The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-07-04
WATER SWEEPS DOWN AND
ENGULFS AN ENTIRE CITY
Women and Children Are Crushed In
the Frantic Rush for Mountains
and Other Places of
Safety. itNli

Guantajuato, Mex, July 3.-Loss of life
variously estimated az more than 200 and
less than one thousand persons and prop
erty damage 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 clourburst. Federal tele-
graph service has been restored and the
authorities are rapidly bringing order out
of chaos
Great suffering is prevalent, but aid is
being received from surrounding towns
and semblance of normal conditions,
1t is believed, will soon be reached
Burial of the dead is progressing rap
idly, although many bodies are thought
to be among the ruins of houses and
difficult to locate.
Unparalleled In City's History.
The disaster that has come upon this
city is unparalleled in its long history
during which many floods have been rec
orded in times past.
Guantajuato, owing to its situation in
a great ravine or gorge, has been SUBJ
jected 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. By O'clock Saturday after
noon clouds banked up and threatening
in the northeast and within less than
| twenty minutes rain came down in tor
rents and the water surged down the
high streets with great violence.
Part of the river which was built over
with masonery, burst through, augment
ing the flood and the scene became one
of terror and CONSERVATION. The people
made haste to gather their valuables
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
bound. Foundations built solidly of
masonery and houses being undermined
and many buildings fell with a crash
Their inmates in many cases were crush
ed beneath the falling masonry. In those
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 buildings.
People Flee to Mountains.
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
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 table. Many people were then and
there drowned.
Each man fought his way out of the
flood, trampling down whomever came in
his way and thus many women and chill
dren perished. A large number of peo-
pie had sought refuge in the church of
San Diego. but soon We're 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 injured, and some
of the noblest mansions in the city were
wrecked with all their rich furnishings.
The large building occupied by Dwight
Furness as the consulate was flooded to
the 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 second floor of the Hotel Union is
under five feet of water.
PiIIagers Get Busy.
The governor and states and city au-
thorities have worked day and night try
ing to preserve order and to control the
bands of thieves who are hazarding their
lives in the work of pillagfng the shops.
The old electric plant was destroyed,
but the new plant was saved.
The federal telegraph lines were In
terrupted for some time, but the service
Is now resumed. though the water stands
two feet in the building. The bodies Of the
people drowned are being taken to houses
in the higher streets and the spectacle
is sorrowful one as the streets are
filled with mourning survivors looking for
their dead.
Estimates of the loss of life differ great
ly ranging from two hundred to over
one thousand and 1t is probable that
many bodies will be found under the ruins
of houses.
The catastrophe was brought on by a
cloudburst and as the city is situated
partly on the mountain side and partly
In the valley. ii would be impossible to
avoid a disaster.
The famous La Ola dam is intact
though at one time 1t was believed to
have burst.
The money loss is hard to estimate
and may reach over million dollars
Many people are still camping in me
mouptains. The authorities ard federal