The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-10
RIVER FALLS AT AUSTIN
Great Destruction Below in Wilton
and Lafayette Counties.
EARLY COTTON AND CORN RUINED
The Loss of Life Yet Unknown. Reports From
Southern. Central and Southwestern
Texas Indicate More Rain. Large
Schooners Blown Ashore.
(By the Associated Press.)

Austin Texas, April 9.-The flood
situation here is improving some
what, but the reports from points De-
low indicate that the full effect of the
immense volume of water is beng Ielt
in Wilton and Lafayette counties ey-
erything being inundated and much
loss of property interests and some
thing like fifty washouts and losses
of brigades reported by the railways.
Advices from the area surrounding
the county seat of BastrOp county are
to the effect that there has been some
loss of life among the farming class
but outside of an unconfirmed report
that eight lives were lost nothing can
he learned.
In the southern part of this county
several people are missing, the num-
ber representing a family of six ltal-
ians and two negro families. 1t may
be that they have escaped, but as
their homes have been washed away
it is presumed that they persisted IN
the rushing waters.
The river is receding rapidly at this
point and above, Notwithstanding the
fact that another heavy rise was re-
ported early this morning on the
Concho. 125 miles, north of here.
Reports tonight from LaGrange in
I.aFayettev county, are to the effect
that while such of the lower portion
of the town is under water, property
loss is small. No one is missing.
The International and Great North
ern Railway and the Missouri, Kansas
4 m f.r.i,N Ia1
by the foods. The first named road
has had fifteen washouts and lost
bridges on its road from Hearne to
the Rio Grande.
The Missouri. Kansas and Texas
is likewise a heavy loser, having to
abandon much of it's track altogether.
1t is not believed that the damage
TO the cotton crop will be of great ex-
tent as the season is yet early and all
the crop can be replanted. All the
citizens of this city held mass meet
ing today at which the concensus OF
opinion was that it was not feasible
to rebuild the dam and power house,
although no definite action was TAX
en-. A proposition was made to the
meeting by the old water company
whose plant has likewise suffered
much from the flood that they would
take all the piping and wiring of the
city plant and such of their apparatus
as could be recovered from the wreck
age, pay fair value for the same and
rejuvenate their plant here and fur
nish the city with water and light
within two weeks. The proposition
was handed over to a committee OF
twenty citizens to be considered. In
the meantime the waiter and light
commission met and Instructed its
superintendent to at once secure from
New Orleans or some other available
point steam engine by which it is
hoped that the city can operate one OF
its big pumps which remains intact
and furnish the city with water until
some more definite arrangements can
be made. Much fear is being enter
tanned with regard to the sanitary
situation of Austin. as the city is al
ready beginning to show the effects of
lack of drainage water. Governor
Sayers today gave the city $500 out OF
the flood sufferers fund to be eXpend-
ed in behalf of the poor of the city
who have been made homeless. All
such are being we'll cared for.