San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1880-09-04
FROM BEAR CREEK.


EDITOR FREE Pass: Since l last
wrote We have had plenty Of rain, and
the cotton prospect is very fine, the
growth Of the weed or stock has not
been equalcd for many years, the bolls
are largo and very numerous picking
has commenced, no worm here yet
About tho 18th and 18th Of this month
there was IN enormous amount OF rain
fell here, which Isuppose was general
il did not rain very hard much OF the
time, but all told it must have have
rained twenty-four hours steady. The
creeks we're up sharply, and the ground
thoroughly filed with water.
Ga the 18th, two Of the most severe
cyclones that lever had any knowledge
Of passed, one just south, and the 9TH
or Just north Of where live. l was
on the edge of the commotion OF the
clouds and elements Of both. They
both passed exactly at the same time.
The one south, l am informed, created
or was created in sight Of the Onion
Creek Post Office, and also OF the
Camp ground on Onion creek, and at
the mouth of Bear Creek where there
was . camp meeting then in progress.
But it did not assume its most alarm
iur attitude until within about half q
mile of Mr.. Chas. Criser's residence:on
Bear creek, about three miles from
the mouth of the creek. where it drop
ped down and wiped every tree and al
most every shrub clean from the face
of the earth. 1t carried away and
wholly destroyed new barn of Mr..
Crisers' and all of the fencing that it
struch. 1t passed in a few yards OF
his house, Mr.. Crisers said at that
point it was not more than fifty or six
ty yards wide, and seemed to move tor.
ward quite slowly, but swept every
thing before it. Trees large or small
we're twisted off like pipe stems, or
hurled out roots and all-killing all
the stock that happened to be in its
path. For about two miles after 1t
passed Mr.. Criser's it tore an open
lane through the timber from one to
two hundred yards wide. The largest
twisted off or torn out by the roots and
carried so far that it was impossible to
tell where they came from. Alter that
it would alternately become wider and
narrower. When it was the widest
it was the least destructive. 1t had
at all times a well defined centre, but
what was singular to me, whenever it
did not carry the timber away from
where it stood, it was laid at right an
giles to the right and left Of the general
course of the storm and much the larg'
est quantity to the left. AS it passed
on it became wider and less terrible.
1t did not strike any ones dwelling or
farm from Mr.. Crisers to the John.
son Institute, though it passed in
sight of Messrs. Crawford. Bates, Ash
wood. B. f. and j. c. Cady and Tuck
er's. 1t struck the Institute farm, but
its fury being greatly abatel it only
blew down ore rather old house and 4
considerable amount OF fence, and soon
after failed to be traceable. The dam
age done to Cedar timber is heavy.
The general course Of the storm was a
little north of west, but made frequent
short tacks and would again resume its
course. Of the one that passed north
of here l have not heard many of the
particulars. | presume there were no
lives lost or would have heard of it.
Mr.. Joe Davis says that it passed
through his farm doing good deal OF
damage. He says that it demolished
the fence that it struck. Literally
tore his peach orchard up. Twisted
ears of corn in two in the field, etc.
Miss Smith has recovered. Miss
Mary Oldham has gone on recreation
and visiting tour in company witt Mr..
John Green's family to Llano and
Blanco counties. Mr.. Green accom-.
panikd them to the Perdinalis river
and babe them good luck and returned.
Health in the neighborhood is good.
Business generally is more prosperous
than it has been for many months.
The Railroad was completed and
several trains running to Onion creek
few days ago. l suppose it will 90
through in hurry from that point to
the Blanco river. MELRoY.
For want of space We are obliged to
postpone the remainder of Melroy's let
far All o,,r paxti ssua En-