The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-09
NOT OVER FIFTY DROWNED
But 4, 500 Texas Flood sufferers Must
be Fed by Charity.

Austin, Texas, July S.-Governor Sayers
stated tonight to an Associated Press cor
respondent that, judging from all the re-
ports he had received officially from the
flooded district, there had been great loss
of property, both personal and corporate
that hundreds Of people had been bereft
of their homes and belongings, and that
at present there were in the neighoor-
hood of 4, 500 people, the majority OF them
being negroes, who were dependent en-
tirely upon public charity for sustenance.
The sufferings of waterbOund refugees
have been very great. The governor
figures that the loss Of life has been COM
parativeiy small, not exceeding htty per-
sons. The heaviest farming losses VIII
fall upon the owners of the big plantations
in the bottom, who have lost all their
crops and much OF their personal prop
erty and are not being protected In the
distribution of charity, which Is being ex-
pended only among the poor. Up to to-
night Governor Sayers has received $780,
900 In money contributions from this state
and from the east. In addition thereto
he has sent out several car loads OF gro
ceries which have been donated by differ
ent cities OF the state. The situation Is
being we'll handled Low, everything nav
ing got down to systematic precision, and
the governor stated tonight that by to-
morrow every hungry mouth in Texas
would be looked after. The waters are
fast subsidlng and Governor SayerS Is
confident that he will be able to care for
the poor Of the state for at least week.
after which time they can secure employ
ment in the flood-wrecked valley.
St. Louis, Mo-, July S.-A special to the
Post-Dispatch from Dallas, Teas, says:
Governor Sayers in a talk over the long
distance telephone from Austin, requests
the press to state that in addition to
money, all character Of clohing and pro-
visions are needed in the food district.
He suggests that parties contributing
such articles Communicate with him be-
fore shipments are made, in order that IN
teiligent distribution may be had, There
are from 1890 to 100000 persons needing re-
lief. About 100000 in money and supplies
nave been contributed but many times
that mucsl more is needed. Reports re-
ceived in Dallas at noon from Denison'
Paris, Tearkana and other places on the
Red river state that rain has been pour
ing In torrents for the last five hours with
no prospects OF stopping. 1t Is feared
that a flood in Red river 1lay return. A
telegram received today from Julih, IN
Fort Bend county, says that. 600 persons
are In danger of drowning at that place.
: st. Louis, Mo-, july S.-A special to the
Republic from Denison. Teas, says: The
Houston and Texas Central officials state
that the road between Calvert and Hearne
will have to be virtually rebuilt, owing to
the flood, and that the cost will not be
less than $4,000.
New York, July S-The National Enam-
cling and Stamping company, through its
president, ex-Congressman F. G. Neid-
ringhaus. today mailed to Governor Say
ers, of Texas, check for $1,000 for the
relief of the flood sufferers.
st. Louis, Mo-, July S.-A special to the
Republic from Caldwell, Texas, says: Es-
Inmates made by competent cotton buyers
as 10 the loss resulting from damage to
the cotton crop in the Brazos district,
badly tax the credulity Of persons not IA
miliar with the flood conditions. Not less
land has been flooded. Every acre Of It
would have produced a big bale. Basing
the loss on 5 cent figures, the crop de-
stroyed on these plantations was worth
at least $1,000 600. Well informed persons
ara OF the opinion that this unprecedent-
ed rise in the Brazos has cost the people
Of Texas little less than S10000.0OO. Thous-
ands OF mules have been drowned. and
domestic animals have persisted. rented
houses and negro quarters have been
swept away. the gins are nearly all ruined
and hundreds OF plantation stores, carry
ing big stocks OF general merchandise
are under water. Not a bridge has es-
capped and not a train has passed over the
Santa Fe railroad between Brennan and
AIilano for week