Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-07-04
Hundreds of Persons Find Watery
Graves as the Result of
a { lOnjburSt.
MEXICAN uy DELuGfu
Men and Women, Fleeing to the Noun.
tains, Caught and Swept Away by
Settling Torrent-Priest Killed
While Addressing Words of Hope to
Panic-Stricken People.
nv Assoclntch pressA

L
| GAUNTAJUTO, MENlCO. July a..
LOSS OF life variously estimated nj
more than two hundred and less than
one thousand persons. and property
damage to the extent of over n million
dollars, have been caused by the flood
winch has swept over This town as the
result Of Il cloudburs,. The telegraph
service has been restored and tho
authorities are rapidly bringing order
out of chaos.
Great suffering is prevalent, but aid
is hcing received from surrounding
towns and scmblancc of normal con.
dilions, 1t is believed, will soon be
reached
Burial of the dead is progressing
rapidly, although many bodies are
thought to he among the ruins of
houses and are difficult to locate.
City Subject to Floods.
Tho disaster that has come upon
this city is unparalleled i'm its lon,
history, during which many floods have
been recorded Guantajnio, owing to
lis sitlation4ina great ravinc or gorge,
has been subject to floods sweeping
down from tlln ,,''', oh
present storm, Which began Friday
night ana continued through Saturday,
was unprecedented in violence.
Part of the river, which was built
,,.,tb
augmcnting The flood and the scene
became one of terror and constcrna-
ton. The people made haste to gather
their valuahlcs 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 ruch,
the mighty flood burst its bound, foun-
da,iOns of solidly masonary and houses
being undermined. Their inmates in
many cases were crushed. I'm those
houses near the river the water rose
rapidly and the inhabitants went to
| the upper floors and even 10 the roofs,
whore they were exposed to the full
force Of the storm. Many people thus
seeking refuge in their own houses
went down i'll the crash of their
dwellings.
People Swept Away.
| From the center of the city the
food rushed TO both sides of the
town and the people, rushing out to
flee to the mountains. were caught
and swept away
AT the time when the storm seemed
likely to abatc, and before its greatest
intensity was felt, there was great
crowd of merry-makers in the plaza
Gaming operators had scarcely 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 pco
pie were then and there drowned. a
large number of people had sought
refuge in the church OF San Diego
bmt soon were crushed to death I'm
\ hci It's iul!iilE Wills. nC prlCSI, WHO
was addressing words Of hope and cou
ISOLATION TO the people, was killed.
Four hotels and some largo shop.
were demolished or badly damaged
and some of the handsomest mansions
in the city were wrecked, with al
their rich furnishings.
The second story of Hotel Union 1:
under five feet of water.
Bands of Thieves at Work.
| Officers arc trying to preserve orda,
and to control tho bands of thieve.
who are at work pillaging shops ans
mansions.
The federal telegraph lines were In
terrnptcd for some time, hut tn,
service is now resumed, though tn.
water stands two feet in the bnilding
The bodies of the people browne,
are being taken to houses on TIL,
higher streets and the spectacle is
scrrowful one, as the streets arc file,
with mourning survivors looking 70
| Int d H.