The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-08-01
HUGE WAVES OF WATER.
RUSH DOWN UPoN~THE PEOPLE OF
SOCORRO.
Scene of Desolation, Death and
Ruin the ResuIt-LOss of Proper
ty May Reach $1,OOO,OOO.

DENVER, July 31.-A News special
from Socorro, n. M, says: A tremen-
dous roaring startled the people of
Socorro yesterday afternoon about
o'clock. Shortly after huge waves of
water came rushing down the arroyo
which drains the eastern slope of the
Magdalena mountains and almost en-
circles the town. At first it was hoped
that the flood would be 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 women and children mingled
with the crashing of falling houses and
dying walls of souls swept into eter-
nifty.
Came in Waves.
The water came in waves, each sue
ceeding one apparently higher than the
others. Portions of houses, household
furniture, baby carriages, stoves and
farming implements, mingled with
huge boulders, railroad ties and bridge
timbers, all being borne through the
streets of the city by the madly rush
ing waters. For two hours the work
of destruction continued, the horror be-
ing increased by vivid lightning, crash
lis anu Dll1Q4ll5 lain.
Gradually the water subsidized Suf
ficiently to allow partial inspection of
the destruction. Only two bodies were
taken from the cruel waters before
dark, mother and her child. An at
tempt was made to reach the people
living in the river bottom, but dark
ness and the absence of boats pre-
vented success. All night long home
less people were being brought in and
cared for.
Scene OF DesOIatiOn.
This morning a scene of desolation
was presented. A majority of the
damage or destruction but hundreds
of the poorer people have lost every
thing, being homeless, penniless and
almost naked. More than fifty houses
are known to have been destroyed,
while almost every residence in the
city is damaged. Since the water has
receded many adobe houses have fall
len and many others must be aban-
doned. The two bodies recovered last
night have been identified as members
of the Duran family, seven Of whom
are missing. -Four more bodies eere
taken out this morning and identified
as Durans, making six recovered.
Other bodies are reported as being seen
but owing 10 the treacherous nature
OF the ground they cannot yet be
reached. The destructive waters
spread over. the entire city and car
RED death everywhere. Many are se-
ported missing. Another victim has
since been added to the death list. fn
infant son of E. Baca having just died
from the effects of the water, having
been rescued when almost drowned.
Destruction Terrible.
REPORTS coming from towns north
and south of here tell of heavy losses
For twelve miles south the destruction
OF property was terrible, farm houses
and crops being entirely swept away.
Inc Atchlson, Topeka & Santa Fe
track was taken out between here and
San Antonio in several places The
branch road from this city to Magda-
lena is practically destroyed for ten
miles out, five bridges being gone and
several miles of track. A large sec
ton of track on the south side of the
city, running east and west, was taken
up by angry waters and turned north
and south.
The names of the dead thus far re-
covered are:
Leandro Duran.
Celia Duran
Tomas Duran
J. B. Duran.
- Duran.
- Duran.
Child of Z. Baca.
Two members of the Duran family
are alive
No estimate of the loss can yet be
made, but it is more than 1000, OOO
Among the heaviest losers are Mayer
Estovan Baca, C. T. Brown, j. z.
Smith, A. D. Coon, c. Sperling, ]. H
Hilton, Z. Katzenstein, J. w. Terry.
A. II. Byerts. Canuito Torres. E. F.
Void, Eliza Baca. Mrs. Lophal.
Lose Their All.
Hundreds of farmers have lost their
farm houses, crops, fences and stock
and in many cases the farms have
been rendered unfit for cultivation.
This afternoon the citizens of Socor-
70 met at the court house, and a re-
lief committee was appointed. The
work of relief was at once commenced,
but the demands soon outgrew the re-
sources. as every citizen has suffered
loss The number of persons thus
suddenly forced upon charity cannot
now be estimated
It is raining in the mountains again
tonight and great fears are entertained
as to the safety of the remainder of
the city Reports of damage continue
to come in. 1t is reported three small
towns south of here were totally de-
or