The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-08-26
AT VICTORIA.
SEW ENTY-FIVE HOUSES BLOWN
DOwN--LOSS 100000,

Speci ] Tel gram the Statesman.
VICTORIA, August 20.--A disastrous wind storm
visited our city this morning, leaving destruction
and desoaton in its track. strong easterly wind
prevailed all day yesterday and last night, rapidly
increasing in violence and In an hour or two was
blowing perfect hurricane. About 10 O'Clock this
morning the east-bOnnd passenger train, which
was standing at the depot, was blown over on the
platform. Several passengers were in it, but all
escaped unhurt. The freight depot ana the Mason
ic hall, both large buildings, are total wrecks
The whole COlOred population was
almost literally swept from the face of the earth.
Two church steeples blew down and two churches
were unroofed. The high school building and Jail
we're considerably damaged. Altogether there
were about seventy-hve houses completely demol
ished and some 1iS more or less damaGed Very
few buildings escaped unhurt. All the trees and
most of the shrubbery in the yards were blown
down. The streets are filled with debris, trees, lum-
her, tin, brick etc. Business Is entirely suspended
The loss is roughly estimated at not less than
100000. Fortunately no lives were lost, and no
persons seriously Injured Old citizens say this is
the most terrible storm ever known in Victoria.
Telegraph wires are all down; no communication
south of here. A special train left here at 12:5
for IndianOa, but nothing has been heard from il
since News from CuerO says the storm was very
disastrous to property there also. Adyices from
the country say the storm was very violent, dam
aging crops and destroying property, equally as
bad as in town.
THE STORM At INDIANoIA.
LATER - Midnight 49, A special train has just ar
rived from Indianola bringing sad news as to that
place. The relief party that went down on 1t re-
port the following; The special arrived within
four miles of lndianoa at 2:30 p. IN. The track,
abo1t two and a half miles between there and lndi-
anola was washed away badly, and part gone.
We walked within half mile of the town in water
waist deep, but could get no further. We saw Mr..
Clements, the railroad agent, across the bayou,
The bridge WAS washed away. He said he would
have a train there very early in the morning
as everybody wants TO get away; nothing to eat,
and no clothes. He reported the lower end of the
town gone. As far as can be seen, from Mrs. La
gus TO the ice house, both sides of the street are
gone. The wharf is all gone; Supposed to be
many lives lost ~ many persons are missing. The
only body found was the sister-in-law of Mr.
Hodges, at CuerO, Tex. 1t was discovered
this side of the stock pens, about two miles from
town, lying in the water by the side of the track
Some houses were burned. The fire is supposed
TO have been caused by lamps in falling houses
Missing: DR.. Lewis, Capt Reed, DIR. Rosencranz,
MIR; Shepherd and family, Mrs. Hodges and two
children. Henry Sheppard was found across the
lake, body bruised, hut still alive. Mrs. Max
Luther lost her two children. One died in her
arms. A special will leave here tomorrow morn
ing. Full particulars will be obtained on lie re-
turn.