The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-28
GREAT FLOOD AT PUEBLO.
A CLoUDBURsT TURNS THE 4RKANsAs
INTO A RAGING TORRENT

Tho Bottoms flooded In an Honr-Men on
Horseback Warn the Thrcntencd Pcopic
A Fart OF the Business District Under
vater-Buildinrs Swept Awny-At Lennt
Seven Lives Lost md $3.50 900 Damage.
PUEBLO Col. July 27-Last night Pueblo
was overtaken by the greatest disaster in the
history OF the city. resulting in the loss OF at
least seven lives and the total destruction OF
an immense amount OF property The aRgre-
gate loss Ia not far from S250000.
When the people Of Pueblo retired to their
beds last night gentle rain had been falling.
and the Arkansas River flowed through the
centre OF the city with the water but a few
inches above ordinary high water mark.
But at IL o'clock all were awakened by the
discordant screeching OF the great fire alarm
whistle and tho footing OF other whistles
in oil pnrts OF the city. The Arkansas River
flowed bank full. now and then wave coming
over the top OF the heavy levoes. which are
maintained by tho city Goyernm ent to prevent
floods.
The Fountain Qui-Bouille. the principal local
tributary OF the Arkansas. had. in couple OF
hours. from q peaceful. babtling brook. be-
come raging torrent. carrying death and de-
struction in its wake. Argent cloudburst had
emrted tons uron tons OF water into the
streams. filling their banks In IN instant
The Police and Fire departments imme di-
atcly despatched mounted messengers to
warn the jewellers In low lying portions
Of the city OF the impending danger. In a
short time the streets were filled with
men. women. and children clad in their
night clothes. having been driven from their
beds by the encroaching waters. Many fami-
lies were separated in the confusion. and
frantic mothers ran about the streets hewail-
ing the loss Of their children. Men called for
their wives. and sobbinR babies were every
where.
The raging waters tore their way through
the levee on the north side of the river near
the Main street bridge and spread over many
blocks Of ground as 1t poured through 1t. un-
dermining the foundations OF largo franc
saloon building, carrying It fully seventy-1ve
feet from it's former location.
A carpenter shop adjoining was torn away
and carried 100 feet, and many smaller build
ings near were carried away. The second Gre
vase appeared half mile up the river. a gap
twenty-five feet wide forming in an instant.
Through these openings a torrent rushed to
the thickly settled portions Of the bottoms
The houses. as q rule. are small boarded
shantics, tents. and adobe cabins. occupied by
the working classes of small means In quick
succession followed other crevasses. admitting
city lying north Of the river.
Near the roundhouses Of the Atchison. To-
peka and Santa Fe road the levee was torn
away for a distance OF fully 200 feet Rescu-
ers manned boats and RATS and hastened to
the relief OF the unfortunates. Hundreds OF
families were found huddled together upon
the roofs of their swaying domiciles and 9TH
ers clung to the branches OF trees until aid
should reach them.
The waters rose higher and higher until
they Tapped the floors OF the river bridges.
standing on which were many sightseers. The
bridges swayed. and ct times 1t seemed that
thoy must certainly be carried away.
The rescuers hurried the people away to
places OF greater safety. many being quartered
in the City Hall. Tho police stations. and in
many cases private houses, were thrown open
The Easements of all the business houses in
the lower lying parts OF the city quickly filed
doing great damage to tho stocks OF goods
stored there A row OF brick buildings lines
the west side OF Union avenue. between First
and Second streetr.
Their Easements soon became flooded. and
finally the foundations collapsed. carrying
down the partition wall between the undertake
ing rooms OF Dustin & Fitzpatrick and the ORR
entail Tea Company. The second floor followed
the partition the mass OF debris being precip-
itated into the basement. which was filed
with collins.
The Job printing Office OF Thum Brothers oc-
cupied tho second floor. The heavy presses
and other machinery are in, the base;
mept. mass Of hrokepq iron and steel. and
Ht Of q hys y
rannns dur M the dsv large numbor t u
om eR the e that the dynamos may be
again started.