The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-08-03
SITUATION AT BAY CITY
HOPED THAT THE WORST OF THE
DANGER HAS BEEN MET.
The Nile Valley Canal Has Been the
Principal Sufferer, but Repairs Are
Being Made--Canals Have Water.

A special representative Of The Post Wis.
tied Bay City yesterday to ascertain the
damage, If any, to the rice crop on account
Of the overflow of the Colorado river. The
river is very high and the back water en-
account Of construction Of levees is over
great portion Of the city. The water Is
rot high enough to do any material dam.
age, but is causing the inhabitants to don
rubber boots or go barefooted In gaining
access to and egress from residences in the
southern portion Of the city.
The rise in the river has been causing
great apprehension as TO possible damage,
but SO far the irrigation plants have been
the only ones that have suffered. One Of
the corners Of the Nile Valley company's
pump house has been undermined, but the
machinery has not been damaged, Is plumb
and can be, operated as soon as the water
recedcs. Two or three breaks have oc.
Cured In their canal, but large forces of
men ere employed night and day closing
the crevasses. The foreman told The Post
barrows, lumber, etc, and making prep
aratons to repair all damages within few
days after the water recedes.
NEW RAFT is THREATENING.
A new raft was formed in the river OF i'm
mense dimensions which gave way and
landed on top of the old raft. which has
been in the river for years, and now still
another raft has formed above and two
new channels ION either slde) have formed
| II this should continue and other rats
| should form considerable damage may DO
| pntidpated The Post reporter talked to an
experienced river man. one who has had
| years of experience In such work on the
Mississippi river, who says that the most
plausible way to protect the country ada
| cent to the Colorado river and Bay CITY
around the raft
None OF the pumping plants are nt work
except the one at Lane city, and his one
is pumping from the second lift The
! other Irrigation companies have opened
their ctnais and allowed the water to run
in and are supplying the rice farms with
| water.
If nothing more serious happens the most
stupendous crop Of rice ever raised In this
section will he the result
THE LOCAL LABOR PROBLEM.
The question Of labor Is worrying the Mat
ngorda county people. Even during this
overflow It is almost impossible 10 get
hands to work at high salaries. so what
NAV be expected when the rice harvest
fairly gets stsrtedl
The Southern Pacific will be running
trains into Matagorda by August TO- and
both the Cane Belt and the Southern IA
ci0c Will do an immense traffic IN hauling
this crop. <.,,,... -. .h,
time this article is In print, as specia
telephone message at noon reports Ia!' W
over eight feet nj Bastrop eight teet ~
La Grarge, two feet at Columbus ana leN
inches fall at Wharton.
Great preparations are being maze LOT nv nv
rice carnival and barbecue to be given nl
the citizens Of Bay City on August 20
Prominent speakers will be invited, an'
special trains ON both railroads VII D.
rpn Already twenty-five beeyes have peer
nurchased and provisions sufficient to iee'
10. 900 people VIII be prepared