San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-08-01

quilted.
DENVER, Col, Aug. Ia News
special from Socorro, N. NJ, says:
A tremendous roaring startled the
people of Socorro Tuesday after
noon about p. m. 1t was huge
wave of water crushing down the
arroyo, which drains the northern
slope of the Magdalena mountains
and almost encircles the town. At
first it was hoped the flood would
be confined to the lower portion Of
the city, but soon the water came
over toward the town and three
feet of water began rushing
through the principal streets. The
shrieks of women and children,
mingled with the crashing Of fall
ing houses and the dying walls OF
souls swept into eternity. The
water came in waves, each succeed
ing one being apparently higher
than the others. Portions of houses,
household goods, carriages, stoves
and farm implements, mingled
with huge boulders, railroad ties
and bridge timbers, all were borne
through the streets 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 subsidized sufficiently to al
low a partial inspection Of the de.
struction. Only two bodies were
taken from the waters before dark,
dead, q mother and her child. An
attempt was made to reach
those living in and near the
river bottoms, but darkness
and the absence Of boats prevented
this. All night long homeless peo-
pie were being sought and cared
for. Few of the business houses
have escaped heavy damage or de-
struction, but hundreds OF poor
people lost everything, being home
less and without money and al
most naked. More than fifty houses
are known to have been destroy ed,
while almost every residence in
the city is damaged. Since the
water receded many adobe houses
have fallen in and many others
must be abandoned. Six bodies
were taken out and identified as
members of the Duran family.
Other bodies are reported to have
been seen, but owing to the treach-
erous nature Of the ground they
cannot be reached. The destructive
waters spread over the entire city
and carried death everywhere.
Many are missing. Another victim
has since been added to the death
list, an infant son of ii. Baca hav-
ing just died from the effects Of the
water, having been rescued when
almost drowned. Reports are COM
ing from towns north and south Of
here of heavy losses. For twelve
miles south destruction Of proper
w was terrible. Farmhouses and
crops were entirely swept away.
The Santa Fe track was washed
out between here and San Antonio
in several places. The branch road
from this city to Magdalena is
practically destroyed for ten miles
out, five bridges and several miles
of track being down. A large por-
ton OF track on the south side OF
this city, running east and west,
was taken up and turned north
and south.
The names of the recovered dead
thus far are: Leander Durane,
Celia Durane, Thomas Durane,
Durane, - Durane. A
child OF H. Baca.
Only two members Of the Durane
family are alive. No estimate OF
the loss can be made, but 1t Is
more than $l,OOO,0OO. Among the
heaviest losers are: M. E. Baca,
q. P. Brown, H. E. Smith, A. ID.
Coon, c. S. Perling, ]. B. Hilton, +.
Kalsonstein, J. W. Tory, A. 5. By
erts, A. Torres, E. E. Void, Elias
Baca, Mrs. Lepa. /
Hundreds of farmers have lost
their houses, crops, fences and
stock and in many cases the farms
have been rendered unfit for culti-
walton. The citizens of Socorro met
at the court house and a relief
committee was appointed. The
committee was at once put to work
huk tho daYnauda aOon outran the '