The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-04-24
GnInr.YIlIc.

GAINEsvGLLE, April D. Special T.
The rain ceased abou: dark last night
and in a few hours the waters OF Pecan
and Elm were confined within their
banks. The water in Pecan has ro-
ceded sufficiently to permit crossing in
vehicles without danger. The reports
OF loss of life were greatly exaggerated.
The family of Mr.. McAlee were all
rescued, while several families, after
being imprisoned several hours I'm tree
tops, were safely brought TO land, The
wife and two children Of a Mr.. Wilson
were reached by a negro named Buck
Shanks, and taking them in
boat started TO land, when 10 was
capsized by swift current, one Of the
children being drowned. The negro
bravely held TO the mothe and tho
other child until assistance reached
them. Bob Sparks, another negro, liv-
ing near the scene OF devastation, acted
in heroic manner, placing woman
and her child in u skin He started To
shore, when 1t was upset, and all thrown
in the water. Selling them by the
clothes, he swan TO the nearest tree and
placed the woman and hor children on
limb. He remained with thom until
II was evident the cold rain and many
hours Of exposure would result in the
death Of all, when he lied them securely
TO the tree with parts of his clothing and
swan ashore for aid, Al. the
country adjacent 10 the
creeks was completely submerged
and people In groat uumDers abandoned
their homes and fled 20 higher ground
for safety, Many tarried too long, their
houses were surrounded with water be-
fore they could escape, and numbers OF
men, women and children, TO save
themselves from watory graves, were
compelled 10 climb trees and remain I'm
the rain in a half porished condition un-
| I'll aid could reach them. So far as
| definitely known only one person was
drowned, but IL is feared many persons
nave persisted bosH above and below
this city. Communication is only open
Tor Il low miles eacn way, and correct
| reports are lot yet gceiyed. The dam
age 10 buildings, ienciug and growing
crops along tho course OF the streams is
! greater than was eyer before known in
this section on the west aud south of
the city. Elm was per-
feet sea of water, being about
two miles wider at several places. Pc.
can, which divides the eastern part Of
the city, assumed the huge proportions
OF mighty river.
Manager Harris, OF the water works,
gives the following concerning the dam.
age there; "At o'clock Yesterday
morning tho pump house wasiuundated,
caused by tho rain soitening the bank
H. the rear OF the house and the current
washing out considerable portion OF it
During the day the water rose and tell
alternately and not until ) p. IA. was any
personal communication had with tht
engineer and fireman. The flood mss
not yet sufficiently subsidized to asuer
tam the damage TO the dam abutmeni,
IND ukss.n
Preparation has been made for pump
ing the water out. Tho damage to toe
company VIII be several thousand dol
lars,
Crutcner& X Harrison's lumber yard
suffered greatly by the loss OF lumber.
some VI the houses Ia Silver City wer,
demolished, while others wero carried
a great distance and lodged In folds
rheinmatos were only rescued after lhl
waters had Ieceded.
by great eXorti0n most Of the grail
and machinery in the largo fouriui
mills of Scruggs 0 WhaleY wore pro
tected.
One OF the abutments of the bridg
across Elm river Is badly damaged,a ,au
puts the whole structure IN a danger
Gus condition.
| A frame store house, the property {