The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1899-07-14
MANY ARE STARVING.
FEARFUL CONDITIONS CAUSED
BY TEXAS FLOODS.
People ofthc Brazos ALLEY Face Death
by Famine and F1ood-Eu1iy Three
Hundred Negroes arc known to
Have Pcrished.

The total number of lives known II:
have been lost in the Brazos and Colo.
RADIO river foods that are spread over {.
great area of central and southern Texas
is fully 800. There are unauthenticated
reports of many more cases of drowning.
Nearly all of the victims were negroes,
VINO refused to heed the warning of the
Impending overflow and seek higher
ground.
In burlesen County party of twenty
Two "ater-oound negro men, women and
cniluren were rescued from tree tops,
Whefe they had been stationed for two
days. They We're in Il famished condition.
lhe water is subsding along the upper
source of the Brazos, but is still rising
near the gulf. 1t is now many feet above
the highest water mark ever known. In
Waller County there is great destitution
among the sufferers and appeals have
been sent to the mayors of all the larger
cities OF the State for aid in the way Of
clothing and food. Through railroad traf-
nc on ali the principal roads of the State
is stu suspended. Gov. Saycrs received
d telegram signed by a committee of citi-
Zens or f'ulshear, Fort Bend County, say
ing that thousands Of people in that coun-
ly are starving and appealing for immedi-
ate aid
twenty-five counties are submerged to
greater or less extent, and thousands of
acres of cotton lands are under water.
ne loss of cotton yield is estimated at
from 10000 to 10000 bales in each coun-
", entalllng monetary loss of fully $S,-
ooo'ooo. 1t is estimated that the damage
10 other property, including loss of live
stock' VIII approximate $7,O0O,00O max
ing a total due to the floods of S15.OOO.-
0O0
Terrible stories OF destitution and dis
tress, of hunger and death, to come in
from the tlood-swcpt belt. In the Brazos
river bottom near Brookshire, a station on
the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway.
thirty eight miles from Houston, comes
an appalling account. The meager dis
patches received from there state that in
the braZos bottom men, women and chill
oren are lodged in trees and are dying
from munger and exhaustion. Hundreds
or people, mostly negroes, are the victims.
Around Brookshire people are huddled
IKE sheep on little knolls and in other
places OF temporary safety.
n report received at Fort Worth by tel
ephone from south Texas flood points
gives additional appalling accounts Of the
disaster fraught by the unprecedented
flooding of the Brazos river Fully 200
lives have been lost near Sealey, at a
point called The Mound The spot is a
small upland entirely surrounded by the
raging waters extending three or four
miles in all directions. On this spot We're
congrcgated 800 negroes The waters
seemed to be closing in on them, with no
avenue Oh escape. On another small
patch OF ground, out in the river, near
Brookshlre, was another bunch of 400
negroes, who We're in danger of being
swept away. The situation, the dispatches
say, Is friGhtful and people are panic
stricken and unable to lena the unfortu-
nate ones succor Of any kind. From indi-
cations the loss of life will reach 800 un-
less imprisoned negroes are given assist.
ance.
Reports received from Calvert and
Brookshire, 100 miles down the river
from Calvert, portray a fearful state of
desolation and suffering, particularly
among the plantation negroes hemmed in
by the raging torrents. The river is seven
feet higher than ever before, and the LASH
Ing, leaplng waters cover an eXpanse OF
more than five miles. Plantations along
the river, near Hearne, are all under wat
er and crops practically ruined 1t has
rained continuously for eight days
throughout the flooded districts, the great
est rainfall since 1912. when similar dis
aster befcll the people along the Brazos
river and hundreds were drowned.
The War Department has granted the
Of the Governor of Texas for aid
for food sufferers. Such Government
boats as are available will be placed at
the disposition Of the Governor. and the
ratlons asked will be issued at once