The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-11
Is Now Located in Brazoria County and the
Whole Country Is Inundated.
THE OYSTER CREEK PLANTATIONS ARE RUINED
Eight Negroes Hundreds Whites De- tite
Terminal Has Greatly Damaged
Many Cattle Drowned-WorE of Rescue Continues

Angleton, Texas. July 1o.--The water
has receded about an inch today, but there
are very few dry spots OF land west OF
Austin bayou which is fifteen miles from
the Brazos. The water is from two &c
three feet deep all over the prairie and
the valleys are from Ave to fifteen feet un-
der water. Every plantation along Oyster
creek, the richest agricultural district tn
swept away by thousands. About 5000
negroes living along Oyster creek and
Bernard bottoms have lost everything,
and hundreds of white families are In the
same condition.
The first relief goods arrived last night
from Flores bayou across the prairie. but
the supply was inadequate for the needs OF
the day. The goods were loaded into boats
here and sent into the oyster creek coun-
try. where the negroes are assembled in
houses, packed like sardines in box, A
list prepared by the relief committee shows
that there are about 500 negroes at Che
mango Junction and on Oyster creek below
that point to feed and care for.
At chenango there are 300 or 400 more
huddled together in box cars and old build
ings. Vessels have assembled the river TO-
day, carrying provisions and rescuing the
people. The tug Annie rescued sixty peo-
Pile between Brazoria and Columbia, and
left there at noon to meet 100 people who
were known TO be at different points
They will be taken to Brazoria and cared
for.
The Terminal railroad track from Che
mango Junction to velasco is badly
wrecked; much OF the grade has been
washed away. and the heavy steel rails
bent, twisted and even carried away by the
tremendous force of the Hood. The rail-
road grades banked up the water two or
came through like the booming food of
Niagara rushing through the country with
a two-foot bead.
Comparatively few lives have been los
along Oyster creek, though many would
have persisted but for the relief crews
sent out from Angleton. One negro wo-
man, six children and two puppies were
rescued through the roof of a cabin which
was already aloat Two negro men who
had taken refuge on the limb of Tree
were rescued just in the nick OF time; the
limb had broken and they were in qfteen
feet of water and yelling for dear l'fe
which attracted the attention of colonel
J. L. Bates crew which came TO heir re-
lief
". NJ. Weyant, Jr., OF Amsterdam, with
his son, splendid boat aud a noble crew
was one OF the first to arrive from the out
side. He came over the prairie and i'm
mediatey went into the Oyster creek
country and rescued scores OF negroes.
whom he took to gin house they were all
destitute and hungry; he returned TO An
gleton and left this morning with a load
of supplies for them. He reported 1877 OF
them in one gin house,
All -four. bacon and meal in Angleton
was exhausted yesterday. hence aid can
not be furnished from this point except
as 1t arrives from the outside. Six boats
left here this morning for Flores bayou
TO meet supplies sent by team from Alvin.
but have not yet returned. 1t is a tedious
trip across the prairie, as the water is
shallow in places. with swift currents to
pull against. They will arrive tonight
and the supplies Immediately be sent out
by fresh crews.
All business has BEEN suspended for
three days and all classes of people are de-
voting their energies to the relief of the
people of the valleys. There is hardly a
man in this town who has not been in
water good portion OF his time since Fri
day night. Men who are unaccustomed to
labor have pulled oars until there is no
skin on the palms Of their hands and who
have not had dry clothing on for three
Consultation