Evening journal., 1888-06-27
FRHGHTsUL FLOODS.
Hundreds Drowned Along tbe Mex
lean Central Railway.

CITY OF MEXICO, June q. Telegrsphic
communication, which has been interrupted
for several days by the q 1cda, has been re-
stored, and the particulars of the terrible
disaster on the line of the Mexican Central
railway, particularly at Leon and Silao
are obtained. During the psst 20 days the
table lands between here and Hacateeas
have been visited by unprecedented rains
Leon aud Silao have been partially de
stroyed by floods About 1926 hodses have
been destroyed at Silao.
On the Goth II was learned that the foods
had been more destructive 10 Leon than 10
in silao. On Monday, the ls h, the river
broke over its dykes ard fl loded the city
People believing themselves secure from the
hood went 70 bed In those parts OF the town
where the water bad not found its way.
The steady downfall Of rain with tse
extensive water bed OF the outlying conn
try increased the flow of the river and
rapidly extended lts channel until over
half Of Leon was under water Houses
tumblsd in rapidly, having been worn
away by ths water, aud loss OF life
began, unparalleled 10 ths history OF any
of ths great foundations Of modern
times AS the buildings fell the eleepers
were either crushed to death or drowned.
Ore whole night o. tsrror followed. Men
women and children led so ths streets in
their night clothes. On Tuesdsy mornif z
rain wns still falling and there had been no
psrcsptible decrease 10 the stream OF water.
A mammoth lake extended Its length and
breadth to all points OF ths compass. The
loss Of life up to this writing has reached
Into hundreds All night IL poured until
/ Wednesday morning saw the late sur
rounding the city nndimlnished in size
with steady rain disturbing its surfscs II
is estimated that l 500 parsons persisted
There Is a strong odor from heaps OF
rubbish that once formed houses. aud one
is led to believe that there must be bodies
buried under them. There are also bodiei
still floating 10 the water. One hundred
and eleven bodies were recovered without
moving any ruins OF houses Tbs de
stroysd houses ars estimated at 1000, aud
the loss at s2,c00,OO0.
Many other towns have been badly dam
aged, but loss of life Is only reported from
Silso and Leon. The Mexiean Central hai
suffered very severely. Several vAshout'
occurred between An uas Calientes snI
Laon but they have nos been repaired
aud trains are running from Fl Paso g
far south as Leon, TO Iraplato, distances
OF 80 miles
Tae last reports from Leon are heart
rsndlng. The While population
ousiIy working into the ruins OF the tAile
houses. Nearly every body has lost rela
tions or friends. and those who have Do
have seen their earthly possessions disap
pear 10 night
The estimated loss OF life and propert
given are the smallest report aud IN th
bounde CT truth The last statemeE
places the number OF houses destroyed /
Leon at 2 224, aud the homeless families =
more than 1900 More than 250 bodie
have been recovered from the ruins.
. Leon and Silao are respectively 80 mile
west northwest and 10 miles northwe
OF Gusnsjuate. Leon has 6000 and Sila
; 1000 Inhabitants Both are well bull
towns, and Leon Is an important industril
; centre.