Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1905-07-05
WAS TRULY AWFUL.
| One of the Most Terrible Disasters
Ever known In
REPUBLIC OF MEXICO
Flood Rushed Down Upon People Of
GnantaJuato and Hundreds Are
swiftly Drowned as Escape
Vas sought.

| buNhAAJuAAuf AtAsF Juit " HN NA'~
aster that has come upon this city II
unparalleled IN It's long history dur
ing which many floods have been re-
corded In times past. The city has,
owing 20 its situation In a great ra-
vine or gorge. been subjected 20 floods
sweeping down from the mountains
and much loss Of life was recorded. but
the present storm which began Friday
night and continued through Saturday.
was unprecedented In violence. by 4
O'Clock Saturday afternoon clouds
banked up black and threatening In the
northeast and within less than 20 min
utes rain came down IN torrents and
the water surged down the higher
streets with great violence. Part Of the
river. which was built over with ma
> sonry. burst through. augmenting the
flood. and the scene became one OF
terror and CONSERVATION. The people
made haste TO gather their valuables
and flee and many did 80 at the risk
OF their lives. for the streets Ia the
lower part of the city were filled with
rushing water and the roar OF the ele-
ments added 20 the general panic. With
one rush the mighty flood burst its
bounds by the river foundations Of sol
idly built masonry and houses were
undermined and many buildings fell
with "a crash. while their inmates were
crushed beneath the falling masonry.
/ In those houses near the river the
water rose rapidly and the Inhabitants
went 20 the upper floors and even 10
the roofs. where they were exposed
| 20 the full force OF the elements. 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 90 both sides of the
! town and the people madly rushed out
10 flee 20 the mountains. many being
caught and swept away.
AZ the time when the storm seemed
/ likely 20 abate and before It's greatest
intensity was felt there was "a great
crowd of merrymakcrs IN the plaza.
The gamblers had scarcely had time 90
set up their tables and place their
moIcy thereon when the flood rushed
down from the hills sweeping away
booths money and tables. Many peo-
pie were then and there drowned.
Each man fought his way out Of the
flood. trampllng down whomeyer came
in his way and thus many women and
children perished A large number of
people had sought refuge in the Church !
of san Diego but sooa were crushed |
10 death undr- its falling walls. The /
priest. who was addressing words ~ |
hope and ns,.Ition 90 IN 0aople. was |
killed
-Four hotels and some large shops /
were demolished or badly injured and /
some of the noblest mansions IN the /
city were wrecked with al their fine |
furnishings
The large building occupied hy /
Dwight Furness as tf~ American con- /
sulate Is flooded 60 -ie second story /
windows
The street car line between this city /
ana the town % Marafil was wrecked. /
much of the track being washed away. /
while the mules were drowned. The l
second floor of the Hotel Union was /
under i've feet of water.
The governor and state and city nu-
thorlties have worked day and night /
trying 90 preserve order and 20 con-
troll the bands of thieves who are haz-
arding their lives In the work of pill /
-glng shops and mansions.
The old electric plant was destroyed |
but the new plant was saved. The Fed
eral telegraph lines were interrupted /
g. a.
resumed. though the operators have |
10 bo about the ONCE harelegged as the |
water stands two feet high IN the /
building.
The bodies Of the people drowned are !,
being taken 20 houses IN the higher /
streets. and the spectacle Is a SORROW
ful one. as the streets are filed with /
the mourning survivors. often looking /
for their dead.
Estimates Of the loss OF life differ |
greatly. ranging from 200 90 over 1000. |
and II II probable that many bodies |
will be found under the ruins of houses /
The catastrophe was caused by a 4
cloudburst. and as the city II situated /
partly on the mountainslde and partly |
In the valley. II would be impossible 20 |
avoid a disaster.
The famous Ia Ola dam II intact. /
though al one time II was believed 20 |
have burst.
The money loss II hard TO estimate /
and may reach several million dollars. /
Many people are still camping In the /
mountains. Great credit II due 20 the /
authorities and the Federal telegraph /
officials who have done everything pos
sible TO maintain order and keep COM /
munication established with the Fed /
eral capital.
4 Mexican Central train. which ran /
into washout between Trapuato and /
Guanajuato was wrecked. and seven
person were wiIled and thirty-four In
jured.