davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
THE OVERFLOW in BRAZORIA
EVERYONE WAITED UNTIL LAST
MOMENT TO SEEK SHELTER.
A Number of Destitute Negroes Were
Brought In md Many VIII
Have to BE Fed.

Brazoria, Texas, July 1o--on the 2sth
ultimo there was a downpour of rain At
night with the wind blowing about sixty
knots an hour; the rain continued through
the 27th since which time the Brazls river
has been on q rampage and has been
steadily rising until Saturday morning last
the town was besieged by the fast over
inhabitant said there was no danger. the
waters would soon be at a standstill; but
not so, and on the Sth instant all the old
boats of every description were brought
out and repaired and new ones were built.
Water still rising, whites and blacks wad-
ing through the principal streets OF the
town. Sunday morning, the 9th, the NOV
ing and busting began in earnest, families
moving out in wagons, boats and boxes.
Boats of all conceivable shapes and makes
men and women on horseback splashing
through the swollen waters, some of the
colored women riding sidewise and other
wise. BY noon two or three dozen families
of whites were in high and dry quarters in
the court house and in a short time Cap
tain Aim. with his life boat and gallant
crew from Velasco, also Lieutenant s. Is.
Edmonds from the revenue cutter, came In
loaded down with negroes picked up from
the waters on their way here. The negroes
were given the school building as a camp
ing place for the present. Waters still
rising and all are here, having lost no
lives, thanks to the pluck and energy Of
the home crew and the assistance Of the
noble crews OF the life boat and revenue
cutter. Negroes need ratiCns and mus
have help. The whites are doing the best
they can under the circumstances.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
POSTMASTERS in CONVENTION
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
what They Were There Fer.
Answer Not Given.

Waco. Texas. July lathe postmasters
Of Texas met here today in convention for
the purpose OF organizing State asso-
citation.
The convention was called to order by
w. A. Stoner postmaster at Waco, who an
nounced that T. j. Darling of Temple
would serve as tenn ,urasy cha rman, and
that Marshall Smith of Brentwood would
act as temporary secretary. Postmaster
Darling took tho chair and Rev. NJ. A.
Dougherty invoked divine blessings.
]. d. Boynton OF Waco delivered the
welcome address on behalf of the city and
Postmaster G. G. Clifford of San Antonio
responded on behalf of the postmasters.
A committee on permanent organization
and order of business was appointed. with
Postmaster O'Leary OF Dallas chairman.
While the committee was out another
was sent out after Colonel Webster Flan-
Agan. who was In thu city, but had not
shown up at the convention
A. $. Roberts, superintendent OF the
railway mail service. was called on and
made an interesting talk
Postofhce Inspector Frank Hamilton Of
San Antonio also addressed the oonyen-
ton under protest.
Colonel Flanagan arrived and was forced
to make speech. which he prefaced with
the statement that he had been told that
the meeting was non -poitical. He WAS
moved to repeat a query that had become
historical and ask What are we here
for?"
The committee on permanent organiza-
ton recommended G. c. Clifford OF San
Antonio for permanent chairman and
Marshall Smith for permanent secretary.
The report was adopted.
Other committees were appointed and
the convention recessed for dinner after
hearing letters and kilograms OF regret
from a number OF prominent officials Of
the postoftice department and other prom
inent men.
Chairman r. H. r. Green was a guest
of the convention this afternoon and was
given an ovation. Congressman Hawley
did not get here.
The afternoon session was devoted to
the discussion of various questions con-
corning the conduct OF the postof1ce This
convention will resume tomorrow at
o'clock
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
MIR. HAwLpY's APPEAL.
Time Ii the Requisite I'm Relieving
the Flood sufferers.

AA"e ~ tue NeQutsit0 IN NeAiSVlhh
the Flood Sufferers.
Especial to The Post)
Washington, July 12.--congressmai
Hawley. who arrived In this city las
night, has interested the city commits
sioners of Washington in the necessitie.
OF the flood sufferers OF Texas. and they
have called a meeting OF the citizens Of
this city for tomorrow evening, when the
question Of providing immediate assistance
Tor the flood sufferers Will be considered
The citizens OF the district will be asked
10 give with free will whatever they can
70 relieve the immediate necessities OF
the victims OF this dire disaster. Mr. Haw-
ley has SO pictured the terrible desola-
ton OF the flooded district that the re-
spouse 10 expected to be spontaneous and
generous. He says:
The disaster which has oyertaken the
communities In Southern Texas is with
out parallel in our country. At some
points the precipitation was three ana q
naii ieet In sixty hours, resulting in a
Mood oil enormous proportions, covering an
area oil many square miles to depth OF
from nve TO twenty feet and a loss of
from S2b,0O0,o00 to S40.000,000. No less
than twenty populous towns have been
inundated as well as those lands OF well
estapiished and well ordered farms which
To-Day are in complete state OF desola-
tion. Practically every work animal
every mich COW, together with all stock
cattle and every vestige of vegetation have
oeen swept away, leaving the country COM
pletely devastated. Within the influence
OF this awful disaster resided over 10000
people, almost half of whom are in a state
nplnlpgSnpEE can't t1,a,,
be provided for by those who are generous
and able to assist them.
The whole State of Texas is alive to
the situation and is doing its utmost to
relieve the suffering. 1t is impossible.
however, for the State alone, within the
time necessary, to succor the people to
come to their relief When the great
Johnstown flood occurred Pennsylvania
could have easily taken care of their own
II given time; but as time was then. as 1t
Is now, the essential factor, they were
Obliged to appeal TO generous public in
every part of the Union and from every
quarter the relief was immediate on a
scale commensurate with the disaster.
TO this public the food district of
Texas appeals today to supply the neces-
sarles of life until the horrors of the
Hood shall have passed and the people
shall be in position to again ADDRESS
themselves to the task of re-establishing
their homes.
For this purpose it is urged through
the press, the different commercial bodies
and municipal authorities OF every city of
the Union. that their appeal be answered.
For the distribution of this relief a
system is being organized throughout the
flooded district Immediately under the
direction OF the governor of Texas. to
whom all contributions should be ad-
dressed at Austin, Texas. and under whose
care every dollar will be judiciously and
effectively expended"
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
Lake Charles Locals.

Lake Charles. La. July 12-,fhe Daily
American received a telegram today from
the assistant postmaster general at Wash
ington saying that an inspector would be
sent to Lake Charles shortly to see II the
city came UP to the requirements for free
mail delivery. with ragard to streets, side
walks, lights. etc, The postal receipts
were over s11 900 and the city council Will
meet tonight In special session and Will
take up the matter Of having the names
OF the different streets placed on corners
and all buildings numbered.
The w. b. Norris mill is turning out
some large square timbers for export. The
timber will be loaded on bnrges and towed
to Sabine Pass and thence go by steamer
to Europe.
The ferry boat Hazel laid up yester-
day morning awaiting inspection by the
United States inspectors, Meesrs. Murray
and Herschberger of Galveston. She will
go on the ways at Clooney's shipyard for
general overhauling and painting. The
Ramos is making regular trips In her
stead.
Governor Murphy ]. Foster and party
left this morning on the Romeo for Cam
eron. where they will inspect site suit
able for the location OF biological sta
ton,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
Court at Gonzales.

Gonzales, Texas, July i1.-Dlstriot oourt
is engaged ON case of considerable i'm
Wells ct al. In 1896 Houston sold his un-
divided interest in his fathers estate to
Wells and the suit is brought TO recover
same on the grounds that the sale was
not valid and that the consideration was
entirely too small. II is estimated that
Houston's interest is now worth $4,000.
though still an undivided interest. Sew
eral lawyers are engaged on each side,
Judge Yancey Lewis OF South McAllister.
l. IT,, being leading counsel for the plain
tiff Judge Lewis was born and raised In
Gonzales. but has been resident OF the
Territory for several years.
The grand jury has returned thirty
three bile twenty-three misdemeanors
and ten felonies. II Will adjourn about the
18th
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
SEARCHING FOR THE RAPIST
A HEAVY REWARD HAS BEEN OF.
FERED FOR HIM.
citizens Arc Determined to CatcI,
Him and He VIII Have
Legal Trial.

Goliad. Texas, July 1.-THE oficers and
several hundred citizens are securing the
country In search of the mulatto negro
who is charged with the murder and rape
of the young Bohemian woman In the
northern section OF this county on Mon
day last. The governor has offered $500
reward and the sheriff has offered $50
reward for his arrest.
Reports are Just received that officers
ana citizens are close on the trail and will
probably have the iend under arrest In a
short while.
Citizens generally are quiet and deter
mined, and there is little or no danger OF
mobbing the negro, as all are disposed to
let the law take its course with him.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13

50, Ector county. were received here this
evening and Chairman Brady OF the re-.
lief committee has requested The Post
correspondent to state that he desires to
thank them heartily for this valuable con-
tribution, more especially because 1t came
from a point several hundred miles dis
tant This morning Chairman Brady re-
ceived the following telegram. for which
he wishes also to publicly return his
thanks:
Hon. p. J. Brady, Hearne, Texas
San Angelo, Texas. July l2,--our clti-
zens have ordered shipped from Dallas to
you one car Of meal. flour and bacon; cost
$3.50; It will leave there In the morning.
Milton Hays,
County Judge Tom Green County"
The committee is putting forth every
effort to see that the food sufferers are
looked after.
The Hearne and Brasos Valley run its
first train this evening since the food
but can so no further than Mumiord for
a week yet The Houston and Texas Cen
trail will likely run a train to Hearne from
Houston on Sunday.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
oHAPPELL HILL COMMITTEE.
A Report on the Distribution of TIL,
Relief.

A Report on the Distribution of the
Relief.
Chappell Hill. Texas, July live, the
relief committee appointed 90 see TO the
proper distribution of all supplies sent TO
Chappell Hill, beg to report that the plan
was formulated OF giving to each landlord
a supply of rations. fully sufficient for all
the tenants upon his place, which he him
SELF distributed, In this way there was no
probability of parties obtaining rations
who were not strictly entitled 10 them.
The committee has thus far fed 500 peo-
pie, and Will continue in the good work
Just as long as the necessity for doing so
continues They now have received and
distributed rations sufficient to last ten
days or two weeks, by which time they
hope the crisis will have passed. 1t is
therefore requested that no further sup
plies be gent here for the present, or until
notice is given that more are needed.
The committee beg, through this me-
dunn, to express their thanks and tho
thanks of the entire community to all and
everybody who have so literally contrib
uted that we might be enabled to over
come the great amount OF distress and
want so suddenly thrust upon US by the
recent overflow; but for that timely as
sistance thus rendered, suffering, starva-
suited.
To Mr.. Cabeen, the polite and accommo
dating agent of the Houston and Texas
Central railroad here, the committee are
under lasting obligations. No request, no
favor was asked and not granted which
was possible for him to do, and we here
by express our heartfelt thanks and ap-
probation.
To the officials OF the Houston and
Texas Central railroad the committee and
entire citizenship of chappell Hill are
largely indebted for favors extended. All
supplies brought here were hauled free
of any charge whatever, for which lib
crafty the entire community feel thank
full.
A great calamity has befallen us; want,
restitution and starvation overlook us in
a moment as 1t were, but our people bold
ly and heroicajly met the issue and through
their own efforts and the great help so
literally bestowed by friends and neigh
bors all the difficulties with which we
were confronted have been in large meas
ure overcome.
T. A. Mercer W. H. Crawford, Henry
Hughes and Sam Epstein, relief committee.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
AT sEALY.
All Are Being Fed Now and Work
Can BE Found.


Sealy, Texas, July 1.-The river is fall
ing rapidly now, though it will be several
days befor the water runs off so as to I'D
nit any one replanting anything in the
bottoms. The committee is feeding all the
food sufferers In systematic way and no
one can complain of going hungry now.
While most OF the negroes are deserving
OF assistance, there are others who are
not; for instance, this afternoon while
hauling the provisions from the depot to
the commissary, negro was asked 10
assist, but instead OF doing 80. said: II
amt got no time TO do dat work. Use got
to go home" This is mentioned TO show
the ingratitude in some Of them. There
will be ample work on the railroads hero
for most OF these who Wish to work and
the Committee will SEQ that they work II
the opportunity presents itself or go
hungry This thing OF loafng around
town, existing on charity while work can
be had, will not be tolerated.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
BRENNAN COMMITTEE.
Discussed Plans for Properly Dis
tributing Relief,


tributing Relief.
Brennan, Texas, July l2.-The central
relief committee of this county held a
prolonged session this morning. A check
for $4,000 was received from Governor Say
ers, with letter instructing that 1t be
applied to the purchase OF corn meal and
bacon. Twenty-Five dollars was received
from stephenville and a telegram was re-
celyed from DR.. B, B. Minor. Jr., OF this
city, now in Richmond. Va. giving 500.
Ths committee discussed the condition
of affairs at great length, but did not
reach final conclusion as TO a plan upon
which to continue. number OF COM
munities were heard from. and those
needing immediate assistance were sup
piled. At the conclusion OF the meeting,
Hon D. C. Giddings, Jr.. chairman, and
7. A. Mercer. a member OF the chappell
Hill local committee. left for Austin to
confer with the governor. They have a
plan for work which they will submit to
him. which. If meeting his approval. will
probably be followed. II 1t is followed
In this county It may be found to % ad-
yantageous in other districts.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
SEEDS AND MEDICINES
Are Now tho Requirements in Wal
Ter County.

Are NOW the Requirements IN wal
Ier County.
Hampstead, Texas, July 12.-Supplies in
quantities are now coming in and some
money, but the universal cry now Is for
plenty OF seed and some medicines. not
only for mankind, but for animals who
have been standing in water for days.
causing the skin to slip off. Black oil is
needed for such cases. healing as 1t is to
the flesh with tendency to keep off flies
and insects.
People coming in from Sunnyslde tell
narrowing tales OF the havoc wrought OF
restitution hard TO picture with the pen
now fortunately partly relieved by out
side aid and OF the acts of heroism per-
formed by some white people to save me-
groes.
In addition to the heroism displayed by
Fritz MCGEE, who saved over eighty lives
in the dark OF night. should be mentioned
Mr.. Gus Meckert. an old German Farmer
who, while his own home was surrounded
by water and his stock drowning. got into
boat, awakened the sleeping negroes and
brought out from sure death scores OF
negroes.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
Arre,,ed far A,,ouI, 10 Murdcr,

Hillsboro, Texas. July l1.--Deputy j. A.
Jones returned from Massey last night
with two men and jailed them on charge
OF assault to murder Mrs. Jim Evans.
Sunday night she heard some one after
the chickens about 10 o'clock and going
to the fowl house called for Sam Barrett,
with whom she lived to como out. AS
soon as she called out rocks we're thrown,
one striking her in the mouth and another
in the breast making ugly wounds that
BLEED profusely. They escaped before Bar
rett could get out.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
WORK AT vELAsCo.
Orders Have Bccn Given to Proceed
with IL.

Conroe, Texas, July 12.-Hon. Thos. H.
Ball. congressman of the First congress-
ional district of Texas, wired from Hunts
vile. Texas. last Sunday to the chief OF
engineers at Washington, ID. G.. that the
immediate expenditure of the appropria-
ton for the mouth OF the Brazos would bo
to the advantage of the work and afford
employment to many of the food suffer-
ers, Today reply thereto was forwarded
to Mr.. Ball from Huntsville to Conros, us
follows;
Hon. Thos. n. Ball
Captain Riches report for the mouth Of
the BraEos has been approved and officers
notified by telegraph TO proceed with the
work as rapidly as possible. The work
consists of raising and constructing jet
ties by contract, and dredging.
Wilson. Chief OF Engineers.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
DAMAGE IN LEE COUNTY.
The Cotton that Was submerged Is
Dead.

Giddings. Texas, July Ii. - The fair
weather of the past few days has to some
extent revived the dropping spirits of the
farmers along the creek bottoms The
rain did great damage; the cotton thar
was submerged by the food Is dead. Some
of the farmers will replant and risk the
chances of late fall; others Will plant
their land in June corn and potatoes
County Judge Bowers was In receipt
of a telegram from Governor sayers yes
terday, asking for help for the Brrleson
county sufferers. He notified the governor
that the town of Giddings mad already
contributed 10000 pounds OF food for the
sufferers at Cbappell Hill.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
AS TO LAND EoRFEITUREs.

At the request OF Land Commissioner
Rogan the attorney generals department
has given an opinion TO the effect that
purchasers OF school land under the act
OF 1874 may make payment OF principal
due at any time prior TO the actual declara-
ton OF a forfeiture by the officer whose
duty it is declare the forfeiture and MAKE
the necessary entries declaring the same.
The opinion further holds that whereas
on-judicial forfeiture is expressly author
ICED by the law the forfeiture does mol
become complete until the officer charged
with the duty declares the forfeiture and
makes the entries required, so as to de-
prlye the purchaser OF his right to make
fixture.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
TWO Workmen KiIIed

sealy Texas, July ll.-This morning
while the extra gang were at work or the
Katy track at the river. negro laborer
named Edwards in some manner fell under
the moving train and his body ground TO
pieces. About thirty minutes after an
other negro working in the same gang
was caught under some heavy bridge tim
Der and killed.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
round peud in HIS Tank.

Floresyill, Tex. July ll.--Jose Matinee,
an old Mexican citizen OF this place. was
found dead in his tank near his home yes
terdsy. He went to the tank to wash
his hands and about an hour later mem
Der OF the family went TO see why he had
not returned and found his dead body
lying In the water. He was subject TO
heart trouble and 1t Is supposed this was
the cause OF his death.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13

Dallas, Texas. July l2.-At midnight DR..
Carroll, one OF the attending physicians OF
Prof. William Lipscomb, shot by John T.
Carlisle on Monday night last, said: prof
Lipscomb has grown seriously worse since
o'clock tonight He is now unconscious.
While II Is barely possible he may live
through the night. 1t is highly improbable
that he can do So"
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
RIO cRANpE NEARLY DRY.

Senator w. w. Turney OF I'll Psso II
here today. He states that there is no
running water In the Rio Grande for sew
eral hundred miles above El Paso. and
that the large agricultural interests In the
valley, which depend on irrigation, are
suffering greatly. The fruit crop VIII. ne
thinks, be cut down go per cent.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-13
FROM THE CAPITAL CITY
PenltcntIary Board Considered Much In
portant Business.
DECISIONS DEFERRED TO NEXT MEETING
A Few of tho Planters who SAT-
fered Because Of tho riood-Rso
Giande IL Nearly Dry.

Austin. Texas, July la.-At its meeting
today tho penitenuary board opened bids
from four parties Offering sugar and cot
ton lands for sale to the penitentiary au-
thorities to DO cultivated by convicts On
State account in response to advertise
ments recently published These bids
wero from Campbell s Sewsll OF Hous-
ton, Offering 1000 acres In Brazoria county.
on the west side Of the Brazos, with i'm
proyements. at $3.50 per acre From
Irueheart 4 Co. of Galveston. onering the
Retrieve plantation. in Braxoria county,
including sugar house, buildings, ETC., 1910
acres In all, at Sl2o.0C0. From Stiiman
OF Fort Worth, oifering 5S25 acres in Bra
zoria county, at 5000 per acre. From L.
J. Oliver OF Dallas, the Lake jackson place
In Brazorla county, $500 acres with i'm
provements, at si2 per acre. There was
also proposition from Hogg a. Robertson
OF Austin 10 lease the State the Gaines
place in Brazoria county, recently acquired
by them, there are 3Yi6 acres therein
and they want % cents a year per acre
therefor. provided the State will put 1t in
complete cultivation.
Action on all bids was deferred until
next Monday, when the board will meet
again at Huntsville to consider them.
"a huuipeI vi CONTRACTORS, VINO are luas-
ing convicts and who have been overhowed.
appeared before the board and asked To be
relieved OF their leases. This matter Will
also be disposed OF at Huntsville next
Monday. In the meantime the penltentiary
officials We're instructed to dispose of such
convicts as they may have demand for
out of those whom the overlooked con-
tractors may wish TO return pending fur
Their action by the board,
Financial Agent Hin reported boom in
the water pipe business at Rusk Prices
are good and orders plentiful, he says
The board also passed n resolution ap-
proving of the work of Inspector Spooner
and commencing him for the manner in
which he is performing his duties.
The penitentiary board in session here
today approved tho report OF Financial
Agent of Penitentlaries Hin for June
1t shows balance of S120,6i2 so on hand
July !. The receipts from penitentlnry
labor for June amounted to s5290s.75 and
the disbursements for the maintenance of
the penitentiaries amounted to So, $50. so.
Mr.. Hill estimates that the high water
has caused loss of $4,000 To the peni-
tentiary system in the way of damages
10 crops and farms.
The board was furnished with verbal
opinion by Attorney General Smith to the
effect that 1t has authority TO reimburse
penitentary officers and guards who lost
their clothing and personal effects in the
discharge of their duty during the fire at
Huntsville prison last winter. In replacing
the buildings lost during this fire $20,53i
has been expended to date.