The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-04-12
DEATH IN THE FLOOD.
Grent Disaster Overtnkcs Austn,

Great Disaster Overtakes Austin,
35 Tex.
Austin, Tex. April 10. The great
Austin dam gave away at noon Saturv
day before the floods OF the Colorado
river, spreading disaster in the low
lands Of the city and points below here (
on the river. The dam and power
house lust below, both of which We're
wrecked, were constructed seven Years
ago ut a cost of $1,400,00O treat
damage has been done to crops aHu
property throughout the Hooded sec
ton, which extends practically from
Waco to San Antonio. In ADDITION To-
vast loss to property interests seY-
enteen lives have been sacrificed Aus
tin IS in darkness. with the river one
mile wide and swollen far beyond It's
banks. running through the lower part
of the town.
Wreck of the Plant Complete
Sunday fully 10000 people gathered
at the dam and power house stationed
north Of the city to witness the ruins
OF the plant. Tie waters OF the COLO
RADIO river are still plunging and FOAM 4
ing around the wreck. eating away inc
big pile of granite which once Iorlneu
the dam as though 1t was nothing
more than chalk rock. So fierce was
the current that great boulders We're
carried half a mile from the dam, De,
ing rolled over and over by the turDu-
lent tide. "
The power house, which succumbed
to the terrific waters at 2 o'clock yes.
tertlay afternoon. lies a mass "
wreckage Mt the edge OF the river, al
the machinery either having heehf
thrown into the river or badly Gam
aged by the falling timbers OF the
power house. The wreck Of the plant
lis complete The situation in the CITY
is most serious. The wreckage OF the
plant means that it will take seVeral
weeks to secure a temporary wafer
and light system, il it can be maue
possible even then. In the meantime
the city will be in bad sanitary condl-
ton All the hotels. private resi-
dences. stores and the like are WITHOUT
water and there is
No Fire Protection.
Churches were unable to hold SER
vices last night for want of light, ana
all public meetings we're abandoned.
The daily newspapers are handicapped
in their publication, being deprived OF
their electric power. The river Is
falling. Reports from the neighboring
country are to the effect that every
thing is under water. In Williamson
county. north of Lere, railroad bridges
and trackage have been laid waste
and al trains have stopped running.
Hundreds CT head of cattle have been
drowned and miles of fencing torn
down and washed away. In BastroD'
county and in the south portion OF
this county similar conditions prevail,
everything being under water ana
muck loss Of property is reported.
The country tributary to the Colorado
river all the way down Its course Is
being inundated. and while it is be-
lieyed the worst Is over. the loss as
now estimated will exceed $3,OO0,oOo,
counting Austin rs the largest loser.
The only drownings reported We're
here when the dam broke and caught
the victims unawares. A mass meet
Ing Of citizens has been called In order
TINT some steps may be taken TO re-
lieve the situation.
IL No Danger 1*tH General Ffood.
Houston. Tex. April f0.-As q rule
the Texas rivers are now falling and
there Is not much danger Of a general
food. The crops have been dnmaged
over wide area. but there Is still
time for farmers to replant II they
can get the seed. Corn has been
planted over once and will have 10 be
planted the third time. The farmers,
as q rule, have pot planted much cot
ton because the heavy rains have kept
tbarn ant af fhe fields THE railroads.
have lost many small bridges. and 1t
will be q week before traffic resumes
It's normal condition.