Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1905-07-05
THE FLOOD WAS
TRULY AWFUL
One of the Most Terrible Disasters
Ever Known In
REPUBLIC OF MEXICO
Flood Rushed Down Upon People of
Gnantajuato and Hundreds Arc
Swiftly Drowned as Escape
Was Sought.


Guantajuato, Mex. July 1.-THE dis
aster that has come upon this city is
unparalleled in it's long history dur
ing which many floods have been re-
corded in times past. The city has.
owing to its situation in a great ra-
vine or gorge. been subjected to 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
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 valuabIes
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 water and the roar of the ele-
ments added to the general panic. With
one rush the mighty flood burst fits
bounds by the river founda lions of SOL
idly built masonry and houses were
undermined and many buildings fell
with crash, while their inmates were
crushed beneath the falling masonry.
In those houses near the river the
water rose rapidly and the inhabitanl
went to the upper floors and even to
the roofs. where they were exposed
to the full force of the elements. Many
people thus seeking refuge i'm their own
houses went down I'm the crash of their
dwellings. From the center of the city
the flood rushed to both sides of the
town and the people madly rushed out
to flee to the mountains. many being
caught and swept away.
At the time when the storm seemed
likely to abate and before its greatest
intensity was felt there was a great
The gamblers had scarcely had time to
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.
Each man fought his way out of the
IN Ill s5F6y. and th0s many women and
1C1ll1dI9n per1shed. A large number Of
people had sought refuge in the Church
of San Diego, but soon were crushed
to death under its falling walls. The
priest, who was addressing words of
hope and consolation to TIN neople 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 all their fine
furnishings.
The large building occupied by
Dwight Furness as II" American con-
sulate was flooded TO rie second story
windows.
The street car line between this city
and the town Of Marafil was wrecked.
much of the track being washed away,
while the mules were drowned. The
under five feet of water
The governor and state and city au-
thoritfes have worked day and night
trying to preserve order and to con-
troll the bands of thieves who are haz-
arding their lives in the work of pill
aging shops and mansions.
The old electric plant was DESTROYED
but the new plant was saved. The Fed
-eral telegraph lines were Interrupted
for some time. but the service is now
resumed. though the operators have
to DO about the Office bareleggel as the
water stands two feet high in the
building
The bodies Of the people drowned are
being taken to houses I'm the higher
streets, and the spectacle is a sorrow
full one. as the streets are filled with
the mourning survivors. often looking
for their dead.
Estimates of the loss of life differ
greatly. ranging from 200 TO over 1000.
and IL IS probable that many bodies
VIII be found under the ruins of houses
The catastrophe was caused by
cloudburst and as the city is situated
partly on the mountainside and partly
in the valley II would be impossible e
avoid a disaster.
The famous La Ola dam is intact.
though at one time IL was believed TO
have burst.
The money loss is hard to estimate |
and may reach several million dollars. |
Many people are still camping In the |
mountains. Great credit is due to 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.
A Mexican Central train. which ran |
into q washout between Trapuato and |
Guanajuato was wrecked. and seven |
person were willed and thirty four in |
jured.
Voting Trust Ends.
New York. July 1.-THE Toledo. st /
Louis and estern railway stockhold-
erS' voting trust has terminated and /