The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-09
THE WATER FALLING AT SEALY
THREE HUNDRED NEGROES ARE
STILL ON THE MOUND.
A Bc1ntcd Report Tells of the Hor-
ror of the situation "a Few
Days Ago.

Sealy, Texas, July The river has faller
about two feet and is still falling, after
doing thousands of dollars damage. The
Post correspondent visited the mound yes
terday and found about 800 negroes and
quite bunch of stock, but all faring very
well, all things considered. A few weeks
since trip over the same road was made
by the writer, admiring the beautiful
crops; now water varying from four tc
twelve feet deep covers the entire fertile
valley.
The food sufferers are needing pro-
visions and clothing. which will arrive
next week.
Hawley wired from Washington the gov
eminent would furnish rations for 1000
and message from Governor Sayers
stating car OF provisions would arrive
about Monday. Committee to distribute
rations: A. j. Jordon. w. F. Hill. w. j..
Lowe of sealy. Or. Davidson. w. L. Gray,
II. Otter of San Felipe. Contributions
should be sent to the Sealy committee.
Sealy, Texas July b.-(Delayed in Trans
mission. Conditions In the Brazos bot
tom near here are appalling, the whole
valley being completely inundated and
where ten days ago human eye never
looked upon brighter prospects for n cot
ton and corn crops, today 1t is vast sea
of water and as far as the eye can see is
destruction. Houses that were homes of
happy families a few days ago are floating
in water twelve to fourteen feet deep and
one or two have taken their departure for
Velasco inhabited by ducks and chickens.
In nearly every instance the poor farm
ers lost everything they possessed except
a few clothes.
The river is said to be about ten miles
wide at this point, the only dry ground
being what is known as Sand mound on
the plantation of Dr. G.. r. Ross, about
three miles from the river, This mound
consists OF about four acres. and upon it
now are between 400 and 800 negroes and
several head OF stock. Eight or ten boats
handled by willing hands were started In
to roscuing the poor wretches Yesterday
morning. but owing to the distance and
swiftness of the water 1t will require some
time to bring such a large number to |
land
The Post correspondent engaged one OF
the poor old women in conversation soon
after she was landed safely on this side in
regard TO their situation upon the "is-
land and in reply was informed that they
had plenty meat as every porker that was
fnr ri IN IN
unfortunate enough to be slaughtered i'm
medistely.
She said: Law, chile, honey. you never
seed so much singing an a prdyin' In
yer life"
The people have been sending them pro-
visions on returning boats and their con-
dition Is somewhat relieved by now. There
will be great deal OF suffering among
these poor people and while your CORE
spondent Is not authorized by any one
to ask aims, can safely say any contribu-
tions for the flood sufferers sent to Mr..
John Hackbarth, Sealy, Texas, would be ,
gladly received and distributed judiclously !
by that gentleman.
1t is impossible to give close estimate
VI ionsoS VI stoch anu illo AT present, Dut
eb00 bales of cotton and 1000 bushels OF ,
corn will not cover the crop loss. This is ,
the highest and most destructive overflow
ever known here, II being at least twelve
feet higher than the overflow OF 1885. The !
Did Texas Western bridge has gone down, ,
and It is reported the Katy and Santa Fe
bridges are in great danger. !
The river is slowly falling this after 9
noon. The damage done In this section
$ terrible and will take some years to
'ecover. The heavy rains cut the crops
IN so per cent on the prairie and the over
low OF the Brazos has completely wiped &
tut everything in that fertile val
ey and this, coming on top OF such bright
makes it all the harder to G
tand. While every one considers It too I
ate TO replant, a great many will plant,
cotton seed can be secured. as they 6
tand a chance OF making something II
'e do not have an early frost.