The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-05
HAD No WARNING.
Thc Flood Caught the People En-
tlrclN. lmnrennred.

| Omaha, ILL.,, left the scene of the flood half
| an hour before the dyke broke. His
brother-in-law, Sheriff Galloway OF Gala
! tin county, whose home was in Shawnee
| town, had the same good fortune. The
| sherlff's wife and two daughters were
swept away and their bodies have not yet
been recovered.
| Hogan's story o. the flood shows that
| the people had no warning OF the dis
aster.
About o'clock last evening" said he,
the levee on the north side of the town
gave way at the north end OF Market street
near the court house. An opening ten feet
wide was at first made but it quickly
spread to thirty, and a wall Of water ten
or fifteen feet high poured through the
main streets. sweeping everything before
it. About fifty small frame houses along
the line of the levee to the south were
crushed like toys, and none of the occu-
pants nest Of whom were poor colcrel
people. escaped. Those living in the more
substantial houses managed TO climb to seq
ond aud third stories, where they clunS tor
hours through the chilly night. Houses In
the western part OF town did not at once
feel the effect OF the flood, and the resi-
dents made hasty steps Tor safety. mes. o.
them fleeing to the top OF the levee ON the
south side of town. A large number also
reached the hills. which are mile from
tho town. and from there saw their prop
erty crumhle in the muddy waters. When
daylight came this morning the streets
were fun OF water 10 depth of ten or
twelve feet only the most sIibstapt al
! buildings In the central business district
remain standing. Water is everywhere,
and the relief work is being carried on
under great difficulties"
Rideeway is twelve miles from Shawnee
town and was made the base of relief
work A rail communication being cut off
four miles out. boats were constructed and
committee started 10 the scene. They
reached Cypress Junction, half way TO
Shawneetown, and found dry land extanid-
ing towards the river. Following this they
arrived within two miles OF the flooded
town. More boats werc started, and the
rescuers crossed 10 Shawneetown
They found sad condition existing in
the Inflated town. Hundreds OF those who
escaped he rush of water were pcrched on
roofs. trees and along the TOP of the Law g
They were taken from their dangerous po-
sitlons as rapidly as possible. owing to
the scarcity Of boats the work was very
slow bur over 200 parsons, including many
women and children, were taken TO the
roadway two miles from ShawneetoNn, ana
TO Cypress Junction Hare the greater part
Of lnell are loUlSHi, WIN iii'it ~ va ~
e4 posed to the driving and piercing wind
cypress Junction Is almost surrounded
By water, which has overlooked the banks
OF the Wabash and is covering the entire |
country. This overflow from the broken |
dyke at Shawueetown has backed up Two
miles inland, hut tonight is slowly reced
ing.
Ii will he impossible to recover any |
bodies until the waters recede very matt |
rally. In fact the rescuers are making |
very little effort In that direction, but are |
working TO save those who escaped awe
The Riverside hotel and The court mouse I
and the Ridgeway bank are intact ana WIRE |
found to have been used by the fleeing
inhabitants for shelter. The upper stories |
we're crowded Several hundred people
were promenading on the top of the ioVee
sunday afternoon Sunday schools had Just |
closed and the children trooped merrliy
along the smooth walk, enjoying the prlsnt
sunshine This proved a blessing to them.
large crowd had just passed Market
street when the break occurred, Luckily
no nne was passing there just at the mo-
ment. The railroad station at Ridgeway
has been crowded all day and despite the
steady downpour OF rain the people clus-
tered about the place, each anNiously IN
ouiring for some new tidings from shaW-
neetcwp.
Mrs. Harriet Dumont was one OF tho ar
rivals tonight from the flooded district, |
Mrs. Dumont, in company with a friend
was Walking along the levee at the time
the break occurred. She said IT WAS
about APPS o'clock in the afternoon, wheh
NE were suddenly startled by hearing Inc
bells OF the different churches throughout
The city clanging People began running IN
all directions and somebody shouted thAt
TIE leyee had broken. We ran three blocks
10 my friends hcme and went upstairs. Il
Within ten minutes the water came pour-
ing down the street and within twenty
minutes more II had risen almost to me
second floor OF our house. MY frienas
husband soon came with skin and teoA
MS 10 the Riverside hotel. The first alarm
WINS given by Father buchanan. who began
ringing the bell of the Church OF the I'M
maculate Conception -, =. ~
TIE lower portion Of Carmi. H. IN me
wabash river bottom. Is entirely ilooaen,
TIE water reaches half way TO the second
story OF the houses. The water IS ieNei
with the floor OF the iron rod bridge, out
frat at the railroad bridge is siiii two reef
above, -, ~. aho,,,
mile ncrth Of Carmi. the track Is nut npe
foot above water for a quarter OF mile
Il 1850 4