The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-29

Ell PASO. Tex. Nay A--Ovef - TAM
files. or 2.o00 people, were on the streets
Of Il Paso this mcrnfnB. searching Tor
shelter Their furniture, clothing and
their effects were piled up on the prfn-
cipal thoroughfares Of the city. Last
night the waters continued 70 rise. and
before day dAwned the Aoo6 had reached
that portion Of the city In and around
San Antonio street. where prominent
business and professional men reside.
After II o'clock last night the hood swept
over six more blocks The waters were
fun OF struggling teams. hauling out prop
erty from the flooded houses.
The Texas & Pacific railroad had
thrown up dyke to protect it, track near
fne rounihouse. and this backed the
water UP over San Antonio street, food
ing a number Of houses and threateuing
TO cross the street and food hundreds Of
the prettiest residences In the city. Six
prominent citizens rssisi.ng In the vicinity.
headed by collector Of customs. Capt.
Davis, armed themselves with Winches-
fers. and. crossing over the railroad ievee.
cut the dyke letting the backwater out
and 1t began to recede from San Antonio
street.
A troop OF the Fifth cavalry from Fort
Bliss came down to the city today and al
fered their services to guard the property
OF homeless people which Is piled In the
streets.
The city board OF health met this morn
ing and appointed a committee o. six
leading physicians to take charge OF the
relief hospital now being estabiiahed 1or
the homeless and sick. and the physicians
are taking such to the improvised hospit-
al Col Van Valxzh. of Fort Bliss. loan
ed the city fifty-three tents, and the citi-
xsns committee were out today with
wagons gathering provisions for distrabu-
ton among the destitute. At least go
out OF the $50 families Whose homes are
Under water. are without TIE necessaraeS
OF life. This morning the city council
held a meeting and authorized the mayor
to wire the Texas senator's and repre-
sentatiyes in congress to secure an ap-
preparation Of $40. 900 for relief OF the mood
victims The war department mas also
been appealed to for more tents.
This afternoon the river was at stand
still bat a rise Of one foot IS reported up
the river In New Mexico. The Hood waters
at Ell Paso east cover an area averaging
four sniies long and three-quarters OF q
mile wide flooding not less than 700 homes.
most OF which belong to the poor laborins
classes.
The east side Of Stanton street. from
Overland to Seventh street. " q continu-
Gus pile of ruins. The houses having been
built close together on abode foundations.
were undermined and have tumbled down.
Many people living IN houses where the
water Is up to the doors refuse TO move
out. and these people will have trouble to-
night II the reported rise reaches Ell Paso.
Heavy Raius Swell the Flood.
DENVER, May "a special to the
Republican from Santa Fe says:
Dispatches tonight state that heavy
rains have prevailed for twenty-four
hours over the Rio Grande watershed for
a distance Of $50 miles above Santa Fe.
and the river at Embudo. fifty miles north
of here, has risen twelve inches In the
past twenty-four hours. The swollen
streams south OF Espanola will double
this rise before IL passes Socorro. render
ing the prospects three days hence ex-
tremely gloomy at Ell Paso and Juarex.
All tho low lands in the Rio Grnnde valley
above EspanolA are inundated. Al Arts
ca. opposite Albuquerque. the river cut
through the bank this afternoon and inun-
dated large part OF the town. A large
force OF men was put to work. however.
and before dark the break had been re-
paired.