Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-08-08
TOWN SWEPT BY HUGE WAVES
Property Destroyed and a
Number of Lives Lost.
SIX FROM ONE FAMILY DROWNED
Three Other Small Towns
Totally Wiped Out.


Denver, Col, Aug. la News
special form Socorro, N. M, SAYS:
A tremendous roaring startled tho
people OF Socorro Tuesday afternoon
about 4 o'clock. Shortly after huge
waves Of water came rushing down an
arroyo which drains the eastern slope.
OF the Magdalena mountains and almost
encircled the town. Soon three feet of
water began to rush through the prin-
cipal street.
The water came in waves, each sue
ceeding one being apparently higher
than the others. Portions Of houses,
household goods, carriages, stoves and
farm implements were mingled with
huge boulders, railroad ties and bridge
timbers. All were born through tho
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 suffici-
entity to allow a partial inspection Of
the destruction. Only two dead bodies
were taken from the waters before
dark, a mother and her child. An at
tempt was made to reach the people
living in the river bottoms, but dark
ness and the absence Of boats prevented
success All night long homeless peo-
pie were being brought in and cared
for.
Yesterday morning scene Of desola.
tion was presented A majority OF the
business houses had escaped heavy
| damage of destruction but hundreds Of
poor people lost everything, being
homeless and without money and al
most naked More than so houses are
known to have been destroyed, while
almost every residence in the city is
damaged. Since the water has receded,
many houses have fallen in and many
others must be abandoned.
The two bodies recovered Tuesday
night were identified as those of mem
bers of the Durane family. -Four more
bodies were taken out yesterday morn
ing and identified as Durane's, making
six recovered. Only two members Of
the Durane family are alive. Other
bodies are reported as having been seen,
but owing TO the treacherous nature Of
the ground they cannot be reached.
The destructive waters spread over
the entire city and carried death every
where. Many are missing Another
| victim has been added to the list, an
infant son Of II. Baca having died from
the effects of the water, having been
rescued when almost drowned.
heports are coming from towns north
anu an souln OF mere OF heavy losses. For
~ miles south' obstruction OF property
was terriplei Farm houses and crops
Were ehtlrey swept away Railroad
TRACKS ana pridges are washed away.
No estlhate OF the money loss can DO
IN s,a oo6 o Dut u Is salo 10 De more than
Sl,VoV,ouv. hundreds OF farmers nave
lost tneir houses, crops, FENCES and
slochi ana IN many cases the farms
nave oeen re9uereu uh1t ior cultiva-
tlon. a rellei committee mas neen ap-
porn.eu.
| heRDrts vi aannage continue 10 come
III. Inree small towns south OF mere
w9 no soesiiy ~ aestr0yeu ,.N,
DenSeI, oo,', aug. "A news
sPec,ai from alperquerque, says ais,
paten iIonl oocorro says t1at up 10 l
cloch tnis morning, 10 poules OF per-
sois VINO were s.ricken Gown py tne
covared ""'e'' "''o' nave lug" 10
TERRIBLE pEso14r,oN
Rufralo W. Az M s..i.
t;an na,,sad H., a. az ~ yr. VIZ ussoie-
s srU tcrr Nj iioG m "ounesiay Is
m;m ~ ;rt s''a ne ui1uuourss
the I'll citv p mar ~ Steusn eo sou ar" q
rno t ,oi Ie ~ ST., 9teren r1,nh d rancn.
nS2 ma si1 IL ~ GU, ausneu Town .ne
nnouaomad sii ;ts M Giear cresk, wnicn
V th;nr has,ra y; '" SThe' uarIying every
t ~ , D't ha,, ~ ne reeS gu. into
~ .ue sun ~ pan S,ns Oh an ealire
wy l1'' WI ". w uouse 9"nea anu oc-
t;rp ' 'I Ianl." ~ wt.n Us , IN
Try y1ni ;eht BBrFe .w9-stUry uui 4,l
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