The Osceola times., 1885-05-02
A TEXAS DElUGE.

Heavy Rains Swell the Streams to Tor
rents, which Cause Sad Havoc In snd
Around GAinsviiie - Buildings Washed
Away, with Their Inmates and Many
Lives Lost-The Perilous Work OF seeur-
Ing the sun-rsrs-further Disaster EK-
pected.
GAINESVILLE, TEX, April pa most
disastrous fiood has prevailed in this city
all day. About three O'Clock yesterday
morning the citizens were awakened by
loud cries for help, the shrill sound oil
the alarm whistle and the sound OF rush
ing waters. The rain had been falling In
torrents all night, aud Pecan Creek,
which runs through the eastern portion oil
the Town, had risen to an alarming ex-
tent. Many families living In that vicinity
were awakened TO mud themselves sur
rounded BY water and many houses were
overthrown and washed down the stream
Help was promptly on hand. Ropes
were thrown out, and every possible
means used 10 assist the sufferers, but
the intense darkness retarded the labor
crs. Many persons had taken refuge In
trees when they found that 1t was impos-
slble to wade through the torrents, and
the air was filed with the shreks Of
women and children. In several instances
mothers, with their babes in their arms,
remained olinging to limbs for hours, un-
III they were rescued, more dead than
alive. When day broke the banks for 3
great distance were strewn with debris
OF every description. While this was
going on the scene on Elm Greek, west
of the city, was equally horrible.
This morning word was brought
that several families had been caught by
the water, were lodged in trees and
would be drowned, unless assistance
Was rendered. Several responded TO the
call, and when they reached the scene
the spectacle was truly appalling. Men,
women and children were discovered,
some swimming and some clinging to
trees. Several RATS and boats were pro-
cured and launched, but were broken 10
pieces or sunk by the force of the cur
rent. In one instance negro sue
ceeded in getting WOMAN and
her two children into boat,
when 1t upset and the fran.
tic mother saw her children sink 10
rise no more. Several new boats were
constructed, and after five or six hours
labor they succeeded 10 rescuing the ma.
jority of the sufferers. II is impossible
to estimate the damage which is done TO
property. 1t Is rumored that many fam
lilies above and below here are in great
distress and that many lives are lost.
Rescuing parties left here, but have
not returned. A telephone mes
sage has been received from
St. Joe, above here, which
stated that the force OF the food had not
reached there, and repetition OF to-day's
horrors is feared there tonight. Old
residents say that this is the most disas-
trous food that has ever visited this por.
tion OF the State, and the water was two
feet higher than 1t was twenty-seven
years ago, when there was great loss OF
life and property. All the bridges in the
city were washed away and those In the
eastern portion are entirely Gu,
of from the business part. The
railroad bridges In the corporate
limits were considerably damaged, and
had TO be repaired before the train left
this morning. No mail was received here
to-day. The rain has continued during
the entire day, but up to the present
time the water has risen very little. The
scene Is the most heartrendlng and dis
tressing ever witnessed in this city, and
the waters carry death and destruction In
their resistless currents.