The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-04
ITS HOUSES CRUMBLE'
And the Lives Lost May Reach a
Thousand. Property Estimated at a
Million Dollars Has Been Destroyed.
Great Suffering is Prevalent, But
Aid is Being Rendered the Stricken
Town., and Burial Of the Dead is
Progressing Rapidly.
(By the Associated Press.) }

Guantajuato, Mexico, July 3.-Loss
of life variously estimated at more
than two hundred and less than one
thousand persons. and property dam
age to the extent of over a million
dollars, have been caused by the flood
which has swept over this town as the
result of a cloud burst. The telegraph
service has been restored and the au-
thorities are rapidly bringing order
out of chaos.
Great suffering is prevalent, but aid
is being given by surrounding towns
and a semblance on normal conditions,
it is believed, will soon be reached.
Burial of the dead is progressing.
rapidly, although many bodies are
thought to be among the ruins of
houses and are difficult to locate.
The disaster that has come upon this
city is unparalleled in it's long history
during which, many floods have been
recorded.
Guanajuato, owing to it's situation
i'm great ravinc or gorge, has been
subjected to floods sweeping down
from the mountains, and much loss
of life has been recorded, but the
present storm which began Friday
night and continued through Saturday
was unprecedented in violence.
Flood Bursts Thro' Barriers.
Part of the river which was built
with masonr'- burst through, augment
ing the flood and the scene became
one of terror and CONSERVATION. The
people made haste to gather their val
uableS and flee and many did so at
the risk of their lives, for the streets
in the lower part of the city were
filled with rushing waters and the
roar of wind and rain added to the
general panic. With one rush, the
mighty flood burst it's bounds founda
tions Of solidly built masonery and
houses being undermined. Their in
mates in many cases were crushed. In
these houses near the river the water
rose rapidly and the inhabitants went
to the upper floors and even to the
roofs where they were exposed to the
full force of the storm. Many people
thus seeking refuge in their own
houses went down in the crash of
their dwellings.
From the center of the city the flood
rushed to both sides of the town, and
the people, rushing out to flee to the
mountains were caught and swept
away.
Doom of Merry Makers.
At the time when the storm seemed
likely to abate, and before it's greatest
intensity was felt, there was a great
crowd of merry makers in the Plaza
Gaming operators had scarcely time
ito set up their tables and place their
money thereon when the flood rushed
down from the hills. sweeping away
booths. money and tables. Many peo-
pie were then and there drowned.
large number of people had
sought refuge in their church of San
Diego. but soon were crushed to death
under it's falling walls. The priest
who was addressing words of hope and
consolation to the people was killed.
Four hotels and some large shops
were demolished or badly damaged.
and some of the handsomest mansions
i'm the city were wrecked with all their
rich furnishings.
The second floor of Hotel Union is
under five feet of water.
Officers are trying to preserve order
and to control the bands. of thieves
who are at work pillaging shops and
mansions
The Federal Telegraph Lines were
interrupted for some time, but the
service is now resumed though the
water stands two feet In the building
The bodies of people drowned are
being taken to houses in the higher
streets. and the spectacle is a sorrow
fui one as the streets are filled with
mourning survivors looking for their
dead
1t is probable that many bodies will
be found under the ruins of the
houses.
The famous La Ola Dam is intact.
though at one time it was believed to
have burst
Many people are still camping in tho
mountains The authorities and the
telegraph officials have done every
1fslpr hi % tn mo 1ttef1 IN, !
keep communication open.