The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-10-09


IFrOpAhe Lauaasas Dispatch Extu. september ssl
e~>On Friday night, after midnight, the rain
began to fall with considerable force and so
continued until late in the
urday. BY 10 o'clock on Saturday the
town was flooded with water from the
branches around town and the back water
from Burleson and Sulphur Fork About
P. N, the overflow from the Sulphur Fork
took place, and in thirty minutes the town
was submerged. In less than half an hour
from the break over oi the water from the
creek, a dozen or more houses were swept
of, leaving the lots entirely desolatc Of
piece of timber. Not thing had been taken
from single house so far as we know. In
fact, no one suspected such terrible catas-
trophe; and when it did come, the question
was ''what shall we do to save our livesg"
Women and children went from their
falling houses, wading up to their waists,
screaming for help, and an impossible
slough separating many of the men from
their families. Some took refuge in trees.
where they were Obliged to remain for three
or four hours, befora help could get to them.
One sick lady, with child three weeks old
in her arms, stayed in tree until rescued
after tho water subsided.
But very few houses in town were high
enough to be entirely exempt from the
ravages of the rushing waters.
The College, Gracy's hotel, the Lampasas
hotel upper story,) Mrs. Huling's, Tom
Haynes and Judge AcGinnis's are nearly
the only houses without water on the door.
Many houses which were not swept away
had all their contents taken of.
The houses in the highest parts Of town
were filed with the distracted, almost
naked and shivering women and children.
About o'clock the waters began to sub
side, and soon the men Of the town were
busy with wagons and horses hunting up
the houseless and disconsolate. Every house
where any comforts and provisions were left
was made open and free to the destitute and S
houseless. Dozens Of familiesafe left with
not change of clothing, pair Of shoes. or
a morsal Of food. More than TWENTY-FIVE
residences and business houses were washed
away.
One unfortunate man was drowned upon
the public square-being crippled in the
hand he was unable to catch among the
trees through which he was dashed. His
name s Lewis @. Philips whose brother
was fortunate enough to save himself IN a
tree, where he remained TIL the subsidence
Of the waters. he saw his brother making
desperate efforts to save himself, and az last
was compelled to witness his development
in the angry waves. The body was found
the next day on the other side Of Burleson
creek, more than half a mile from town.
About two miles below town the saddest
occurrence connected with our flood took
place. Judge w. ii. Garrett and a Mr
Jones, who worked with him, lived very
near the creek, and fearing their houses
would be washed away, took their families
in wagon and started to the higher
grounds. A deep fat had to be crossed,
and in passing through IL the wagon upset
and Judge Garrett and one child, and Mr..
Jones with two children were drowned.
Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Garrett, with the bal
ance Of their families were saved Had
they remained at their houses they would
have been safe, as the water did not get
into them.
Those left entirely homeless, their houses
having washed away, arc as follows: Hart
Anderson, j. i. Powers, Mrs Higgins.
John Sparks's residence filled with furni-
turc Che and family both away from homc),
DR.. W. p Beall, Ernest Enqie, Mrs. Dick
son, Mr.. Labat, d. o. Mitchell, Thos.
Bivins, Mrs Mary Gwin, Joe Casbeer, Dir.
Bruton, John hillcran part Of 1lr. Chalk's
house and most Of the plundeF are lost.
The business houses which were wished
of are D. q. Phillips & Bro, family gro
cery; Vance & Thomas, large family gro
ccry, with new stock just arrived; s. s.
Gholson & Co, general merchandise; Kit
Williams, book, drug and family grocery
store in which was the postofice, with an
the contents Of the same, 3litchell's meat
market house; Abney & Lcssing's iaw Office.
with al their papers and books; White 81
Gibson's law Office, with al their books and
papers; Hayworth & Bros new store house
washed into the public square and lodged
/ greatly damaQcd); smart's blacksmith
shop The large house Of Henry Hill. used
a. a court house, was washed ten Or twelve
feet, and many Of the records lost and the
balance badly injured
At present Il IS almost impossible % give
an estimate Of the loss sustained from the
effects Of the late flood, bnt We think
$75 600 q low estimate.
We forgot 70 mention that the water
come about three feet into our printing
Office ard carried of our paper mile Or
two. We can scarcely get things II shape
70 make q readable extra
Owing 70 our late misfortunea We win Be
unable 70 issue the Disgotch this week. Per-
sons not receiving our paper o. September
25, win attribute Il 70 the ogefdoa, a. B
vast amount Of matter prepared foE the mail
was lost.