The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-06

SCENE AT JOE
the weary watchers, day broke on Peach
Ridge Broke to bring to those who MAD
not seen 1t before full realization OF
the awfglness of the devastation of the
flood The ridge itself was found to be
a long and narrow island of some seven
acres in extent, on either side of which
the yellow waters swlrled and leaped. In
sight were perhaps dozen negro nuts
in various stages OF inundation. Ali,
however, with the exception OF the home
of the Spaghts, were abandoned.
Preparations for the trip to THE prai-
rie," as the high ground Immediately
around Brookshire Is designated, were I'M
4 medately begun, and after hasty cup
OF coffee the boats were loaded and Tie
return journey commenced. There were
six or seven women and eight children in
addition to the men in the party. and ii
was necessary to pack them rather closely.
Two OF the women were enciente and in
their wet and bedraggled condition pre-
sented a truly pitable appearance. The
| children looked hungry and tired, but
none of them complained. part of the
bed clothing and other effects of the refu-
| gees were taken.
| Neither during that portion of the night
| spent by the rescuers on the island nor
on the trip to the highlands not one word
of gratitude was spoken by the poor ne
groes. But there was a look of dumb
misery in their eyes which caused one to
lose sight of this fact They had lost
their all, and although 1t was not much
| IL was their all.
The return trip was, of course. a much
easier one than that made during the
night, the daylight enabling the oarsmen
to pick their way among the trees, fences
and RATS of driftwood
All along the route were evidences %
| the sad work OF the waters; homes sub
merged and destroyed; horses pigs and
mules swimming through the fields in a
vain endeavor to reach high ground pitt
tully whining dogs left by their masters
| in abandoned houses: chickens on roofs
and in the branches of trees; cats in vari-
Gus conditions of distress; rabbits with
only a small log or chip between them
| ana death--animals suffering starving
| and dying everywhere. One branch high
above the water held a huge turkey and
rooster while beneath three ducks
spiashed ana spluttered in hearty enjoy
ment OF the situation-the only living
| beings in all that wild expanse of water
| which seemed glad that the floods had
come A'N
Ihe refugees We're landed as near Brook
shlre as possible. and went on to town
where they were cared for as well as
! possible by the local relief committee
After hasty breakfast the rescuers re-
turned to their work and dozens Of peonle
/ were landed safely during the dav There
! was great plenty of willing workers hut
worm scarcity of boats. Skids are
nelng quit as fast as possible. however
and the work Will go rapidly ON
~
:" inns connection one of the many deeds
OF heroism performed during the flood
should be mentioned here. Mr.. Lucian
Bans prominent citizen, on Tuesday
saved over 100 women and children on
horseback. Mr. Bans can not swim
stroke and his deed is to be all the more
commended on this account.
~
The hardest problem now presented is
the feeding of the refugees. Messrs. ]
H. Ferguson, William Cooper and d. /
Parker, composing the local relief COM
mttee. have done their work extremely
wei, aided by most Of the people of the
town. The wires were used freely and as
result the following answers were re-
ceived:
j. II. Ferguson. William Cooper and
D. }. Parser, Relief Committee,
Brookshire
Houston, Texas. July 5.-We snip
1000 pounds bacon in response TO ap-
peal for aid.
Armour Packing Company,
| Per Mundy.
]. II. Ferguson. Brookshlre
Houston, Texas, July Telegram
received; have issued proclamation and
| people have begun work You will
DO aided at once s. II. Brashear.
Mayor
j. IL. Ferguson, d. j. Parker and VIM.
Cooper, Relief Committee. Brook
shire,
Austin. Texas, July 4.-Telegram
received. have not funds at my COM
mand for the purpose; have wired
mayors of Galveston, Houston and san
Antonio requesting contributions;
VIII see mayor Of Austin this after
moon in person. will DO all can to
relieve distress. j. d. Sayers,
Governor.
Relief Committee, Brookshire, Texas.
san Antonio. Texas, July 4.-Just
heard OF disaster in your vicinity;
draw on me for $50; wire at once ex-
tent of suffering and our people will
help you. Do you need money. cloth
ipg and provisions?
Marshall Hicks,
Mayor
i Carson & Sewall Of Houston wired today
that they would send supplies and during
the morning Tho Posts commissioner was
In receipt OF telegram to the effect that
The Post had made and secured contrlbu-
lions OF food and money which would be
sent Immediately. The $50 sent by Mayor
Hicks Of San Antonio was used In proyid-
ing food for the sufferers yesterday and no
doubt saved many Il homeless wretch the
pangs of hunger 1t should be stated In
this connection that an enormous amount
OF supplies will be needed and the appeal
OF the stricken ones should be literally
responded TO from all portions OF the State.
Unless this is done there is no doubt that
much sufferIng-actual starvation. per-