The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-11
CARRIED OUT TO SEA
CAPITAL OF LOWER CALIFORNIA IN
vADED BY TIDAL WAVE,
And People and Property Drawn Into
the Bay as the Water Recedcd-
Late Details from Guaymas.

SAN DIEGO, Cal, Oct 10.-Private dis
patches received here say that Lapaz, Mex
leo, has been destroyed by hurricane. The
storm was followed by a tidal wave, the
water in the bay rising to an unprecedent-
ed height. invading that portion of the city
fronting on the bay. and carrying out to sea
men, animals and debris of wrecked build
ings as the tide subsidized. The dispatch an
neuncing the destruction of Lapaz Is dated
Guaymas and was received by shipping
agent Reuter-. The dispatch said the
steamer Willamette Valley. of the Pacific
Mail line. had been delayed two days at
Guaymas by the same storm which devas-
tated Lapaz, but that she left Guaymas last
night for the North. Mexcans here say
that they have had dispatches about severe
storms which prevailed all along the coast
early this week. The loss Of life is report
ed heavy, but details of the disaster are
meager.
Lapaz is the capital of Lower California,
and is situated on a bay of the same name.
The port is we'll sheltered and easily de-
fensble against attack from the sea. The
city had population of three thousand. a
cathedral a government house and a town
house. and the place was once the abode of
luxury as evidenced by the handsome
dwellings OF the wealthy class. Lapaz was
once the seat Of extensive pearl fisheries,
silver mining was extensively engaged in,
and the commerce of the port was not in
considerable.
Four Drowned and II Injured.
GUAYMAS, Mexico. Oct. 1o--In the hurri-
cane which swept over la Paz 1Si houses
were destroyed, four lives were lost and
twcnty-one persons were wounded. Nine
teen vessels, including the American
schooner Car, partly loaded with dyna-
'-Hfite. were beaehed and a<goyerament cut
ter was sunk Gardens aiId orchards were
washed away. An iron safe containing
$500 in Mexican dollars was washed over
half a mile away, but was rescued.
At San Jose Del Cablo several houses
were damaged and gardens and orchards
dences were damaged. Considerable dam
age was done at Playa Cclorama. The GUS
toms house at Topolobampo was partly de-
stroyed and the adjoining buildings were
beached. Many residences of the Ameri-
can colony were destroyed and the remain
der more or less damaged. .Agiabampo was
try around the rivers Yaqua, Mayo and
Fuerte were overfiowed and immense. dam
age done nr, The sugar rerlneries b at Agia
fields were all washed away. There is no
news from the towns Of Fuerte and Alta
ta- 1t was supposed that. great damage
was done. Additional particulars are ex-
pected by the steamer Mazatlan. which is
now due.
Meager Advices at San Francisco.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 10. = Captain
Olsen. owner of the schooner Car, has re-
ceived private dispatch from Guaymas
confirming the story of hurricane and
tidal wave at Lapaz Lower California. The
Car is at Lapaz, and is high and dry on
the beach. 1t is feared that she is total
loss. Lola e Co., of this city, who have
extensive interests in Mexico. and Lower
California, have had no advices from their
Guaymas or Lapaz agents, and it is under
stood that the news Of the disaster was re-
ceived at Guaymas from passengers on
some steamer plying between Guaymas and
Lapaz. There is no direct telegraphic COM
munication with the Lower California cap
ital. so news from the scene of the disaster
is necessarily slow.
The Pacific Coast Steamship Company,
owners of the steamer Willamette Valley
have received no advices bearing on the
matter of the storm. Their steamer. the
Willamette Valley, was delayed at Quay
mas two days, but is now on her way north.
Mexicans here have a dispatch about se-
we're storm which prevailed all along the
coast early this week. The loss of life is
reported to be heavy, but details of the dis
aster are meager.