St. Landry democrat., 1885-05-02
a TEXAS DELUGE.

Heavy Rains Swell the Streams to Tor
rents. which Cause Sad Havoc I'm and
Around GAINESVILLE - Buildings WASHED
Away, with Their Inmates and Many
Lives Lost-The Perilous Work OF secur-
ing the SufEerers-Further Disaster Ex-
pected.
GAINESVILLE, TEX, April pa most
disastrous food 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 OF
the alarm whistle and the sound OF rush
inc waters. The rain had been falling in
torrents all night, and Pecan Creek,
which runs through the eastern portion OF
the town. had risen to an alarming ex-
tent. MANY families living in that vicinity
were awakened to find themselves sur
ronnded bv water and many houses were
overthrown and washed down the stream.
Helm was promptly on hand. Ropes
were thrown out, and every possible
means used to assist the suHerers' bu6
the intense darkness retarded the labor
ers, Many persons had taken refuge III
trees when they found that it was lmpos,
sibIe to wade through the torrents, ana
the air was filled with the shrlekS OF
women and children. In several instances
mothers, with their babes In their arms
remained clinging to limbs for hours, un-
til they were rescued, more dead tnah
alive. When day broke the banks tor
great distance were strewn with deofls
of every description. While tnls was
ooinp on the scene on Elm Creek, west
6f 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-
4 cured and launched, but were broken 10
pieces or sunk by the force OF the cur
/ rent. In one instance a negro sue,
ceeded in getting woman ana
her two children into boat,
when it upset and the tran
tic mother saw her children sink TO
| rise no more. Several new boats were
constructed, and after five or six hours
labor they succeeded in rescuing the ma
ioritv of the sufferers. 1t is Impossible
10 estimate the damage which is done to
property. It is rumored that many fam,
lies 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 IRON
St. Joe, above here, which
stated that the force of the food had no
reached there, and repetition OF to-day Z
horrors is feared there tonight. olt
residents say that this is the most disas
trous food that has ever visited this por
ton of the State, and the water was tW'
feet higher than it was twenty-seVel
years ago, when there was great loss o
life and property. ALI the bridges IN tn
city were washed away and those In tn
eastern portion are entirely Gu
off from the business part. IN
railroad bridges in the corporat
linits were considerably damaged, an.
had to be repaired before the train lei
this morning. No mail was received her
to-day. The rain has continued durln
the entire day, but up to the presen
time the water has risen very little. IN
scene is the most heartrending and dis
tressing ever witnessed in this city, an
the waters carry death and destructlon
their resistless currents.