Graham guardian., 1901-01-25
THE TEXAS VALLEYS.
After Recent Tpundations They Are
Blooming Again.
Great DSstE5sttcn oaussd By Over
Sowing RiveFs--Bsupsndou Task
That Confronted the People
Of Th1t Section.


The valleys of the Brazos and Col
orado rivers, which were inundated
by uverhows Of those streams in July,
1899, have been reclaimed and will this
year yield an immense crop of cotton.
IL was conservHtively estimated, re-
ports the New York Sun, that the
floods of last year destroyed growing
cotton in the valley of the Brazos
river that would have yielded fully
500,0 bales, while the loss in the val
ley Of the Colorado amounted to nm
other 100000 bales. Not only was this
growing crop swept TO destruction,
but the plantations along the rivers
were denuded OF all their buildings,
fence and other improvements. The
humble homes of thousands of negro
families who were employed on the
plantations were washed away and
the terrified Inhabitants had TO seek
refuge on higher ground along the
surging rivers.
When the waters subsided the full
effect Of The destructive inundations
was 90 he seen. The overflow extend
ed along the Brazos river from its
leo, 10 the northern part of the state,
distance OF probably 400 miles by
course of the river. The width of the
overfiowed valley was from one mile
TO fifteen miles Along the Colorado
river the inundation extended from
The Gulf Of Mexico to Austin. dis
tauce Of probably 200 miles. When
the news OF the disaster reached the
people ~ Texas and the outside world
contributions began to pour in from
all over the country in aid of the snf-
fering colored people. Several hum
dred thousand dollars were expended
through relief committees for sup
plies. It was probably six weeks from
the time the overhows were at their
height before the waters had subsided
and the ground was again in condi-
tiOu to be worked
The task before the planters was
gtupendous one, but they met the diff
8cultics with an indomitable will and
courage that soon accomplished won.
ders. The negroes were at first loath
20 return to the bottoms. They had
been faring so well through the gen
erous charity Of sympathetic peo-
pie that they had no desire to make
O change. When the planters could
not induce them TO return to their la
bors the fres,food supplies were cut off
by the relief committees OF the sew
eraI communities and the refugees
were informed that they would either
have 10 work or Starve. They pre-,
ferrcd to work. Upon their return
10 the plantations the work Of res
habilitation was carried on with vigor.
A rich silt covered the valleys of the
+wo r''ar, 'u a great depth, Owing
10 fH. .tn",ss of the season no gem
aga. n. "ue made to raise another
rop .E".r. hat of forage for the
@.r. ..i"r ...e stock. The next sew
ara' mau.Ha we're devoted TO re-
Hua.ur .ernrs, buildings, and get
7t0g f.. .E1latious In condition for
au5a sHasa..s erop.
When the cotton-planting season ar
rived this year the inundated district
had been reclaimed and full acre
age was put in along both rivers. The
soil had become so greatly enriched
by the ovcrfows that the cotton plant
has grown like magic. 1t is the opin'
Son of many planters that the inunda-
tion was really blessing in disguise;
that the salt which was deposited
throughout the valleys of the two
sivers has added more TO the value
of the soil than the amount OF loss
sustained by the destruction wrought
by the floods.