Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net [Illustration: STRICKEN] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- THE TRUE STORY OF OUR NATIONAL CALAMITY OF FLOOD, FIRE AND TORNADO The appalling loss of life, the terrible suffering of the homeless, the struggles for safety, and the noble heroism of those who risked life to save loved ones; the unprecedented loss of property, resulting in the laying waste of flourishing cities and towns HOW THE WHOLE NATION JOINED IN THE WORK OF RELIEF By LOGAN MARSHALL Author of "THE SINKING OF THE TITANIC," "THE UNIVERSAL HANDBOOK," "LIFE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT," "THE STORY OF POLAR CONQUEST," "MARSHALL'S HANDY MANUAL," Etc. PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED WITH AUTHENTIC PHOTOGRAPHS ----------------------------------------------------------------------- COPYRIGHT 1913, BY L. T. MYERS The material in this work is fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States. All persons are warned against making any use of it without permission. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Prayer by Bishop David H. Greer: O Merciful God and Heavenly Father, who hast taught us in Thy holy word that Thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men, give ear to the prayers which we humbly offer to Thee in behalf of our brethren who are suffering from the great water floods. Cause them in their sorrow to experience the comfort of Thy presence, and in their bewilderment the guidance of Thy wisdom. Stir up, we beseech Thee, the wills of Thy people to minister with generous aid to their present needs, and so overrule in Thy providence this great and sore calamity that we may be brought nearer to Thee and be knit more closely one to another in sympathy and love. All which we humbly ask, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [Illustration: WHERE THE NATION'S SYMPATHIES ARE CENTERED] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS CHAPTER I The Greatest Cataclysm in American History . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 CHAPTER II The Death-Bearing Flood at Dayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23