Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1875-07-29
THE FLOODS IN FRANCE.

THE FLOODS IN FRANCE.
The full extent of the terrible dis
sster which has overwhelmed severa,
of the Southern departments OF
Frame is only now beginning TO be
fully realized. The whole basin OF
the Garoane is submerged and the
smiling valley turned into a vast
sheet Of water. Towns and villages
have been swept away, while the des-
truction of human life has been some
thing appalling. So sudden and un-
expectedly did this deluge burst up
on the doomed districts that hundreds
met their death at their own fresides
by the sudden inroad OF the destroy
ing torrents. Some 10000 people
have been made homeless by these
floods, which in their extent and the
amount Of damage done are without
example in the history of France
Whole villages have been swept away
or lie buried beneath the water, the
farm houses have disappeared and
the crops been swept away from the
face of the country. Where few
weeks ago all was smiling With prom
ise of plenty is now a sad waste of
wide extending waters. Nor do the
foods promise soon TO suhside. On
the contrary the waters appear to be
rising, and snow and rain fall in the
desolated district as if to complete the
scenes of sorrow that have been there
enacted. Not even the terrible de-
vastations caused by the food in
1885 can be compared with the suff-
ering and loss they occasioned with
the plague OF waters that so unex-
pectedly has fallen upon France in
this present year. The material loss
es are immense. With praiseworihy
promptness the French Assembly vo-
ted 500, 600, for the immediate relief
of the sufferers, and the appeal made
TO the charity of the French people
was answered with characteristic gen
erosity. Still these outside aids can
but soften the force Of the crushing
disaster that has fallen on the people
of the inundated districts. They are
completely ruined, and when the
waters have subsidcd must proceed
to build up their fortunes as best they
can. One quSrter OF the town Of
Toulouse was almost completely des-
trov-d. Over 600 houses Of the Fau-
burg st. Cyprien were swept away,
rs were the manufactures established
on the river bank. Five Of the
bridges we're carried OF and the rail.
way iuvs completely intercepted
The most narrowing scenes were pre-
ssuied in the qusrter Inhabited by
the working men. More than 300
corpses had been discovered in the
inund.ted quarters and hundreds
we're wounded by the crumbling
buildings. In many cases the soldiers
met their death while endeavoring to
succor the people. But, great Us the
loss OF life Is known to have
been, those supposed to be buried
beneath the ruins of the fallen houses
viii, it is feared, vastly outnumbcr
the co1pses alreSdy discovered. Until
the waters subside ii will be impos
sible fully to estimate the los OF hfe
that has occurred. There is good
reason to.beiieve that it has been ter
rlblc. Three villages are known to
have been completely destroyed, with
their inhabitsnts. They were swept
absolutely away, and nothing remains
to marx tha, they had ever existed
Under these distressing conditions
the authorities, civil and military,
display most prai,eworthy energy
and devotion, Jut the suffering is too
widespread to admit Of more than
partial relief.
One of the touching incidents Of
this terrible drama occurred out
side of Toulouse. In 4 small village
all the inhabitants save The occupants
of a detached house had been warn
ed oftLe approaching danger ami were
enabled II seek q place. The un-
fortunate farmer and his family we're
awakened by the water flowing into
their house. Halt naked, they took
refuge on the roof OF the house. The
motaer numbed with cold, tied her
self to the chimney, holding her in
fant in her arms. The father, with
his two dasghters, maintained him
self on Il projection Of the roof. The
untortmates remained for a long
while in the position, when two cour
ageous soldiers, learning their dan
ger, put ,f in small boat to their
rescue. Directed by the cTes OF the
uniortunates they arrived at the
farm house. When their rescue
seemed certain the walls Of the house
suddenly gave way ami all were pre-
cipitated into the food. The fall Of
the house creating a kind Of whirl-
pool the two gallant soldiers who had
come to the farmers assistance were
swept into its vortex, and all per-
ished.
Wonderful Foats by JuSglerg.
Tho P4-t+a tho Moor sqys he ,sw