The herald., 1895-08-01
A SCENE OF DESOLATION
Socorro Nearly Washed Away by Waves
of Water
nany People Reported Drowned and Hundreds
Of Poor Laborers Rendered Home.
less and Destitute

SOCORRO, N. NJ, July 31.-A tre-
mendous roaring startled the people Of
socorro yesterday afternoon about 4
O'Clock. Shortly huge waves Of water
came rushing down the arroyo which
drains the eastern slope of the Magdalena
mountains and almost encircles the town.
At first it was hoped that the flood would
BIZ confined to the lower portions of the
city, but soon the water came over above
the town and three feet of water began to
rush through the principal streets. The
shrieks of the women and children min
gled with dying walls OF those swept into
eternity. I'D.
The water camc in waves, each succeed
ing one being apparently higher than the
others, portions of houses, he usehold fur
niture, baby carriages, stoves and farm
bers. all being borne through the streets
OF the city by the madly rushing waters.
For TWO hours the WORK of destruction
continued. the horror being increased by
vivid lightning, crashing thunder and
binding rain. Gradually the waters sub.
81 led sufficiently, to allow partial in
spection of the destruction. Only two
bodies were taken from the waters before
dark. mother and q child. An attempt
was made to reach the people in the river
bottom, but darkness and the absence of
boats prevented. All night homeless peo-
pie were brought in and cared for.
This morning scene of desolation was
houses have escaped heAH damage or de-
struction. but hundreds 1.-the poorer peo-
pie have lost everything, being homeless,
penniless and almost naked. More than
fifty houses are known to have been de-
stroyed, while almost every residence in
the city IS damaged. Since the water has
receded many adobe houses have fallen
and many others must be abandoned. :.
The bodies recovered have been identified
rs mem bers of the Duran family, seven
of which are missing. -Four more bodies
were taken out this morning and recog-
nized as Durans, making six recovered
Other bodies are reported as being seen
but owing to the tIeacherous nature Of
the ground they cannot be reached. The
destructive waters spread over the entire
city and carried death everywhere. Many
are reported missing. Another victim
has since been added to the death list, an
infant son OF f.. Baca.
Reports coming from towns north and
south of here tell of heavy losses. For
property was terrible, farm houses and
crops being entirely swept out. The
Atchson, Topeka and Santa Fe tracks
were taken out between here ard San
Antonio in several places. The branch
road from this city to Magdalena is prac-
tically destroyed foi ten miles and many
bridges are gone.
Dead-Lcandro Duran. Celia Duran,
Thomas Duran. j. B. Duran. two others
named Duran and child of E. Baca.
Two members of the Duran family are
alive.
No estimate of the loss can yet be made
but it is more than 81. QUO, 900.
Among the heaviest losers are Major f.
Bacon, G. Il. Brown, J. E. Smith, A. D.
Coon. G. s. Perling, j. II. Hilton. f.
Katzenstein. G. W. Terry. A. H. Byerts,
Canuito Torres, E. E. Void, Elias Bsca.
Mrs. l.. o. Hall.
Hundreds of farmers have lost their
farm houses, crops, fences and stock, and
in many cases the farms have been rem
dered unfit for cultivation.
This afternoon the citizens Of Socorro
met at the court house and a relief COM
mittee was appointed. The work of re-
lief was at once commenced, but the de-
mands soon outgrew the resources, as
every citizen has suffered loss. The
number of persons thus suddenly forced
upon charity cannot now be estimated.
1t is raining in the moutains again to-
night, and grave fears are entertained as
to the safety of the remainder of the city.
Reports of damage continue to come in.
1t is reported that three small towns
south of here were totally destroyed.