The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-06
BRAZoS WILEY FLOOD
ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF THE RE-
CENT DISASTER IN TEXAS.
Water Ten Feet Higher than In 1885
400 Negroes Huddled on Mound
Flood in Kansas.

GALVESTON, Tex, July 5.-The Texas
flood situation results from four days
steady rain, beginning June Is, which at
some points partook of the nature of cloud
bursts. In some cases the rainfall was two
inches and at several places 1t was reported
as eight inches. These heavy rainfalls
caused rivers to overflow, in some cases
reaching the highest points known. In
the central part of the State the flood
reached its height Saturday and Sunday.
The Brazos river at Waco flooded part of
the town. but there was no loss of life.
At Hearne and Navasota the same was
true. The Brazos valley at Calvert, Rob-
ertson county, was flooded so suddenly that
plantation hands could not reach high
ground. Reports were circulated that fif-
ty people were drowned. AS the waters re-
cede near Calvert the facts are found to be
that fourteen lives were lost, All of the
victims were negroes except one. Many
head of cattle were drowned.
On Monday the railroads in the central
part of the State were in fair condition
All roads were resuming through traffic
when. on Tuesday. the floods reached the
southern part of the State. Tonight the
flood condition in the lower Brazos valley
at Brookshire, Wallis. Richmond. Rosen-
berg, Thompson, Duke. Arcola, Fulshear
Chenango and Columbia is very bad. Wallis
reports the Brazos is ten feet higher than
in 1885. Backwater within one mile and a
quarter of the town is ten feet deep. The
San Antonio & Arkansas Pass bridge at
Wallis Is two feet under water. The South
ern Pacific, west Of Houston, is washed out
near Rosenberg and Richmond. The Santa
Fe Is washed out near Thompson. 1t Is
feared when the rise now at Wallis gets
to Rosenberg and Thompson the conse-
quences will be serious. At s o'clock to-
night the river is rapidly rising at Thomp-
son. The international & Great Northern
is open north and will be open TO San An
tonic tomorrow. All communication from
Galveston and Houston via the Sante Fe,
Galveston, Houston G. San Antonio. the
Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroads is
cut off. The only lines open are the Texas
& New Orleans, the Houston, East &
Northern and the Kansas City. Pittsburg
& Gulf.
The little town of Brookshire, in Waller
county, where the Missouri, Kansas &
Texas Railroad crosses the BRACES river.
is surrounded by water. Many hands were
caught in trees. Those driven out OF the
fed. The citizens of Brookshire appealed
to Governor Sayers for help. Governor
Savers appealed to the citizens of Hous-
ton. Galveston and San Antonio. The first
carload of provisions was sent from Hous-
ton this morning. Two carloads Of pro-
visions were sent from Galveston. Many
contributions were sent freely. Rumors
were current that many lives were lost at
Brookshire, but there is only positive infor-
nation that two lives have been lost Con-
gresham Hawley has wired Governor Say
ers to ask the secretary of war for author
ity to send boats from Galveston up the
BraZoS river to rescue the people caught
in the flood. Boats have already been sent
from Houston. Others have been made on
the scene of the flood. One fact which
tends to dscredit heavy loss of life In
the lower Brazos valley is that the plant
ers knew the flood was coming and had time
to warn their hands. Outside of the dis
asters at Calvert and Brookshre there
have been about six drownings during the
past week at different points in central and
southern Texas due to the floods.
The News correspondent at Sealey has
just returned from the BRACES river. He
reports 400 negroes, destitute and home-
less, huddled on a mound. The people or
San Felipe have reached the limit OF their
ability in assisting them and appeal for out
side aid. Bacon and meal are needed. A
negro who recklessly attempted to swim
his horse across the river, was drowned.
The Gulf Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad
sent relief train to Thompson this aft
ernoon TO rescue a party sent out on a
work train to sandbag the bridge. The
people of Thompson were also invited to
come away. The train returned to the
city tonight after accomplishing Its mis-
sion.