From Chairman Strecker
In an interview with B. F. Strecker, chairman of the General Relief Committee this afternoon, he stated that at a meeting of the committee Tuesday afternoon, he was requested to appeal to the citizens of Marietta for financial aid. There is a good supply of all kinds of provisions, but clothing and bedding are still needed. So far there have been very few responses to appeals for money. A large amount is needed to rehabilitate the homeless. Nothing can be done without money, and the committee hopes that the people will respond without solicitation. All subscriptions should be sent to C. F. Speary, treasurer.
Financial Condition of Marietta
One of the bankers of this city spoke encouragingly today concerning the financial condition of the city. He said that conditions in 1884 were much more distressing than now. There were very few really solvent merchants at that time and the banks were weak. The aggregate deposits were not over $400,000. Now the deposits are over $4,000,000 and in strong banks. Soon after the flood of 1884 we had a revival in all lines of business, and the population increased from 5,000 in 1885 to 15,000 in 1900. He was very optimistic concerning the financial and business future of Marietta.
The Associated Press Report
For the first time in a week, the Register-Leader this morning received a brief statement of the news of the world. It is as follows:
J. Pierpont Morgan Dead. J. P. Morgan, the great American financier, died in Rome, Italy, on Monday. A funeral service was held in Rome today, before the body was placed on board a vessel for the U. S.
Weather Report. Showery tonight and Thursday. Unsettled weather Thursday.
Flood at Portsmouth. Portsmouth's flood was the worst on record. The rivers are now falling there slowly.
One Hundred Drowned at Dayton. This morning 90 bodies had been removed from the wreckage. It is believed that fully one hundred have been drowned.
Allens Executed. Claude and Sidna Allen, the Virginia outlaws who shot up the court house at Hillsville, were executed last Friday.
Cure not accepted. The alleged cure for tuberculosis brought to this country by Dr. Frederick Franz Friedmann, the German physician, has not been accepted by the government. Dr. Friedmann is still treating patients in N.Y.
Chillicothe in Need. This city is greatly in need of relief. Hundreds of people are without food or clothing. Provisions are being sent from Columbus.
Cairo's Big Flood. Cairo, according to telephone messages, is in the throes of a terrible flood, expected to reach its crest today. Great property damage has been done, but no loss of life has been reported.
Life Savers Called Out. The government today issued an order calling out the members of three life-saving stations along Lake Michigan. They will report at Cairo, Ill., to assist in saving lives along the rivers.
Legislature Adjourns. The legislature adjourned yesterday until April 14, and members form a committee which met today to perfect plans for aiding flooded districts. Members were named to visit various cities, including Marietta, to investigate property loss. Members will report to legislature, and appropriations will be made accordingly.
Dead in Columbus. Thus far seventy-two bodies have been removed from the ruins of the flood in that city. Columbus is connected with Cleveland and Zanesville by rail, but it is impossible to tell when railroad service with other cities will be resumed. Property loss in Columbus will run high.
Local Briefs
For some time Tuesday afternoon the Bellevue Hotel was threatened with destruction by fire. The blaze started in a store room on the third floor, and spread rapidly. Fifteen men worked for nearly half an hour before the fire was extinguished. But for their efforts a wide section of the inundated section might have been wiped out.
The remains of W. S. Pattin arrived in the city this afternoon from Spencer.
A small blaze in the Y.M.C.A. this afternoon was extinguished without loss.
Albert Dale, 3 months old son of J. D. Becker,of Dell, died Tuesday.
Mrs. Lindy J. Rumbold, 60, wife of Benjamin Rumbold, died in Warren township Tuesday. Six children survive.
The Marietta Telephone Company deserved a great deal of praise for the service rendered the citizens of Marietta during the flood. This company maintained nearly 700 local phones during the flood, and now have long distance connections, with Columbus by way of Warner and Cambridge, and with Parkersburg by way of Williamstown. They are rapidly installing new local phones and will be in fair condition by this evening.
The headquarters of the Employment Bureau, mentioned on the next page, have been moved from the College Gymnasium to the Y.M.C.A. building.
The P. M. & I. U. Ry. Co., of this city, have all of their men working along their tracks, cleaning away the mud, and expect to have the city cars in operation by this evening. Their plant and barn in Parkersburg was not in the water and the only trouble will be in repairing the trolly wire.
M. C. McMurray arrived home yesterday from Lancaster and New Lexington by way of Palos. He reports much destruction along the Hocking Valley.
Captain Dyar announced, this morning, that nine recruits had joined Co. B in the last few days, and that he would enlist any good men who applied at the college headquarters. There has been no trouble reported on this side of the river, but several shots were fired in West Marietta Tuesday night. The officer in charge of the men stationed on the West Side reports that a man named Farley attempted rape upon a little girl Monday night. The man has not been captured. They have insisted in building fires along the water's edge in Mile Run, and a man named Ferrell struck Private Smith a heavy blow across the hand after the latter had stamped out a fire. The inhabitants of Mile Run have given the soldiers considerable trouble.
A ferry will be in operation across the Muskingum river at Putnam street either this afternoon or Thursday morning. The regular ferry price will be charged, and the boat will operate until a pontoon bridge can be secured.
Mayor Leeper announced this morning that special police had been secured, and that they will patrol the streets night and day. The street force commenced work today clearing the streets. The towboat Guyandotte, which commenced operation between this city and Parkersburg today, will leave Marietta at 9:30 and 3:30 P.M. instead of at 9 and at 3.
The funeral of the late H. S. Battersby will be held from his home, 1107 Greene street, tomorrow, Thursday, morning at 10 o'clock.
There will be a called meeting of the Marietta City Council in City Solicitor Summers' office in the St. Clair building, Thursday evening at 7:30. All councilmen are requested to be present in order that some action can be taken in regard to the condition of the city.
Mrs. Eliza Campbell died suddenly at the Woman's Home, Tuesday evening at seven o'clock, after an illness of twenty minutes with heart trouble. Mrs. Campbell was born in Washington county March 26, 1844, and was therefore in her seventieth year. She has a niece residing at Mile Run. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Captain Hitchcock and Major Wadhams, of the regular army, with headquarters at Fort Wayne, Ind., arrived in the city by way of Whipple Tuesday night. They were accompanied by two regular men and are looking after the flood situation in this section. They came to this city from Zanesville, where they had been assisting in the relief work. These men announced that several carloads of provisions and clothing from the war department and a car load from the Navy are on the way to Marietta. these provisions will be in charge of Captain Mitchell of the War Department.
Colonel Knox announced, this morning, that he could not secure the remainder of the Athens company, but he was endeavoring to get a company from Columbus for this city. The men here are kept on guard constantly during the night, and the strain is beginning to tell upon them.
The General Relief Committee at a meeting Tuesday afternoon, added H. E. Smith to the membership. He, together with I. L. Dunn and Charles Kerr were appointed to take charge of an employment bureau which was opened at the Y.M.C.A. this morning. Anyone desiring work or anyone desiring men to work can apply at this office.
Fire Department No. 1 was called to the Marietta Laundry building on Second street this morning, where steam was issuing from the building. Investigation showed that a live wire had crossed a pipe, but no fire resulted.
More relief in the form of bedding and clothing is on its way over the Pennsylvania lines from Cambridge. It was due to arrive this morning.
Organized Relief
The Committee on Housing and Commissary has established quarters in the College Gymnasium. All supplies of food, clothing and bedding are being received there, and will be distributed from that point. Generous contributions have already been received from Woodsfield, Cambridge, Caldwell and other points north of Marietta. The Gas company, through its representative, Mr. Kelly, has contributed five thousand loaves of bread, which will be received in due time. The committee feels that the responses from our citizens who are out of the flooded district, together with those from friends on the outside will enable us to care for our immediate necessities. our citizens are therefore requested to direct to the College Gymnasium all persons who are making house-to-house solicitations for help. Until further notice, the arrangements to provide meals at the High School to those who are out of their homes, will be continued. This will, of course, be made possible only by the voluntary contributions of food cooked ready to serve. The ladies of the city who have thus far done so nobly in caring for this part of the relief are requested to keep up their good work.
The Committee on Registration, composed of fourteen men, representing the voting precincts of the city, is at work preparing a complete record of those who have sustained losses in the flood. When this shall have been completed and turned over to the general committee, it is certain that a speedy and equitable distribution of relief will be made possible. The members of this committee are as follows:
First Ward:
A - George D. Berry
B - Peter Grubb
C - W. H. H. Jett
D - W. L. Hyde
Second Ward:
A - E. A. Merydith
B - D. B. Torpy
C - B. F. Strecker
D - J. V. McMillen
Third Ward:
A - C. F. Speary
B - A. F. Cole
C - E. E. Dickinson
Fourth Ward:
A - F. P. Wheeler
B - Douglas Pfaf
Mile Run - William Henning
To each of these men should be referred the cases of need within the limits of his precinct. If this committee is given proper support, it is certain that all cases of immediate need will be cared for without duplication or other imposition. To this end it is urged that church organizations and fraternal societies, which are furnishing aid to their members, will report their work to the committee.
An Employment Bureau under the direction of the general committee has been established in the College Gymnasium. Employers and those seeking employment are requested to register there as soon as possible. The readers of this issue will confer a great favor upon all concerned if they will give this notice wide-spread publicity.
Up River News
C. V. Voitle, representing the Wheeling News, arrived in the city this morning on the steamer Liberty, that brought telephone linemen to this place. He stated that Marietta was in the worst condition of any city along the Ohio river, and that outside of the loss of life, Marietta suffered a greater loss than Zanesville. The flood at Wheeling was not as high as the 1884 flood. The total loss of wages alone in Wheeling, figured from pay-rolls, is estimated at $1,500,000. Powhatan, a town of 500 people, this side of Wheeling, suffered greatly. The town was covered, and most of the inhabitants took refuge in the third floor of an old flour mill, where they lived on flour and water for two days. Benwood was also covered, and the suffering was intense.
Moundsville had two inches more water than in 1884. New Martinsville had 18 inches more, and the entire town was flooded. The suffering was great, but it has been relieved by the citizens of Sisterville, headed by the Elks. Friendly was also flooded and several houses washed away. New Matamoras suffered, but no houses were carried away, although the water reached the second floor of a number of the homes. St. Marys was flooded and some of the houses were washed from their foundations. Reports from Dam No. 20, which was under construction at Belleville, are that the entire work was washed away, and that the contractors lost everything. One barn containing twenty mules was swept away. The work on the dam will have to be commenced again.
Mr. Voitle stated that reports from Columbus and Dayton were to the effect that the death list was not so great as estimated the first of the week. The death loos of Columbus is now given at 100, and that of Dayton at 87.
On the West Side
The conditions on the west side are most distressing. The wreckage in the streets and the mud which covers everything make a situation which seems most discouraging. Withal, however, the people are brave and are being cared for in an excellent manner by Safety Director Daker, and the assistants working under his direction. When the West side was first cut off by the rising water a volunteer committee was organized by the citizens, and relief furnished the sufferers. Headquarters was opened in the Chapel; school houses and every home above the flood was thrown open to the refugees. no one went either hungry or without shelter. The citizens of the west end of the county responded nobly with supplies, some coming from as far as Bartlett and Vincent.
This morning Paymaster Wurtenbaker, of the Navy Department, arrived in charge of three cars of clothing, shoes, and bedding. One car is consigned to Colonel Knox for the use of the militia. The other two have been turned over to the Commissary Committee for the purpose of general local relief. At press the distribution of supplies is being made from the Anchorage barn, Mr. Roberts having turned it over to the committee for that purpose. The tents which were sent by the Pipe Line Company have been fumigated, and are being erected on Harmar heights. These will furnish shelter for many families that have been rendered homeless. A commissary service will be established in connection with this camp, which will materially improve the situation.
To a member of the committee Paymaster Wurtenbaker expressed himself as surprised at the meagerness of government relief which has been given Marietta. He had been dispatched yesterday with a train for Louisville, but at the last moment had been diverted to Marietta, with instructions to furnish needed relief here and then proceed down the river to aid flood sufferers in the lower river cities. he had been in Dayton and Columbus during the past two days, and said that the devastation in Marietta exceeded that in those cities. He also said that Columbus is swamped with supplies which have been sent to that city; that the sidetracks are blocked with cars of provisions which cannot be taken care of or distributed. He is quite certain that when means of communication have been established between this city and the outside, Marietta will receive its share of Federal relief.
To Remove Mud From Clothing
The following is given as a sure method: Soak clothes all night in water and Gold Dust. Next morning wash out and soak again for an hour. Then was out again, and finally boil in a solution of Gold Dust and water.
More Locals
The first train over the Pennsylvania Lines will leave Bridge 153, about three miles from Marietta, tonight at 5 o'clock.
The steamer Ohio will leave from Pittsburg this evening.
The home of Ed Merydith, on Fourth street, was burglarized Monday night and besides a large amount of clothing, a pearl brooch and several hundred dollars worth of silverware was stolen.
Seventy-five pianos, which had been stored in Hovey's Hall on the West Side, were ruined.
Great credit is due to the three men who strung the telephone wire from Lowell to this city. The task was accomplished in ten hours.
George Mickle, of St. Marys, formerly of this city, arrived in this city this morning on a gasoline boat from his home. He reports the loss at St. Marys very heavy. No lives were lost there, according to Mr. Mickle.
The Star Clothing House is doing business on its second and third floors.
Rev. A. S. Carman, pastor of the First Baptist Church, receoved a telegram from H. L. Morehouse, of New York, secretary of the Baptist Home Missionary Society, who asked the damage done and the needs in Marietta and all Ohio. Rev. Carmen wired back, stating as nearly as possible the conditions in the flooded territories. It is believed that a sum will be donated by the society toward the relief of the suffering in Ohio.
Plumer & Crawford - General Insurance, Stocks and Bonds. (Adv)
The only buildings in the business section of Front street that are a total wreck are the one-story frame structures formerly occupied by the Henning millinery store, Miss M. K. Dye's post card parlor, Rhoss, the optician, and the Leader restaurant. The building occupied by Skidmore, the tailor, and Barren candy store, can probably be saved. The others are a total wreck.
Postmaster Charles Ward today requests all citizens who have changed their address to tell some of the post office employees, that mail may be properly delivered.
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