The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1886-09-17
The Storm.

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which prevailed throughout the ter
utorY were such as have not been b..
fore Witnessed hy the oldest inhabitants
many towns have suffered great loss
a1od. socorro was las; week damaged
TO great extent The biggest rush Of
water was at Bowlingrcuu. Of which
the sucorrO Chiuftain says.
When the late storm was at its
height and socorro appeared to be IN
danger OF obstruction. a terrible calam
ity helell tire pleasant little town Of
Bowlingreeu. situated about ten miles
above tins city and on the east side OF
the river. When darkness set In. aud
the roar Of the raging tempest became
more furious than ever, the people OF
that doomed town retired Ia dread, but
yet little expected the terrible fate by
which their homes and all earthly pos
essions were swept into the Rio Grand.
The town WAS situated right opposite
the mouth Of theHrroya OF Sau LJren.
20, which drains q great stretch of
mountain and valley, ana then empties
into the Rio Grandc ON the west side
OF the river. The fury OF the storm in.
creased Ia intensity, when suddenly
the people Of the town were startled
10y a terrific oar which rapidly grew
louder and louder. The Mortified I'm
habitants rushed from their houses.
and during the bright intervals. winch
were caused by the continual flashes OF
lightning, saw that u torrent, mount
aims high, was pouring down the ar
roya OF san Lorenzo on the opposite
side Of the river, some thought that
the RIO Graude being between them
and the torrent. would shield them
from the impending danger. but others
quickly saw that The river would be no
bnrrler, and really was insignificant in
comparison with the tremendous mass
OF water was hurting Itself down the
mountains. There was no time for De.
liberation, aud the inhabitants aban-
donIng everything. rushed for the hills
not far back of the town. They had
scarcely reached the nights when the
torrent rushed into the river. literally
cutting II in twain, aud continued TO
ward the doomed town, poured over
the east bank and Immediately engulf.
ed the entire place, leaving obstruction
where hut few moments before planty
AM cOut"n,ment abuunded. The wa
tiers from the west continued TO cut The
uyer, and sweep the lands on the east
side, for hours afterwards. and IL Is no
eXageerati0u To- state that they acted rs
a dam upon the waters OF the Rio
Grande, which above that point were
rapidly raised until tho entire adjacent
country was flooded, aud heirg finally
released from their bonds, rushed on
toward the gulf, oyerl0% ing the low
lands for many miles, and causing very
serious damage. The people of Bowl
lngreen were compelled to remain IN
the hills, with nothing tut their blank.
cts as Il protection against the inrlcm.
ency OF the weather. until daylight set
in, when the ruins Of their former
homes mel their gaze. Their loss is Q
very serious one, and great de,tltutiOn
among the lhr, ehuudred phahitauts.
must prevail unless relief Is adlorded
and those communities which can af.
ford to do so, should lend a helping
hand.
While the storm ragged IN the valley
on Wednesday night, IA wonderful hal
storm deyasted Santa Rita, and sur.
rounding country. The hail stones
were of such enormous size as to strI(
all the trees of their branches, while
many cattle were killed and several
docks OF sheep were absolutely pound,
ed into atoms. Il is feared that some
lives were lost.