The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-07
LOSS OF LIFE NOT GREAT
PREVIOUS REPORTS FROM THE
TEXAS FLOODS EXAGGERATED.
Few People Drowned, but Many in the
Braxos Valley Made Homeless
Relief from the Government.

GALVESTON, Tex, July 6.-Reports
from special correspondent of the News
indicate that while the property loss by
the recent floods has been enormous, the
loss of life has been greatly exaggerated.
According to the News only two lives have
been lost in the lower Brazos floods. Every
year the Brazos and Colorado valleys suffer
from foundations. Up to the present flood
the greatest destruction from the annual
foundations was in 1885, This year the high
water mark of 1856 has been surpassed in
Washington, Waller. Austin. Fort Bend and
Brazoria counties, in southern Texas.
The Brazos is falling rapidly in the GEN.
tral part of the State, the scene of last
weeks flood. The flood reached the south
ern part of the State Sunday night and
Monday. The planters had received ample
warning, but many negroes remained in the
Brazos valley, believing the water would
not rise higher than in 1885. From 500 to
1000 colored people were caught in the val
ley in Austin, Waller and Fort Bend coun-
ties and were forced to take to the trees and
housetops. An appeal was made to Houston
for boats, but Houston had sent all boats
available farther up the river last week TO
Calvert and Bryan. Governor Sayers, at
the suggestion of Congressman Hawley, APP
pealed TO the War Department for permits
sion to send government life saving boats
from Galveston. Permission was granted
and a special train left this afternoon for
the flooded district carrying several gov
ernment and a number of private boats.
Its Is believed that nearly all the people
lodged in trees and on housetops have been
rescued, but the boats sent from Calves
ton to-day will patrol the flooded district
and make thorough search for stragglers.
A very good indication that the people have
been rescued is the fact that special re-
lief party started out from Brookshire
Tuesday night and patrolled the river all
night, but found no one to rescue So far
as is known but two lives have been lost in
the lower Brazos flood.
The War Department has authorized Gov
ernor Sayers to distribute ten thousand army
rations among the food sufferers, the rations
to be furnished the Governor from San An
tonic; These rations will be distributed at
Thompson. Dunke, Arcoa, Fulshear. Che
mango, Columbia, Velasco, Nayasota, CAL
vert, Hearne, Bryan and Brennan. In adj
dition to the War Department rations Hous-
ton and Galveston have sent several carloads
of groceries into the flood district 1t is
believed there is now food enough In transit
to feed the negroes until the waters recede
and they can return to plantation work.
AS 10 crops, cotton is not lost 1t Is en-
tirely washed out in some places, but on the
whole more good than harm has been done
by the flood to crops. Cotton crops will
be repanted In most cases. Corn has soured
in some localities. but the crop is not an en-
tire loss. Those who are looking for big
decrease In the Texas cotton crop because
of floods in ten out of $50 organized coun-
ties in the State, and not a few unorganized
counties, will be disappointed. There Is
plenty Of time to raise cotton before jan
The next trouble will be at Velasco the
mouth Of the Brazos, which point the floods
reached to-day. The town may be cut on
from communication with the world for a
day or two, but no loss of life is antici-
pated, because the people had two days no.
tice that the flood had broken loose above
and was coming down. The revenue cutter
Galveston left here tonight for Velasco 10
rescue those really in danger at that point.
The sending OF government boats to the
flooded district was advisable, although 1t
is believed nearly every person In danger
has been rescued. The donation OF the
war rations was most timely, as several
thousands homeless negroes will have to
be fed for ten days. The flood situation is
now we'll in hand. The destitute will be fed
and gwen work on railways until the flood
will permit them to return to their homes.
valley flood districts reveal no additional
loss of life. The Brazos Is rising now only
near it's mouth. For one hundred miles in
land the river is about at a standstill and
beyond the two-hundred-mile radius Is fall
ing rapidly. Boats sent to the valley have
gathered up refugees Four hundred negroes
are housed tonight in box cars at Duke.
The distribution Of rations Is rapidly as
Stunning system and there would seem to
be no reason for further suffering. Graphic
lilies.
A special from Calvert reports the waters
In the BraZos bottoms but little lower than
yesterday and there is great deal of stress
and restitution among colored refugees
there. Judge Banks had called precinct meet
ings for Monday to make temporary provi-
sion for the sufferers. More money and pro-
visions were sent from Calvert to-day. One
aged negro was drowned while attempting
to rescue two children who pulled him under
with themselves