Floodwaters and Flames: The 1913 Disaster in Dayton, Ohio

"The story of the great flood of 1913, forgotten by many, from the residents of the city it hit hardest. Archaeologist and children's author Huey learned of the 1913 storm and its trail of destruction from the upper Midwest to New England from markings in an old factory in New York. After a bit of research, she found that one city, Dayton, Ohio, was a symbol of the disaster to the whole nation at the time...and yet the modern general public knows little of Dayton's trial by flood and fire. Continuing her research in Dayton, Huey discovered first-person accounts of the disaster and presents them in a narrative timeline. In the mingled voices of John Patterson, wealthy owner of National Cash Register, Orville and Katharine Wright, and librarian Mary Althoff, among other survivors, the story of the disaster plays out over three days in short sections devoted to each. Hobbled by a lack of information from Dayton's poorer (and largely African-American) west side, Huey includes the heroic story of black baseball player Bill Sloan, who saved 300 from the rising waters in a commandeered canoe. A spot or two of confusing prose doesn't mar this exciting account of the little-known disaster that helped spawn the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Ample black-and-white photos, document reproductions, and maps as well as fine aftermatter make this a good addition to historical collections anywhere."--Kirkus Reviews

"The tremendous rainfall of spring, 1913 that swept through the upper Midwest and eastward and took the lives of a thousand Dayton citizens was wedged between two higher profile calamities, the sinking of Titanic and the onset of World War I, and it therefore ended up as little more than a historical footnote. Huey calls attention to the tragedy, following events over three days through the experiences of a varied group of Daytonites as they fought for their own lives and those of neighbors and strangers. John H. Patterson, owner of the National Cash Register Company, promptly put employees and property at the service of those who needed food, shelter, or medical aid, and also set aside rooms for a makeshift morgue. John Bell kept telegraph service running throughout the storm, African-American baseball player Bill Sloane 'borrowed' a boat at gunpoint to rescue neighbors and, ultimately, even the boat's reluctant owner. Orville and Katharine Wright were separated from their aged father; librarian Mary Althoff tried but failed to save her collection; Clarence Mauch helped strangers escape from rooftop to rooftop ahead of fires caused by gasline explosions. Huey's approach is nicely attuned to a middle-grades readership, with just enough featured participants to represent a range of experiences, but not too many to sort out. Plentiful period photographs capture the enormity of the disaster, and a timeline, source notes, glossary and bibliography will assist report writers."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"After enduring 70-90 mph winds for two days, an ice storm the next, and two days of heavy rain, the residents of Dayton, Ohio, became aware of a new threat on March 25, 1913. Situated at the confluence of three rivers, the city had been protected by levees, but the rising waters quickly spilled over into the streets, flooding the lower floors of businesses and homes and trapping over 70,000 residents 'in buildings, in trees, and on poles.' That night brought freezing temperatures; the morning, gas explosions and fire. Illustrated with excellent archival photos, often reproduced in sepia tones, Huey's informative overview of events is punctuated by closer looks at how eight people weathered the storm as it progressed. These include Orville Wright and his sister Katharine, librarian Mary Althoff, who stayed in the library, and National Cash Register Company founder John Patterson, who quickly turned his factory into a relief center for residents fleeing their homes. These recurring individual narratives offer effective perspectives on events in different parts of town. Well researched, the book includes some quotes, but relies mainly on the clear, direct reporting of this inherently dramatic tale. This cleanly-designed book tells a little-known disaster story in quite the memorable fashion."--starred, Booklist