New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-06
THE FLOODS IN TEXAS.
WATER STILL RISING IN THE LOWER
BRAZOS VALLEY.
EXAGGERATED REPORTS OF LOSS OF LIFE
RAILROADS SUFFER HEAVILY-AP-
PFATS FOR RELIEF
PEALS FOR RELIEF.

Galveston Tex July 5.-The Texas food
situation is the result Of four days OF steady
rain. beginning on June 26. which at some
ponts partook Of the nature Of cloudbursts In
some cases the rainfall was twenty inches. and
at several places II reported as eight
inches These heavy ranfalls caused rivers 10
overflow. in some places reaching the hlghest
points known In the central part Of the state
the food reached it's height Saturday and sun
day The Brazos River at Waco flooded part
OF the town but there was no loss OF llie' Al
Hearne and Navasota the same was true. Inc
Brazos Valley at Calvert. Robertson county
was flooded so suddenly that plantation hanos
could not reach high ground. Reports were c'r-
culated that fifty people were drowned. AS
the waters recede near Calvert. the facts are
found to he that fourteen lives were lost. All
the victims were negroes. except one. Many
cattle were drowned on Monday the rail-
roads in the central part Of the state were IN
fair condition All roads were resumlhs
through traffic when, on Tuesday. the noods
reached the southern part Of the state
Tonight the food situation in the lower
Rrazos Valley AT Brookshire Wallis. Richmond
Rosenberg Thompson Duke Arcola Fuishear
Chenango and Columbia is very bad "alhs
reports that the Brazos is ten feet higher thah
in 1885. Backwater, within one and quarter
miles OF the town is ten feet deep. The san
Antonio and Aransas Pass bridge at WaIhs Is
two feet under water. The Southern Pacific
road west Of Houston is washed out near
Rosenberg and Richmond. The Santa re is
washed out near Thompson. It is feared that
when the rise now at Wallis gets TO Rosenberg
and Thomson the consequences will be serious
At : O'Clock tonight the river is rapidly rising
at THOMPSON The Columbia tap road is washed
out The International and Great Northern Is
open north and will be open TO San Antonio To-
morrow.
MANY RAILROADS TIED Up.
All communication from Galveston and Hous-
ton via the Santa Fe the Galveston. Houston
and San Antonio. the San Antonio and Arkansas
Pass and the Missouri. Kansas and Texas rail-
roads is cut off The only lines open are the
Texas and New Orleans the Houston. East ana
West Texas. the International and Great North
ern and the Kansas City. Pittsburg and Gulr-
The little town OF BroOkshire. in Waller County.
where the Missouri Kansas and Texas Railroad
crosses the Brazos River. is surrounded by
water Many persons were caught In trees
Those driven out OF the valley focked TO the
town and are being fed The citizens OF BrooK-
shire appealed 10 Governor sayers for help. ana
the Governor appealed TO the people OF HOUSTON
Galveston and San Antonio. The first carload OF
provisions was sent from Houston this morning
Two carloads Of provisions were sent from Cal
weston.
Rumors were current that many lives were
lost AT Brookshire but The News has positive
information that only two lives have been lost.
CONGRESSMAN Hawley has telegraphed TO Gov
ernnr Savers 10 ask the Secretary Of war LOT
authority 10 send boats from Galveston up the
Rrazos River 10 rescue people caught in the
food Boats have already been sent from hous-
ton.
One fact which seems TO discredit reports o,
heavy loss Of life in the lower Brazos Nahey Is
that the planters knew the food was coming
and had time 70 warn their hands. Outside Of
the disasters at Calvert and Brookshire. there
have been about six drownings In the last week
at different points In Central ana southern
Texas, due 70 the floods
RAINS HELP THE CROPS.
The News" will not attempt to give an esti-
mate as 10 the crop damage. but believes the
rains have done more good than harm. Crops
outside the flooded districts are in fine condi-
ton. The waters recede rapidly and the crops
will not he a total loss in the flooded districts
Many localities will replant cotton and nave
time 10 make a crop. The railroads are heavy
sufferers as many miles Of track have been
washed out and bridges either demolished or
badly damaged Not single dig IRON runway
bridge Is down
The News's" correspondent al Sealey mas
lust returned from the BraZos River. he re-
ports four hundred negroes destitute and home
less huddled on a mound. The people Of san
Felipe have reached the limit OF their ability IN
assisting them. and appeal for outside aid
Bacon and meal are needed. negro VINO reCk-
lessly attempted 10 swim his horse across the
river was drowned. The Gulf. Colorado and
Santa r. Railroad sent relief train 70 Thomp-
son this afternoon 20 rescue party sent out
or work train 10 sandbag the bridge. The
people OF Thompson also were invited 10 come