The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-15
A CITY IAUNDAT TED
Clouds Open Over Jackson
Vile, Making itan Amer
lean Venice.
(By the Associated Press)

Jacksonville, Fla, May 13.-The ram,
which fell necessarily all day yes
terday and all last night assumed this
morning about daybreak almost the pro.
portions of cloudburst, and when the
citizens prepared to leave for their places
of business, many of them found their
homes completely surrounded by water.
But these were not the unfortunates
Many were driven from their residences
or. forced to go to upper stories by the
water that in some cases reached the
level of the first story window. In all
much as one square mile of the town was
under water. Fully half a mile of Bay
street, the principal thoroughfare of the
city, was under water and much damage
was done to stocks of goods. On this
street a mule hitched to a wagon got
beyond its depth and was drowned and
the driver attempting to cut 1T from the
vehicle, nearly lost his life. Skiffs and
later in the day naptha launch were
plying on Bay street, removing people
from their submerged homes.
The water was two feet deep in the
waiting room of the Union depot, and
every railroad track entering the city was
under water. One train of the East Coast
Line and Atlantic Coast Line came into
Jacksonville in the morning and one each
over these two roads and the Seaboard
Air Line and East Coast trains departed
at night. The damage to the railroads in
and near the city is considerable. but it
is believed that it will be repaired by
morning, and that trains will make then
regular schedule tomorrow. The rain in
its intensity seemed to be local and the
railroads are not damaged except in or
near the city.
The city is in total darkness tonight
The water was a foot deep in the electric
light power house and stopped the lyna-
mo. The damage to the electric light
plant, which belongs to the city, is est
mated at $4,000. 1t will take probably
100000 to put the streets and bridges in
repair.
The railroads suffered losses probably
amounting to 100000. The losses Of
lives cannot be accurately estimated.
Many bridges in the country were washed
away. The total loss will probably not
be less than 100000.
In addition to this il is feared that
Bridge Street viaduct, which cost $3.50 900,
has been damaged by the flood. The
water of McCoy's Creek was all day rush
and it is feared that the supports Of the
bridge have been so weakened that ii
will be unsafe However, it was soon to
have been replaced by new one. Ropes
were stretched across the viaduct to keep
the crowd off. whether it was weakened
seriously can only be determined, after the
waters subside.
Five houses were overturned or demol
ished near the banks of Hogan's Greek in
the negro part of the city. They were all
small. The foundations of many other
houses in the same locality were under
mined and they were rendered uninhabita-
BILE. A number of negro families were
rendered homeless.
The flood was caused by the heavy
downpour in Jacksonville and few miles
to the north and west. Three small
creeks flow into the river from the north
west in the limits of Jacksonville, but they
spread over a great portion of the city. |
The total rainfall for the twentyifour /
hours ending at a. m. amounted to Sd
inches.