto truck and the food was ferried across the creek. This was the first food received by the west_sjde, and there would have been many hungry people if this splendid donation had not reached us that day, as the markets could no longer supply cooked meats, and canned goods from the few groceries outside the flood zone; there was no way for the merchants to order more at this time, as there were no trains, no wires, and no 'phones.
Just before the last long distance telephone went out of commission, we had reached a number of surrounding towns through the kindness of long distance operators who gave our calls the preference when they were informed of the importance of our request for food and clothing. We told a Toledo long distance operator that our people would starve unless we could get our calls through, and she thereupon proceeded to ignore every call she had until our calls were answered, and but for her kindness our supply of food and clothing would not arrived until about Friday, and much suffering would have resulted.
The New York Central Lines were exceedingly kind; no downtown wires were working, and for sev- eral days only one railway wire was in service. Part of the time this wire was out, and a railway long distance 'phone was available for use in reaching one or two stations. To get through our request for supplies, we would get one town by wire, but the wire was out beyond the town; the agent there would get the next town by 'phone, and his 'phone probably would be out beyond his station, but the railway telegraph wire would work; he would use that. So, after hours of work our C. Q. D. was flashed from town to town, and not a town disappointed us. Solid carloads of food and clothing were sent as soon as railway service was established.
17
Women Serv- inrf Lunches at City Hall Finch
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Rear of Homes on Maple Street —Finch
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Fire Engine Pumping Wa- fer into Stand Pipe After Engine Stop- ped at Water Works
— Finch
Many of the towns sent us supplies each day. Frequently food from nearby towns was hot when it arrived. A trainman informed us that they at one time waited for a wagon of food which was late, owing to the desire on the part of the donors to have the food warm and exceptionally tempting when it reached Fremont. Shipments of food were not the final donations of any town, fraternal order, church or farmer; with the donation came the question, "When can we send more?"
A central supply station was opened Wednesday in the Elks' Block; all food, as it reached Fremont, was taken to this station; accurate accounts were kept of each article as it came in or was given out, and thus we knew at any time just how much of each article we had in stock. Our committee found it difficult to keep our food supplies evenly balanced; at times, we were short of coffee, again it might be salt; most frequently we were without cooked meats, but later, as our ledger accounts indicated the need, we specified the articles principally desired. Sweet milk was often scarce, but newspaper bulletins brought quick results from our farmer friends.
Free lunch rooms were established at once at the city hall building, Elks' reception rooms, Presbyterian Church, Croghansville school house and Grace Lutheran parish house; these food stations were open day and night; hot coffee and sandwiches were the articles usually asked for, as the applicant was in too much of a hurry to wait, but at once returned to the edge of the flood zone, asking always the same question, "Has the water gone down?"
The afflicted ones all realized the importance of gaining access to their flooded properties at the ear- liest possible moment, to begin the work of salvage. It is sad to state that in many cases there was no salvage.
The ladies, as is always the case during an emergency, were tireless workers at the relief stations. They were on duty practically all the time during the first two days; after that, the work was divided into "shifts;" this required the workers to report at all hours; some were on duty all night, a new shift going to work at 5:30 a. m. A well-known chef was on duty almost continuously for four days and nights at the city hall, although his own place of business was in the water; he forgot his own loss, and his joyful manner brought smiles to the faces of many of the homeless.
As the different lunch rooms required supplies, a requisition was made on the central station. No supplies were given out without an order properly signed. These orders were all kept on file to be checked by the Executive Committee.
Early Wednesday the east side was organized by two of our business men. Supplies were taken care of at the Camelback bridge, if they arrived by train, and East State Street hill, if by wagon, and were at once conveyed to the Croghansville school. This station was nicely handled for several days, inde- pendently of the Supply Committee. Communication was had only by messenger over the railway trestle; these messengers had a difficult time of it, and risked their lives in crossing the river, as the bridge was icy and a fall meant death.
All clothing was at first taken to the city hall; then to the Presbyterian Church; later to the St. Joseph school building. The ladies in charge were busy every minute, sorting the clothing, arranging the kinds and sizes, and supplying the needs of the unfortunate.
The railway agent, operators, switch crews and others connected with the New York Central Lines, told us to take or use anything they had. We did. The yard engine was in service almost constantly, at one time making a trip with only a box of yeast, thus keeping an east side bakery in operation. Until the water works pump station started, the yard engine was forced to go to Elmore for water. We asked the railway officials to send to Fremont five cars of coal; the cars were in the yards here three hours later.
Wednesday morning we were short of kerosene and gasoline: after a long search we located a carload in the railway yards. The car will check short at destination. Wednesday afternoon the east side was without fuel; two cars of soft coal were "discovered" in the railroad yards and were promptly abducted by a yard engine via the L. E. & W. trestle route. The empty cars were later recovered.
19
Port Clinton Life-Sav inii Crew, Which Did Service
at Fremont
^%r»rr^;KeRO'£S---OT?^noNT TttoD ^vit^rt\cns
Captain INick Tadson
Captain Isaac Floro
Arthur Short James Wilkens Lester Wright Jess Perry Charles Silverwood, Jr. Ralph Jerm> Louis HcMunn Fred D. Radloff Leray Silverwood, Jr. Leon Greenslade Fred Nelson Cecil Miller
Jack Springer Louts Witt Frank Silverwood Kenneth Silverwood Lester Witt
Joseph Wright George Hathaway Louis Courchaine Christ INelson Allie lint r« II
Rollin Austin Fd Randolph Blanchard Silverwood Clark Masten
Andrew Anderson Charles Masten St**\e Morgan Graham Silverwood
Looking Southwest from Ohio Avenue Hill
— Grob
We noted particularly the cheerfulness of the flood sufferers. One man who had just completed a house and found it off its foundation and minus a porch, told us that "the three feet of space between the foundation wall and the house would ventilate the cellar nicely," and "he didn't care much for the architec- tural design of the porch and had expected to tear it down anyway."
The supplies of food and clothing arrived by freight, express and the electric lines; usually, we could not ascertain how the shipments would arrive, and auto trucks were on duty almost day and night.
Saturday night Troop A of Cleveland arrived at 9 o'clock. Our trucks had gone for the night; one of the volunteering truckmen was located: he brought his truck again, and at 10:15 o'clock the troop's equipment was hauled, the troop in quarters, and a squad had departed for duty on the east side.
While many of our citizens have suffered in various ways, I firmly believe that factional feelings, if any existed, have been obliterated and the people of Fremont are more closely united today than ever before. With a shoulder-to-shoulder effort, we can soon create a greater-than-ever Fremont.
LEGISLATIVE SOLICITATION COMMITTEE
Thomas A. Dean
ON Saturday following the flood, when the receding waters began to make more apparent the enormity of the situation, the Relief Committee appointed J. H. Combs, A. W. Overmyer, Carl F. Steinle, and George Lamme, besides the writer, a committee to seek legislative aid. This committee was duly authorized by C. Stausmyer, as mayor of Fremont, and W. G. Waitt as chairman of the Relief Committee, to act for Fremont and Sandusky County, and took the first train for Columbus, that could get into the union depot in that city.
We found reports of desolation and ruin from every direction, and a general state of rush and uproar at the capitol, but through it all, a perfect system of relief in progress.
Fremonts condition was made known to Governor Cox early Monday morning, and we were immediately turned over to Quartermaster Miller of the National Guard, who at once started three carloads of provisions, clothing and bedding to the local chairman of the Relief Committee. It was learned at this time that the city would receive financial aid later, as their needs required, through the Red Cross commission, and the committee returned home, well satisfied.
The report of this committee to those in charge of the local work, aside from the material assistance secured, aided them in systematizing the work here and securing the necessary dat* for the guidance of the Red Cross commission in making the distribution of the state flood fund.
This committee, while in Columbus, also joined with representatives of other cities and counties, in appealing to the legislature for some special legislation that would enable the crippled counties and municpal- ities to rebuild and repair at once public property that had been damaged and destroyed.
An act of this kind was subsequently passed and is now in operation. It applies only to the 1913 dis- aster and therefore cannot be misused at any future time.
Different members of the legislative committee at different times during the three weeks following the flood, visited Columbus and kept in touch with the situation to the end that Governor Cox, the State Relief Commission, and the National Red Cross director, visited Fremont Saturday, April 26th, to make an official survey. This party which included Governor James M. Cox, General John C. Speaks, Red Cross Director E. P. Bicknell of Washington, D. C, his assistant, James F. Jackson of Cleveland, E. T. Devine of New York, Jacob Schmidlapp of Cincinnati, George W. Lattimer of Columbus, S. O. Richardson of Toledo, H.
21
Lifesaters — Tree Which Capsized Captain Floro's Boat Finch
dross in Tree Shows Where Captain Floro's Body Was Found
— Finch
Rescuer John Smith at Work on East State Street Show- ing Dunnin^'s House and Wreckage in Front of Ad- ler's and Klink's
—Finch
S. Johnson, Cleveland, and J. H. Patterson, Columbus, traveled by special train, reaching Fremont at I 1:00 A. M. These dignitaries were taken through the devastated districts in automibles by various members of the Relief Committees, who had been designated for this purpose. A special luncheon was served at the Fremont Hotel, after which the party repaired to the city hall where a meeting of all the committees and other citizens interested had been called to go over the entire flood situation. This meeting was addressed by Chairman W. G. Waitt, Judge John B. Coonrod, H. S. Johnson, E. P. Bicknell and Governor Cox. Ex- planations were made by both the local and visiting committees, and an understanding was reached for the completion of the relief work. Following this meeting the local investigating committee prepared and mailed to Columbus an estimate of the additional amount that would be needed to rehabilitate the ruined homes of Fremont on the Red Cross plan; this report showed that $6322.00 would be required, and this amount was immediately sent by the Red Cross people.
Under ordinary circumstances Fremont would not have appealed for state aid, and this fact was made plain to both the Red Cross and state authorities by the legislative committee; we explained that heretofore this city had always taken care of her own troubles, but with not a plate glass front left in a business house on Front Street, and every merchant's stock a jumbled pile of wreckage, it made helpless many of those who have always heretofore helped the flood sufferers.
Fremont and her people have reasons to be proud of their quick recovery for which many enconiums were pronunced by Governor Cox and the representatives of the Red Cross, and which has been a wonder to all the surrounding country. "Fremont, with a vim and vigor unsurpassed by any other city in the state, rehabilitated herself," said Director Bicknell of the Red Cross.
While May 1 st, 1913, still left on Front Street and in the inundated residential districts, glaring evidences of the terrible disaster, yet at that time it was beyond belief that an angry current of murky, swirling waters six to twelve feet in depth, rushed through the central portion of the city at the rate of thirty miles per hour on March 25th, 26th, and 27th.
Prompted by the terrible losses in Ohio, the national government have sent their expert engineers to investigate the course and channel of the Sandusky River. Various plans have been discussed by the Fre- mont Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations, and it is hoped that some scheme will be devised that will prevent the recurrence of another such a tragedy.
MISS MARIE ADLER.
WE did not begin to tear up on Tuesday morning until the water began to rise so rapidly, and as papa was in the market getting his papers and accounts out of the safe, the water broke upon the front doors with such a force as to make it almost impossible to get back into the house It was very amusing at first to see the different debris floating down, as most anything from a log to a chicken perched on a coop could be seen, but as the water continued to rise, and one could hear the plate-glass windows crashing in, it was not quite so amusing.
The worst sensation of all was, I think, on Tuesday night after the water had risen continually all day until it was within two feet of the second floor, when suddenly, with a loud crash, Dunning's house twisted, turned on its foundation, and floated across the street, bearing down upon us like a huge battle- ship. The roof, catching in the trolley wire, was the only thing that kept it from crashing into us, but the suspense of not knowing what instant the trolley might break, and that we would be carried along with the debris down stream is beyond description.
To add to the horror of it all, throughout the night on all sides could be heard the pitiful screams of people who were in danger, and in need of immediate assistance. It is beyond the power of anyone to picture the dreadful horror of that night. Only an eye witness can fully realize it.
23
Terrific Current
Norlh in. in
Dry Bridge
— Rogers
Looking northeast from Justice and State Streets
— Grob
[North from Dry Bridge. After Flood. Showing Condition of Pavement
-Finch
SHELTERING THE HOMELESS.
Ellen A. Brady.
THIS was a problem that confronted the committee in the very beginning. Early on Tuesday, the 25th, people were forced to vacate their houses and though many found temporary shelter with friends, many others, especially those who were practically strangers in our city, took refuge in the city hall for the night, and by 5 o'clock Wednesday morning this number was greatly augmented by the people brought in by the rescuing parties.
The church buildings were brought into requisition for immediate relief. By 8 o'clock several of these were ready for occupancy, heated, and with cots and bedding provided for the exhausted women and the children who had spent the night in the wet and cold. As fast as the people could be provided with dry clothing and hot coffee, they were put into automobiles and taken to the churches. This plan was con- tinued throughout the day, and Wednesday night over 200 were housed in the Elks' Hall and in the churches and parish houses most suitable for this purpose.
This does not represent nearly the entire number of homeless people that night, for our citizens responded loyally to the call for shelter, and as quickly as possible they were taken from the churches to private homes, the women with small children being given the preference.
These temporary quarters were very comfortable, meals being served at each place, a physician within call, if necessary, and at no time was there any congestion.
On the morning of the third day, a new difficulty arose. Reaction from the severe nervous strain many had undergone, set in, and Dr. Stamm's hospital was soon filled to overflowing. It was then that we turned to the public school buildings, and, fitting up the domestic science rooms with cots, bedding, etc., under the care of a physician, soon had a comfortable temporary shelter for the sick.
Pathetic indeed were many of the scenes witnessed at these temporary sheltering places, as parents hunted for their children, children for their parents, or friends for friends, who had become separated from each other during the work of rescue. Many mourned their friends as drowned, when after going from place to place they found no trace of them, and great was their joy and relief upon finding them safe.
As the water receded the problem became more difficult. Many houses were gone entirely, and many others not fit for occupancy. All over the city were hundreds of people who must have permanent homes. In a city already noted for its lack of houses and rooms for rent, this was no easy task, and one which is not yet wholly accomplished.
A committee was appointed to make a canvass of the city for every available house and rooms suitable for light housekeeping; and the citizens were urged to make every effort possible to put such rooms and houses at their disposal, in a condition so as to be available for this purpose, and to so report at head- quarters. Slowly but surely the work has progressed until nearly all have found comfortable permanent quarters. But the entire duty of this committee has not yet been discharged, for I say nearly all, which still leaves a goodly number who must be provided for as quickly as possible, and in order that they may be housed before the winter sets in, we ask the co-operation of the citizens of Fremont: first, that they who have houses in the flooded district may clean, dry and repair them as rapidly as possible; and second, that they who have rooms for light housekeeping at a moderate rent, may so report to this committee.
CHURCH AND CHARITY WORK.
Mrs. S. J. Ryan.
ON TUESDAY evening, March 25th, while the water was making a new record every hour, arrange- ments were made to satisfy the hunger of those rescued or driven from their homes. The mayor's office was turned into a dining hall, and the first relief sent in was from the Elks' Hall, where a veritable feast was prepared for members to be initiated that evening. This was brought to the city hall and with hot coffee was served to the suffering people all night by ladies who were appointed on the food
25
Cast Side of Front Street from Croa- tian Street South
— Finch
On Bidwell Avenue
—Finch
A Little Wreckage on Ho vt land Street
— Finch
committee. Lunch was served every day for over a week, to many hundreds of people. Soup meats of all kinds, sandwiches, potato salad, eggs, beans and hot coffee was the menu from 5:30 in the morning until 12 at night; the ladies were kept busy, Mr. Harry Burkett looking after the coffee.
After the water had gone down, large cans of coffee and sandwiches by the bushel were taken out to men cleaning the streets, and also served to the business men and clerks at work in their stores.
The residents outside of the flooded districts worked together in the greatest harmony; there was no question of creed, nationality, riches or poverty; the churches, parish houses, club rooms and homes were thrown open, and the homeless ones made welcome. Meals were also served at the parish houses, churches and Elks' Hall. Relief stations were provided where bedding, clothing and shoes could be had, also groceries of every kind were given out.
Although liberal donations were immediately sent in from the neighboring towns, the ladies of the different aid societies spent many hours sewing, besides taking care of special cases of sickness and need. At the churches and schools where the clothing was given out, a system was established, that is, a chair- man and secretary were appointed, the names taken of the persons receiving aid, in order that not one would be neglected. Ladies were also appointed on an investigating committee, to canvass the entire flooded district who found many people who were ashamed to ask for relief and who were suffering; their wants were looked after, and I hardly think anyone was forgotten.
For the children new shoes were purchased; waists and dresses were made. Of course the lodges and churches also looked after their members, and in homes where they received a small donation of money, tears flowed freely. It meant a great deal to them.
Carloads of clothing were sent in by the Red Cross Society, and although three weeks have passed by, the committees are still distributing clothing, furniture and other necessary articles. Although the people have been well provided for, the members of the different aid societies know that their work is only commencing, and it will be weeks before the children will be properly cared for. As in the past, the ladies will in a quiet way look after the most needy ones; they will need encouragement as well as relief.
One would think it was only the women who did relief work, for of course they are very easily touched by the sight of suffering, and their first thought is to give aid in some form; but the gentlemen of the relief committee, and others laid aside all business interests, and social duties, and devoted themselves entirely to the welfare of the unfortunates.
But in works of charity, no one looks for credit or thanks; it is simply doing your duty towards your fellowman.
THE PURCHASING AND DISTRIBUTION OF SUPPLIES. Committee
AS THE high water subsided and people began to return to their homes, the destruction and ruin that presented itself was appalling. Household goods of all kinds piled up in confusion, where not entirely swept away; much of it broken and almost buried in the mud deposited everywhere, was at once realized as a total loss, and in order to re-establish people in homes, the need of new household goods became imperative. This committee was then appointed, and directed to purchase and procure such supplies as were needed to that end.
There being no gas service, 300 gasoline stoves with which were sent a full carload of mattresses, bed comforters, blankets, sheets, pillows and cases, boys' suits, all new, were procured through The Marshall Field Co., of Chicago, who generously offering aid (and one of the most prompt) were informed of our needs by wire. Toledo sent oil heaters, besides a carload of bedsteads, springs, mattresses, blankets and other supplies. Kitchen and cooking utensils, dishes, tubs, brooms, etc., were bought and given out.
At first these supplies were given out liberally and generously by the different committees in charge, without much discrimination so long as it was one who had suffered flood losses, the immediate purpose
27
In Front of \ il I it* s and hli nek's on East Stale Street
—Finch
Wreckage on East State Street
—Finch
Sidewalk at Kline Block —Finch
and need being the rendering of aid and the relieving of distress; later as the work became more organ- ized, it was found advisable to exercise some discrimination and an investigation committee was appointed. Blanks were printed and used and a more systematic plan pursued for gaining information as to the needs, losses and conditions of those to whom aid was to be extended. Supplies given out only upon approved requisitions, became the order. Next came the school children.
Through the aid of Prof. Collins and the teachers in the schools, public and parochial, a complete systematic canvass was made, determining their needs in order that they might return to school. Shoes and clothing were supplied as far as needed, and as far as the committee was able to so do.
The following supplies were given out, and while the figures are not exact, they are approximately correct and fairly conservative: Over 460 sets of kitchen utensils, tubs, brooms, etc., 300 gasoline stoves and many oil heaters, about 1 ,000 bed comforters and as many blankets, sheets and pillow cases, and a number of cases of pillows, several cases of underwear, 300 or more boys' suits, besides other clothing, over 200 pairs of children's new shoes, were purchased and about 100 dozen pairs of stockings were pro- vided. Some furniture was bought and contracted for to be furnished at a price.
What further duty, if any, may be required of this committee, the future progress of the work of relief will determine.
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.
E. J. Carter.
THE flood area, which included what is known as "Flower Valley," South Front Street and Tiffin Street, or the South Section, both resident districts; all the business portion in Center Section; the North Section, a factory and residence district; and most of the Third Ward, or Eastern portion of the city, a business, manufacturing and residence section, covered practically one-half of our city.
This flood being from four to six feet higher than any previous one, the people were not prepared to meet it.
The water was in about 517 houses to a depth of from several inches to six feet, and in some few that were situated on low spots, the water reached the second stories. This affected 1 ,864 persons. 506 of which were under 16 years of age, who occupied these homes.
The greatest damage to residences occurred near the Dry Bridge on South Front Street and Bidwell Avenue.
The vast volume of water was held back and retarded in its flow by the Lake Shore Railway em- bankment, and the only openings were the regular bridge over the river proper and what is known as the "Dry Bridge," over South Front Street, which is only about 40 feet wide. Through this narrow space the water poured nearly to the height of the bridge, a mighty, terrible, rushing torrent, a veritable Niagara, that nothing in its path could withstand. At this point the brick pavement, curbing and dirt was cut out and carried several blocks down the street and deposited to a depth of two or three feet. Underneath the bridge a large hole was cut out to a depth of ten or twelve feet. In this section there were eleven houses that were totally destroyed, and about eight moved off the foundations and otherwise partially destroyed.
In one of these houses next the embankment, Mr. Homan was drowned.
From this point the water continued its destructive course down Front Street through the main busi- ness portion of the city, entering all the stores to a depth of five to seven feet. The destruction to mer- chandise stocks was very large in consequence, being estimated at $242,375.00, and to their buildings at $19,400.00.
On the east side another tremendous current wrought vase damage and destruction. In this section six houses were totally destroyed, and twenty-two were moved off their foundations and otherwise par- tially destroyed. •
29
Fremont Hotel unci
Wheeling Freight
II.
—Finch
\ iew on Park Avenue Hill
— Grob
|
H^jA, ,ii ^^^± |
Jl ^ 7 M |
|
■ |
|
|
» ^ |
On Bidwell Avenue
—Finch
There were many houses entered by the water that were only one story, and consequently nothing in them was saved. Out of the homes entered by the water 282 were occupied by the owners thereof, and 235 by renters.
It is estimated that the total residence loss amounted to $181,604.00, and the contents of same to $162,176.00.
All the manufacturing plants of the city, whether in the flooded district or not, were obliged to shut down for at least one week, and some for two weeks, on account of having no gas or city water. Some fifteen or more factories were in the flooded district, several of which were the largest employers of labor in the city. The property loss to these concerns is estimated at $247,500.00. The loss of business and wages to employees means another very large item.
The municipal loss of the city will approximate $30,000.00, and of the county for bridges and roads, $95,500.00.
The damage to the Lake Shore Electric power house is estimated at $25,000.00, and to the Ballville dam, $85,000.00, making a sum total of $1,088,555.00. If to this is added the losses of wages and of farm property in our county, it would run the amount up from a million and a quarter to a million and a half dollars.
May the like never occur again!
FINANCIAL RELIEF.
Financial Committee.
AT A meeting of the General Relief Committee and other citizens at the city hall building on Fri- day, March 26, 1913, the imperative present a,nd future need of money to carry on the necessary relief work was discussed. W. E. Proctor, Lester Wilson and E. J. Carter were chosen as the Finance Committee to raise all money possible for that purpose.
This committee organized by electing Mr. Proctor as its treasurer, and forthwith diligently entered upon the work of collecting money.
The response of our own people to their solicitations was, with few exceptions, prompt and generous, and the munificent gifts from neighboring towns and cities increased the total sum collected to $20,645.57.
Much of this was used in providing for the immediate wants of those in distress, and the remainder will be expended under the directions of the General Relief Committee, with the definite object of re-es- tablishing the homes of the stricken, and furnishing them the means of again becoming producers.
COMPARED WITH OUR OTHER FLOODS.
E. Stanley Thomas.
PRIMARILY the cause of our excessive flood on March 25th to 27th was an unprecedented fall of rain, totaling in the watershed of the Sandusky River basin 7.2 inches during the four days of March 23rd to 27th, inclusive. In the entire county of Sandusky, and the northwest half of Seneca County, the fall was above 7 inches, and the southeast half of Seneca County and the north halves of Wyandot and Crawford Counties, comprising the head waters of Sandusky River, the precipitation exceeded 8 inches.
£J The secondary cause seems to be the results of civilization and cultivation. Under the first, consider that Sandusky Bay, formerly open to the Lake, is now very effectively dammed by the filling in of the trestle of the L. S. & M. S. R. R., virtually the only outlet is the passage through the draw, amounting in fact to open flood gates. Just north of State Street we find the L. E. & W. Ry. bridge, and an em- bankment on the west and across the island, with abutments and piers; State Street bridge also encroaches very materially on the normal width of the river. Next we find the W. & L. E. bridge and its embank- ments at each end, so that what water is not held back by the L. S. & M. S. bridge and approaching fills,
31
Looking South Under
Dry Bridge
— Finch
Fast State Street School — Grob
Looking North Under Dr> Bridge
—Finch
is most effectively diverted into Bidwell Avenue. Follow a line beginning at the foot of fair grounds hill, coming south irregularly through the L. E. & W. embankment to the Failing property, to Arch Street, through the L. S. & M. S. embankment to South Park Avenue, and thence west along South Street, and note the vast extent of river bottom that was provided by nature to accommodate surplus water; this is only on the west side. A similar observation of the east side, now closely built up with residences and factory sites, reveals another large area. The larger portion of both of these sections has been raised from 10 to 15 feet above the original river bed, thereby constricting the channel very materially.
Under the head of cultivation, the clearing of large areas of timber adds its quota to flood dangers although statistics show that it has not as much of an effect as is usually thought. Tiling of fields and ditching of sections give all our water fall a direct route to the river bed, thereby causing a rapid and destructive rise. Under these conditions we have a large amount of water to be taken care of in a short space of time, with smaller capacity to do it.
The recent flood exceeded by 6.8 feet any of which we have authentic record. South of the L. S. & M. S. it was in excess of above figures. The river gauge was installed in the fall of 1906. The maximum official readings are as follows:
February 24, 1909 11.1 feet
January 22, 1910 12.3 feet
March 1 and 2, 191 1 14.0 feet
March 16, 1912 12.6 feet
February 26, 1910 14.7 feet
February 27, 1912 14.6 feet
March 26 and 27, 1913 21.5 feet
With the exception of the recent flood and that of March, 1910, the stage of water was largely due to ice gorges at the L. E. & W. bridge. Though we have no authentic records, business men on Front Street all agree that the water was from three to four feet deeper in their stores than in 1883, which up to the date of this disaster was the highest flood known to the Sandusky.
The first flood of record is commonly referred to as Noah's, and that the account of it is authentic in general, is proved by the records brought to light in late years of prehistoric nations in the East, Brah- mans, Hindoos of India, Babylonians, Chaldeans, Greeks and Persians, whose inscriptions on tablets agree in all main particulars with the biblical accounts; in America we find the same confirmation from the ancient Aztec, Taltec, and Nicaraguans, the Indian tribes of the Great Lakes, Canada, Mississippi Val- ley, Sioux and Apaches of the Plains, all have legends of the flood, handed down from ages past.
PRESS STORIES AND SKETCHES.
E. H. Hilt.
TRAGEDY and comedy, in all their varying phases, were abundant on every side. Novelists could have found rich material for thrilling situations and seekers after oddities ample store to satisfy the most curious. In this limited space it will not be possible to more than touch upon some of the most striking.
When Fremont was cut off from its gas supply by the breaking of the pipe line, the cooking and heating problem became a serious one to the 80 per cent of Fremonters who depended upon gas alone. Some who were fortunate to be using coal furnaces, cooked in the furnaces, and lighted their homes by candle as in the early days. Others hunted up coal-oil stoves, and even lamps to carry on their domestic duties. In the flooded section, some heated coffee on candles. Others, marooned for a few days, were forced to go to bed for warmth and subsist on cold food, and in some cases on nuts alone.
While the flood was at its height, and daring and thrilling rescues of humanity were being made on all sides, amusing spectacles were also witnessed, such as the rescue of live stock, chickens, pigs, cows and horses. The novel sight was witnessed, of Rev. Mr. Rose, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church,
33
Water Just ( oriiinu I P at Croatian and Front Streets
— Finch
Looking Northeast from Oak Street Hill — Gr
Hirfh Water on Front Street
— Finch
saving the lives of six fowls, while Patrolman Heid and helpers were observed taking horses and cattle out of barns in various ways. An automobile balking in the middle of a street covered with water, added another spice of humor.
An odd sight greeted one at the Frank Danford home on North Front Street. The house was filled with about six feet of water. In the center of the room the kitchen table, containing the remains of the hastily deserted breakfast, was floating around, covered with dishes. In the center of the table reposed a half-drowned rat greedily cleaning up the remains of the meal. On the wall a clock was still keeping time.
One family, upon returning home, found while their furniture had been submerged, a piece of lemon pie had braved the angry waters and was still safe and sound. Canned fruit had floated into parlors, and one can of coffee was found in perfect condition.
Another family which had been trying long to dispose of a certain article of furniture, found this article high and dry, while more valuable of their possessions had disappeared.
In one house, a big can of lard floated away, while a large jar of sauer kraut near, remained undis- turbed. In another house, one of a new pair of slippers had floated away. Watches were found two and three blocks from the houses from which they had been swept, while spectacles were found in the yards and streets.
Below the town, in the lowlands, a motley collection of household articles and parts of buildings are strewn, telling fully their tale of the awful devastation wreaked at Fremont.
Victor Hugo never penned more awesome pictures than those furnished in the rescues of the marooned and the escape of others. I shall, in telling of them, leave the horrors to the imagination.
J. W. Herman, real estate man, Dr. C. N. Mowry, dentist, M. G. Thraves, attorney, and F. M. Emerson saved their lives by their fleetness. They were at the Ballville dam when the retaining wall broke. Led by M. G. Thraves, they just managed to get our of the way before the water rushed by. I\o men ever had narrower escapes. Frenchie De Mars crawled on top of his boat, which had overturned in the racing current near the Clauss Shear Works, and in that manner floated to the Sandusky Avenue corner, where he managed to save himself.
The body of Isaac Floro, one of the Port Clinton fishermen who rescued fully one thousand from the flood-stricken district, and who was drowned when his boat was demolished after striking a tree at the corner of Howland Street and Ohio Avenue, showed, when found, the awful struggle he had made to save himself. The body was tightly wedged in a tree; the boots and portions of his clothing had been re- moved, showing how desperately he had endeavored to free himself.
Trapped in a garret in her home on Allen Street, Mrs. Carter, colored, and her four children were almost driven to desperation. With a bottle of chloroform near, the mother threatened to take the lives of her children before she would allow them to drown. "I asked the good Lord for a sign as to whether or not their lives would be saved," she said, "and when I saw the water remain stationary, I knew my prayers had been answered."
George Howell was picked out of a tree on East State Street, after clinging there for more than one hour. Willis Sevitts was found hanging to a pile of refuse. Frank Homan was rescued by Roy Provonsha, of a Toledo crew, from a tree near the Lake Shore bridge on Front Street. When his house was demol- ished he was swept there by the raging current, on a pile of debris. The tree was swaying in the current and slowly gave way when Homan was taken off.
It would require columns to describe the scenes following the receding of the water. The muddy water left a trail of slimy mud varying from one to six inches deep.
Former well-paved streets and pretty lawns were strewn with debris, logs and trees, resembling a woodman's camp, especially so when men with crosscut saws began the work of clearing up. Traversing the flooded districts, one could see wom:n dressed in trousers, overalls and hip boots doing the work usually performed by men.
35
Condition of Brick Puved .Streets After Flood — South Front Street -Finch
The Dam as it was After the Flood
—Finch
Wreckage of the Faniiboner Sheds
— Finch
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The first Sunday following the flood, was not a day of rest. Armies of men and women were trying to restore order where havoc reigned. Front Street, through the business section, resembled a veritable ghetto, where merchants sell their wares in the open. Fremont's merchants had taken their water-soaked stocks to the sidewalks, some to dry, others to haul away, and others to sell them as best they could.
To the marooned before they were rescued, minutes seemed like hours. In the Front Street business blocks, F. B. Lesher, J. S. Henry, A. H. Pfisterer, Will Lytle and others, driven to the upper floor, kept warm by burning pieces of boards in an abandoned stove, and subsisted on food procured from the Lesher bakery. In the Plagman & Sherrard Block on the east side, another group of marooned people underwent similar experiences.
From the house-top of his home at 225 Wabash Avenue, Earl Gilson and George Hammer, half frozen, frantically waved and called for assistance. Each summed up his experience with the exclamation, "My, that was a dreadful night. I never thought we would live through it. The smacks of the battering debris against the house still resound in my ears. It seemed to us that every telephone pole, barn, and every- thing that came down the river, struck our house." The rumor was around that Earl, in desperation, had shot himself. After being rescued, and the people all began shaking his hand heartily, he exclaimed, "I feel just like a millionaire; people seem so anxious to greet me."
Trying to rescue a man and his child, John Walters, 0. C. Norton, Walter Childs, Tommy Tuckerman and Harry N. Atwood upset their boat on Front Street, and had as close calls to death as one may have and live.
A touching sight was that of a Roumanian whose wife was left helpless in the Klinck Block on East State Street. Standing on the bank with tears streaming down his face, he implored rescuers to save her. In his hands he held a hundred dollars which he offered anyone who would bring her to him.
The patroling of the streets by soldiers gave the city a martial aspect it had never seen before. At the relief station the scenes were equally strange. Refugees streamed to the mayor's office where the good women of the city were serving coffee and eatables. Those who had lost articles of wearing apparel were outfitted nearby frcm a hastily assembled store of clothing, and in the police department room cots were arranged for sleeping quarters. Similar scenes could be observed at some of the churches.
Something Fremonters never saw before was the issue of a combination newspaper by the Messenger, News and Journal, under the direction of E. H. Hilt, general maneger of the Messenger. The two daily newspaper presses had been submerged and the Journal press was the only one that could be used; con- sequently, the three issued a paper together.
BREAKING OF THE DAM.
Cornelia A. Cast.
THE construction of the concrete dam and retaining wall at Ballville, built for the purpose of creat- ing electrical power to be used for manufacturing and other purposes, has been a magnet during the past year, drawing many people in its direction, but interest rose to its height on Tuesday, March 25th, when the Sandusky River broke all past flood records, and in its wild raging, brought untold grief and destruction to our beautiful and prosperous city.
After watching the rapid rise of water in our business section and lowlands, our party of three turned our steps towards Ballville, and after a long, muddy tramp, found ourselves on the river road south of the cemetery. The retaining wall was directly opposite us, with the water at a depth of five feet or more pouring over the dam and the top of the wall. Beyond this could be seen through the rising mist from the dam, the river plunging and dashing along on its wild course. We could think of naught but the Niagara Rapids as we gazed upon the great transformation that nature had so suddenly wrought in our peaceful river.
Desiring a closer view of the lake formed by the dam and the retaining wall, we were about to cross the street, when, alas, we were held spell-bound, for the waters had broken forth frcm their imprisonment
37
Water Just Comtad I p on Front Street
— Finch
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Sections of the Flume One-half Mile Below the Dam
— Finch
Lookind Down Tiffin Street from Drj Bridge
— Finch
and the work wrought by man was crumbling before it. At the northeast end of the wall, there was a sudden caving in, caused by the earth and stone being washed away from its foundation to such an extent that it allowed the wall to break, and with a rush and roar its pent-up waters swept all in their path. In a moment's time the great derrick was toppling over, the buildings were torn from their foundations and swept away, the great steel flume 14 feet in diameter, was lifted up and carried a distance of half a mile or more. The Moore homestead, now owned by Frank Smith, was rocking to and fro from the force of the surging waters, and we feared it was doomed to follow the fate of two of its neighboring houses, which had already been carried down the river.
Panic had by this time taken possession of us, and gave outward vent in our hurried scramble through wire fences and up the hillside to the highest point of the cemetery, where a large tombstone or two were the goals we longed to reach. This was the first time such a stone ever appealed to us, but now it seemed a haven of refuge and the one most coveted spot on earth. All was confusion; men were running and warning everybody to flee from danger and to reach Fremont as soon as possible. Signal shots were heard in every direction, and in the distance could be plainly heard the fire bell warning the people at Fremont of the coming danger.
As we looked back, we saw the horse and carriage of Dr. Thomas, which was tied in front of the Smith home, carried away by the on-rushing waters, and the doctor, who so bravely rushed to the rescue of his horse, was seen clinging to the iron hitching post in water shoulder deep. He was obliged to remain in this position for nearly an hour and a half, until the water receded sufficiently for him to reach the house in safety.
We found our homeward trip was made in much shorter time than we had ever accomplished it before. The great volume of water from the retaining wall had flowed through the lowlands towards Buckland Avenue, and finally reached Minnow Creek, causing an overflow of a great portion of the lowlands between the dam and the Lake Shore Railway, the waters rising from three to five feet in different localities.
There is now but a mass of rocks surrounding the old Moore homestead; its attractive lawn and gar- den plots have been washed away, leaving only its stone foundation.
The retaining wall is a crumbling mass; ruin and destruction marking the course of the angry waters.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
Laura Reiff
WHEN we built the cottage bungalow down by the river, we named it "Die Wacht Am Sandusky." Since the flood. Judge Coonrod, with much temerity, quite fittingly recalls it "Die Wacht Im Sandusky."
Having built above all previous high water marks, we did not anticipate the water coming into the house, but when it rose so fast and I happened to look down at the floor and saw it creeping through, we made a rush for anything we could lay our hands on and tried to get something upstairs; but in our excite- ment we grabbed for the most ridiculous things; my mother saved the electric carpet sweeper. (She believes in labor-saving devices for the housewife.) I remember of carrying up the coffee pot, but forgot the coffee; however, we had a can of coffee upstairs, which we placed in a muslin sack and pounded it with a hammer. I do not mean we placed the can in the sack, just a portion of the coffee at each time.
After we all waded in the water until it was up to our knees, trying to save something, we were com- pelled to go upstairs. All we had to live on was the contents of the basket I had brought from town, viz., a steak, pint of cream and loaf of bread.
All this time my mother was making things lively by screaming and crying, and bemoaning our fate, and I wasn't far out of the way scolding because we hadn't moved out.
We sent father down stairs twice to try and get something we forgot; half an hour after the water came through the floor, he was obliged to put on his rubber hip boots, and within an hour's time the water came up to his neck. We ceased sending him down for things.
39
Looking
Southwest
from L. E.
Bridge.
Showing
Dr. Relff's
Home
-Gr<
Looking South from L. E. *» W. Bridge
— Finch
Just North of L. E.& \V. Tracks
— Finch
South Side of State Street at Hi tih Water Mark — A. Burkett
Half-way upstairs we had placed a sack weighing one hundred pounds; we moved that sack three times during the night, each time a step or two higher. We didn*t like to move it up all at once.
There was a little stove in my room upstairs, which burned wood or coal (when you had it handy), but we didn't care to burn either that night. The back store room does not need cleaning this spring; I have burned all the large hat boxes, baskets, magazines, etc., within reach, and there were a plenty; but in spite of my efforts, we were cold.
In the meantime there was a continuous bombardment down stairs; every time something would topple over, we would peak down stairs and see if by chance, we could behold something floating past the hall door; the piano fell on its back (I afterwards learned), the Victrola on its side, while the most fragile piece in the house, the china closet, never moved, and there were only a few dishes broken. It contained mostly choice pieces, good to look at, but not for service.
With what anxiety we passed through the night can only be imagined when you realize we, three stout people, had to make our exit through a 22-inch window, or drown without a murmur. The night was so dark we could hardly see anything; large objects floated past, down the river, but we could not distinguish what they were; we could hear people hallooing, but we were helpless; we felt we hadn't a friend in the world, and we would be left to drown. That's the way you feel when you are placed in that position. May you always live on the hill!
At the first glimmer of dawn we began watching for boats; it seemed every boatman slept late that morning, but finally our rescue was at hand; at first it was thought we could not get out; my father was the first to venture through that little window, while he got the first foot out of the window I was back of him trying to get the other foot out, and it didn't want to go; but it finally went.
My mother is afraid of the high seas, but I must say she realized at this time it was either get out of the window or drown, and with scarcely an objection raised, she reached the boat through the assistance of our rescuers, Messrs. Prior and Loschert, whose kindness I will never forget. We could not all go at once, so I remained behind, sitting on the roof with my yellow suit case, which was hurriedly filled with nothing we needed (we afterwards found). During the intermission, with five hundred people on the railroad bank, like all prominent people, several snap shots were taken of a black object (large in size) awaiting the return of the trolley boat. I finally landed in the boat, and just as I was leaving the house, the back steps passed me en route for Cochran's or Whiteman's Grove, I know not which. They have not come back.
After the waters receded and I took my first look at the beautiful books I once had, and all my posses- sions soaked away in one night, I decided one might as well laugh as cry.
THIRTY HOURS EXPERIENCE IN A FLOOD.
Zoe A. Long.
FOR the last quarter of a century my venerable uncle, Dr. P. Beaugrand, and I have lived a quiet, peaceful life in a pleasant home on East State Street, some twenty rods from the bank of the dear eld Sandusky River, which now and then, any time between Christmas and Easter, is liable, by reason of the almost level condition of the land between us and the bay, to overflow its banks and spread itself over the surrounding territory.
One of these occasions recently came to us at daylight on Tuesday morning, March 25th. I dis- covered that our back yard was under water, and immediately began making preparations to move up- stairs, and prepare breakfast at the same time. Soon our gas fires went out and we knew what to expect. Some men came in a small boat and took the doctor out, and sent him to a place of safety with a niece. Miss Martha Dickinson, on Liberty Street. The men told us, Mrs. 0. C. Burt and myself, that they would come for us in an hour. We haven't seen them since. We got busy carrying upstairs what we could with the help of some kind friends who came to our assistance. We took some food left on the breakfast table, and a can of coal oil— less than a gallon. I had a small coal-oil heater upstairs, and we did not suffer from cold as long as our "fuel" lasted, which was until nearly daylight Wednesday.
41
North .Side of Slate Street. I onkinii West from Front
—Finch
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On Sandusky Avenue, back of HIine Block— No- tice Auto in wreckage
On Sandusky Avenue, back of Sherrard & Womersley's —Finch
Some time Tuesday afternoon we felt a quaking, and on looking out found that the back part of the house had gone, kitchen, pantry, bath room, bed room and a large room on the second floor used as a store room, and with it went my books, case and all, which had been left on the second floor the last time I moved upstairs. Looking out of a window we saw across the street parts of a house we knew to be Mrs. Dunning's; our first thoughts were, what will we do if this part of our house should go? There was a strong current between us and the Clauss Shear Works, and we saw from our window every imaginable thing go by with great rapidity, all the time fearing we might go next.
Mrs. Barnum and her sister, Mrs. Hosmer, were in the house next to us, and all during Tuesday night we would call to each other and thus each of us knew the others were alive.
On Wednesday we dressed ready to accept our first invitation to go for a boat ride; we were without fire, and when we would feel pretty cold would go to bed for a while to get warm, wondering what would come next.
Some time Tuesday we saw several persons on the roof of the Kinney Block on East State Street; we shouted and waved a red flag, not thinking of anarchy. They, either hearing us or seeing our signal, answered by waving United States flags. Our country's emblem never looked so good to us as it did then; we tied our flag to the outside of the window to let them know we were still prisoners, but they were as helpless as we.
Some time after noon Wednesday we saw across the street a boat which we knew to be a lake boat; we shouted, and they heard us and signaled to us and came to our rescue. We clambered from a second story window into the boat; our trip was a perilous one with the branches of trees, corners of houses, and masses of wires we encountered. We were within sight of the boat in which were Captain Floro and his crew, when it capsized. We were landed somewhere near the corner of Ohio Avenue and Middle Street, where were waiting a large crowd of people.
The men who rescued us, which was the crew from Toledo, immediately went to the rescue of those in the capsized boat, but brave Captain Floro was beyond any help they could give him.
We were assisted from the boat by our genial friends, Rob Stull and Professor Wales, and were met by Mrs. R. M. Kelly and daughter, Anna Marie, and Mrs. Frank Sheldon, who each took one of us to her home, where, away from all excitement for several days, we tried to forget the sad experience of thirty hours in a flood.
M
EXPERIENCES IN THE FLOOD.
R. W. Sherrard.
Y EXPERIENCE during the flood dates from the Sunday previous. I took an 8:40 car and went out to greet my mother and take dinner with her, little thinking that in so short a time we should pass through such hours of anguish and suffering. Before reaching my mother's home, it com- menced to rain, and before night the creek running through the farm was overflowing its banks. The ditches along the road could not carry the water, and in many places the water was running over the road. By chance I got a ride back to Fremont with Mr. Ed Schwartz; when we reached the northwest corner of Spiegel Grove we found the water running over the street, covering a space four or five rods wide, to the depth of a foot. On Front Street we met Mr. Ed Kridler, who suggested we might get high water; he said we might get water in our cellars, no water yet in the river at the bridge to speak of, it being retained by the dam.
On Monday, March 24th, at noon, I observed the water had risen so much that at Ohio Avenue it lacked at least four feet of being even with the sidewalk crossing. At about 7 p. m. it lacked about eighteen inches of being even with the walk at Mrs. Dunning's house. At 10 p. m., when I went home, it lacked only about twelve inches. This was now about twenty-four hours since the river commenced to rise, and under ordinary rains, it should have reached its highest point.
About 3.45 a. m. Tuesday, the 25th, Mrs. Sherrard called me and said the water was coming up fast. I got up and dressed and hunted a plumber to cap our sewer in the cellar. This done, I went to the store to relieve Mr. Womersley. I told him to go home and get a little sleep, and I would go home to break- fast as usual at 7:00.
43
Sugar Beet Factory, Looking [North from
L. E. & W.
Bridge
— Finch
[Northeast from Dry Bridge After Hater Had Receded — Mrs. Hick's Home at the Right
— Grob
A Typical "drying out" .Scene, South Front Street — Finch
Water rose so rapidly and he was kept so busy getting our chickens in the barn from the hen house, and helping the women get things in shape in our houses, that he did not return, and consequently I did not get any breakfast.
Mr. F. Hepner, Mr. H. Gavitt and myself were busy getting out orders until about 10 o'clock: after this, Mr. Gavitt went home to look after his home on East State Street, and was obliged to go around by the railroad bridge to get there, as the current was too strong at this time to cross at Sandusky Ave- nue in safety. Mr. Hepner and myself got busy trying to get goods up as high as counters, supposing they would be safe.
About this time Mr. A. 0. Flumerfelt came to the front of the store and finding he could not get over to the Kline Block where he lived, suggested he would come in and help us if he could do us any good; so he did good service, but to no avail, for we soon found we had not put goods high enough. Our heav- ier goods were in our wareroom, which is two and a half feet higher than the store room. We soon found that this was not high enough. At about I p. m. we were obliged to give up work in the store room, and, getting papers of value, and accounts, we retreated to the wareroom, but not without getting a five or six pound roll of butter and a box of bread containing 25 or 30 loaves.
Having had no breakfast and only two crackers with thin sliced ham for dinner, bread and butter was relished for supper. We found we must soon retreat to higher ground to be safe. We went up the wareroom stairs, taking with us the bread and butter; here we unlocked the door leading into living rooms over the store, occupied by Lester Billow and wife on one side and Earl Brockway and wife on the other. Now we were seven, with bread and butter enough to last a few days. Our boys were thoughtful enough to take with them on leaving the store, a bundle of gents' hose, so that we could change our wet ones, which we did gladly.
It was quite comfortable in our quarters with our new neighbors and friends, with gas and heat enough to dry our clothes, until about 9 p. m., when the gas went out. About 5 p. m. my friend, Mr. Brock- way, noting that I was much exhausted, advised me to lie on the sofa and rest, thought I might sleep away and wake up in the morning and find the water gone. I may have slept an hour; hardly had I awoke, when bang went one of the plate glass windows below. Useless to say, the sleep was all gone for the night. This same banging and breaking kept up all night until everything breakable on our store front and in the store, was gone.
At 10 p. m. it seemed that the water had reached its highest point. Very fortunately, perhaps, the electric lights burned all night. We could plainly see Henry Kline's steps on his block, and marked the height of water there, but when Mr. Billow arose at 4 a. m. Wednesday, we found the water had risen higher, and continued until about five or six o'clock. These were hours of anxiety and suspense. Gladly did we hail the morning light. Little did we think of the cold we were suffering, but were wondering how the folks were at home. I knew Mr. Womersley had an oil stove, but did not think they had any oil. I thought they must be suffering with cold and perhaps hunger.
Our boys got out on the East Side Implement Company's platform and fished out a gallon oil can full of oil from the water, and found an old Lake Shore Electric headlight lamp, and with this and two lanterns we kept from freezing.
During the night just past, we could hear cries for help on all sides; especially could we hear Mr. Gilson and Mrs. Long; when daylight came we could see Mrs. Long's flag of distress. During Wednesday forenoon our boys took a red scarf and tied it to a fishing pole, went to the roof through the skylight, and signaled parties from the west side on Heim and Barnum's store, and pointed to Mrs. Long. They recog- nized the signal and soon got her and her friend out. It was at this time that we could see the life saving crew unloading their boats and putting them into the water.
On Wednesday morning we could see the houses swept into the street. Mrs. Dunning's soon went to pieces and disappeared from view. I could see the big oil tank against the bridge; at first I thought it a piece of the steel tube from Ballville.
I saw the back part of Dr. Beaugrand's house float away and disappear across State Street. On Wednesday morning I saw a boat coming from the east overturned, with a man on it holding fast to the boat with one hand and in the other hand one oar. The current fortunately brought him to our corner and against a telephone pole; from this he worked his way along our hitching rail and was rescued by parties
45
Where Once Stood a House on Allen Sleet
—Finch
Kraut Factory in Distance
— Finch
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A Back Yard on Howland Street
— Finch
from the Kline Block, I believe. I think his name was De Mars. He certainly showed by his presence of mind that he was used to water. One other thing we saw on Tuesday afternoon was a battle on the water by two fellows whose names we withhold. They were in separate boats and used oars in place of their fists.
I must not forget to mention a feat of throwing by Mr. Hepner. Mr. John Lyons and Mr. Grant Mayer were marooned in the Herbrand, with nothing to eat. Mr. Hepner took apples and canned goods from our wareroom, went to our roof again through the skylight, and then threw them across to the Her- brand roof, where they were caught or picked up by Mayer. This in part appeased their hunger until Thursday morning, when the relief boat came and gave them plenty.
Mr. Flumerfelt could stand on our porch and talk to his wife across the street, and say, "Thou art so near and yet so far." We could see our goods floating out of the store, yet we were powerless to save them.
On Wednesday, the 26th, I saw a quantity of wreckage floating down Howland Street, with an object on crosswise; it looked very much like a man. Mr. Brockway said he saw him move his hand.
On Thursday afternoon Mr. Keegan and Mr. Oris Tuckerman came and took Mr. Flumerfelt and myself out. He could only get to us from the rear of Rock Block, as the current on our corner was still too great. I was landed at the foot of Pine Street. It was then that I learned that my folks were out. I found them at the Croghansville school house. They were stopping with Mr. Fred Truman. Mr. and Mrs. Womersley were stopping with Mr. Paul Strausbaugh and Mr. Mielke.
Not until Friday when I got home and to the store on Saturday, did I realize how great our loss was.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF JAMES ULCH.
MR. JAMES ULCH, in relating some of the sensations he experienced, fairly makes a person's hair stand on end, but he says that is nothing compared to the real thrills. Mr. Llch had easy access to his shop most all Tuesday morning and waded back and forth between the house and shop several times until the water became too deep and he was unable to leave the shop.
Not knowing where the water would stop, he at once began to prepare for the worst. First getting things up a foot or so off the floor, and as the water gradually rose, he also raised everything movable, meats, furniture and cash register, and everything movable he continued to keep above the water until it became too deep to work in with hip boots. Buildings commenced to rush by in the swift current on Sandusky Avenue, his own barns and sheds in the rear creaked and groaning left their foundations and collapsed in the mad waters. His garage was struck by a floating building, left the foundation, collapsed into a hopeless mass of wreckage and lodged in front of the Millious house on the corner. All this began "to get on his nerves," and of a sudden he commenced to look around for his own safety.
The only stairway was outside and that had been swept away; he easily reached the second story by climbing up the elevator shaft, though at any ordinary time this would be quite a difficult task. Having chopped a hole in the ceiling of the second floor, he was able to get on the roof in short order, should it become necessary. He watched carefully the course of the buildings which rushed past, and noticing that they all passed close to a certain tree, he planned to get on his roof if his building should join the mad rush, and as it passed this tree, he would spring from the roof into the tree and bind himself fast with a rope which he carried constantly with him.
All Tuesday night was terrible with the rush of the mad waters and the ceaseless cries of trapped humanity, and expecting every minute to be washed away. Daylight dawned, however, only to find that the water was still rising slowly until eight o'clock, when it seemed to be at a standstill. Every nerve on a tension, and watching in every direction, the unexpected happened. Something suddenly crashed into the rear of the building with a grinding jar that shook the whole structure. Opening the back door, he discovered that a large timber had lodged in the alley between his building and the one to the south; finding that the timber was firmly lodged, he stepped out upon it and crossed to the other building, and, though the water was rushing and swirling all around, the risk of falling into the seething elements never occurred to him. Climbing upon the building, he made his way to the Kline Block. Never before had he thought that solid footing could feel SO good. —Written by Frank B. Finch (rom Information Furnished by Mr. Ulch
47
KM 22 W3
ACTIVE RESCUE WORK
Arranged by Frank B. Finch, from facts furnished by Messrs. Coonrod, Slessman and Cookson
HOW many people lost their lives? Why, only three, but you must remember that had it not been for the tireless, strenuous and gallant work of the rescue committee working day and night, our death roll would undoubtedly have been numbered by the score. The early work of rescuing was greatly handicapped on account of not having suitably built boats for this rough work. Calls had been sent to the neighboring lake and river towns for life boats and crews and as soon as these arrived, they were divided between the east and west sides of the river, Judge Coonrod supervising the west, and A. E. Slessman the east side work. These men for forty-eight hours worked tirelessly day and night and by their daring and exposure to the cold and wet, were constantly risking their lives for the sake of those who were hopelessly trapped by the water.
In the still-water sections the rescue work was very simple and comparatively safe, but in other parts, Front, Tiffin, Bidwell, East State, Sandusky, Howland Street and Ohio Avenue, the currents were terrific and little or no progress could have been made without the aid of ropes. For instance, in reaching the Gilson house, ropes could not be used and the currents were so terrible that it required over two hours to reach the house.
In such a current on Ohio Avenue, terrific in its swiftness, Captain Floro's boat was thrown against a tree and capsized directly in front of Dr. Philo's residence. Three men were in the boat, one had the luck to climb into a tree, the other clung to the boat and drifted to a place of safety, but the Captain was tossed in the whirlpool and dashed against a tree on Howland Street, from which his body was taken several hours later. His boots were both off, and his coat partly off, showing what a struggle against impossible odds he must have made.
The general rescue work was systematized to some extent, but on account of the changeable currents caused by wreckage diverting the water first one way and then the other, conditions had to be solved as they were encountered. At one time there was a rope all the way from Amey's corner to the dry bridge, and people were taken from almost every building the entire length of the street, with comparative safety. Ropes were also used with the same good result on Bidwell Avenue and Tiffin Street,
The first out-of-town boat launched was one of the Wehrele life boats manned by Norton, Tuckerman, Walters, Childs and Aviator Atwood; the boat proved too large to be handled in such a current, and was quickly snatched from their control. Norton was jerked into the water in attempting to tie to a telephone pole, but luckily saved himself by forcing his way through the Bobs restaurant on Front Street; the rest of the crew, by careful and quick action, steered the boat into the Gabel livery stable and thus averted a thrilling trip down the river.
The crews from Sandusky, Toledo and Port Clinton were mostly experienced boatmen and to them we are very grateful for the excellent work which they did, and especially are we thankful for the inestimable work of the Port Clinton men, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to them for the loss of their venerable Captain Floro who gave his life in our service.
Auto trucks were a great help in transferring thelifeboats from one section of the flooded district to another, as urgent calls for help would come in. Boats were sent up the river as far as Wolf Creek, and down as far as Hetrick's in answer to calls for help Men were ever ready to lend a hand wherever they were needed to save life, whether that life be of a high station or low, it mattered not.
Over six hundred persons were rescued from their homes and taken to the city hall, churches and into the homes of the more fortunate who had thrown open their houses for the comfort of the flood sufferers. Fern Gordon on the east side, did wonderful work in this way, virtually turning her house into a hospital for the afflicted, half-frozen people who were brought to her, thawing them out with hot water bottles, soap stones and blankets; so crowded was her house that children slept five and six in a row, crosswise on the beds, and in some rooms as many as twenty-five women sat around on the floor, bundled up in everything and anything to keep warm.
Vast quantities of food were supplied to the people marooned in the business blocks and in their homes. Some of the life savers tell very interesting stories of the amazing speed records in the consumption of food established by the hungry ones. Many people were taken from roofs, fences and trees. The engineer at the water works was perched on top of his boiler when the life boat reached him. A Mrs. Taylor, help- less with paralysis, was lowered upon a stretcher into a boat and many people were taken from second story windows.
To give credit or even attempt to mention the names of all those who assisted in this perilous rescue work, or to the caring for the sufferers, would require volumes the size of this.
Charles Heid was a persistent rescue worker, and many other names stand out prominently for the good rescue work accomplished; such as Cookson, Howell, Berry, Tuckerman, Pero, DeMars, Anderson, Loschert and hundreds of others impossible to mention in a book of this size.
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