The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-05-29
A DEPL0RABLE DISASTER
Waco Storm Struck 10 Most Pitlabel
Extreme.
The Torrent and the Tornado Carry
Death in Their Wake.
Nearly Score Of People Drowned In
the BRACES and IFS Branches.
A Quarter of Million Dollars Damage
in the City and County.
A Night of Terror for the Victims of the
Inundation--Much Suffering Exist
ing-Relief Measures Inaugu-
rated by the Council.
A Quarter Of Million Dollars Damage
in the City and County.
THE STORM IN OTHER SECTIONS.
A Terrible Flood Disaster at Waco

WACO, May 2s.-[Special,l AN pre-
vious accounts of storm violence In
this city and county were overshadowed
by the rain and tornado last night, last
ing from7 till 10 o'clock. The rainfall
was indiscribably heavy and did not
cease till this morning. Waco creek a
small stream which flows through the
western and southern limits of the city
and has broad valley, was swollen as
early as 10 o'clock. Hundreds of resi-
denoes dot its banks on either side.
These were all inundated. Scenes of
terror and confusion ensued. In the
midst Of the storm that was raging peo-
pie deserted their homes and fled to
places of safety.
GREAT Loss OF LIFE.
T. bennington, aplumber, with a wife
and three small children remained In
their house. II was washed away, went
TO pieces and the whole family drowned.
The bodies were found this morning and
We're inferred this afternoon.
Howard Lewis (colorod), his wife, sis
ter and three children, living on the
Tehuacana, o small stream east of the
city, lost their lives In the same manner.
This makes IL victims, and there are
unconhrmed reports of five others
drowned south OF the city in the Brazos
bottom.
THE DAMAGE
by the wind and rain is immense.
The wholesale dry-gOods warehouse
OF Lessing, solomon q Rosenthal had
its root blown off and goods DANA ged
TO the extent of $4,000.
ID. Domnau & Bro. were damaged the
same way $1,000.
Joseph Nails, undergrad man, j,
B. Baker and J. n. Harris, brick. ward.
were damaged $1,000 TO 5000 each.
iIhe total damage in the city is not
less than $4,000.
The Brazos river rose rapidly, pass.
ing all rises this year, and reaching %
inches beyond the great rise last wear.
All the bottom lands, comprising the
finest cotton plantations In the state,
were inundated and crops ruined. The
losses in this way in this (NcLennan)
county will be at least $4,000.
On the prairies the grain crop is ut
terly destroyed.
IN EAST WACO,
portion of which had already been In
undated for three days, the scenes last
night and to-day beggars description.
The people saw the Brazos was rising
and additional water would be thrown
on them and at once prepared for safety.
All night long, while the storm ragged,
the work OF removing women and
children went on by the light Of
lanterns. No lives were lost there,
Every store there Is flooded and de-.
serted and several buildings washed
away,
THE RIVER
has continued to rise all day, but now
(at p. m.l is nearly at a standstill.
The weather is warm and cloudy, and
additional rain is feared.
The suspension and railroad bridges
across the Brazos are enduring fear.
iul strain but II Is believed they will be
saved.
RELIEF MEASURES
were set on foot to-day for the beneflt of
the destitute and homeless sufferers, who
are numerous.
The city council also is 10 hold spe-
clal session tonight To take such action
tion.
This is by all odds the most deplorable
disaster that has occurred here for
long time. Aside from the loss OF life,
the damage TO property and crops Wilt
be so large as TO be felt seriously. All
the losses-property, crops,etc.-cannot,
by tho most conservative estimate, fail
short, In city and county, of 100000.
The railroads are at standstill. No
tram movements on any Of the roads in
any direction to-day. Road-beds are
padly damaged by washouts and many
bridges have been swept away.
kilograms 70 the Day (sn evening
pAper) from Iredell and Morgan, in
Bosque county, report the storm as yery
heavy there last night aud several
houses were blown down at each place.
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