From "Story of the Great Flood and Cyclone Disasters"  Ed. by Thomas H.
Russell; 1913
pg 95-6

        W.R. Sullivan, a Dayton business man on his way to Denver, heard of
the flood while at Grand Island, Neb.  He returned to Lincoln, Neb., where
the difficulties of travel began.  He darted to Kansas City, where delay
confronted him; back to St. Joseph, Mo.; but here, too, no railroad would
promise to deliver him to Dayton.  Finally he went to St. Louis, caught a
train to Guthrie, Ky.; worked back through Louisville to Cincinnati, and
from the last city arried home in an automobile.  He found that the relief
committee had commandeered his own motor car and that his wife had given
away most of her bedding, clothing and food, but that she and the children
were safe.
        Satisfied, Mr. Sullivan offered his services to the city.  His story
is a sample of hundreds.