Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-08-09
THE TEXAS FLOOD.
Unprecedented Rains in South Part
of the State Cause Loss Of
Life and Property.
TWELVE INCHES OF RAIN.
Colorado River from Four to SIX
Miles wide and All streams
ONernowinE-2OO Miles Of
Track Washed Out.

St Louis, Aug. ga special to the
Post-Dispatch from Fort Worth, Tex,
says: Twenty-Five people are known
to have been drowned. hundreds were
rendered homeless and 100000 worth
OF property was destroyed as the re-
suit of a flood In South Texas Tues
day when the Colorado river was
forced out Of Its banks by heavy
rains.
The death list is growing hourly
and It is believed that the worst dis
aster since the Galveston flood has
visited Texas. Relief trains are cut
OF. telegraph and telephone wires are
down and the fate Of the inhabitants
OF several isolated towns is unknown.
The rush Of water came without
warning and Inhabitants at San An
gelo and Ballinger were forced to flee
for safety In their night clothes. An
entire family at Ballinger named Cook
were drowned as they attempted to
leave their homes on an improvised
raft which struck an obstruction. The
Colorado river Is from 4 to 8 miles
wide In some places and the tributa-
rles south are out OF their banks, Two
thousand cattle are killed. The Santa
Fe tracks and bridges are washed out
and traffic is at standstill. Persons
made homeless sought refuge in
churches Provisions and clothes
were rushed to the scene Of the dis
aster.
Reports from the country say the
loss Of life and damage are great. One
man on horseback was lost while try
ing to warn the Inhabitants. A mother
and three children at San Angelo per
ished in sight Of a score Of men who
were unable TO attempt q rescue. The
mother was in the upper story Of q
house in the bottoms. She was call
ing for help when the flood caused the
small house to totter and collapse.
Twelve inches Of rain fell all over
South Texas Monday night causing
all rivers to overflow their banks. Re. |
lief trains were rushed out but were
unable to reach their destination. Res. |
cue parties In boats are going from |
house to house taking people from |
second stories and carrying the dead
to morgues. Heartrending scenes
were witnessed in towns where lost |
children were hunting parents. II 10
estimated that 200 miles Of track
were washed out. The death list In
creases hourly. Telegraph offices are
besieged by crowds demanding news
nom the flooded district.
Fort Worth, Tex, Aug. 8.-Accord-
Ing to advices received here, West
Central Texas has been visited by tor
rental rains, considerable damage
dome to growing crops and railroad
traffic badly crippled. However, no
casualties, 80 far as known, have oc-
CURED and first reports sent out, It is
were greatly exaggerated.
At Denison, in the extreme northern |
edge Of the central portion Of the state
he rains amounted almost to de-
uge.
An unprecedented rainfall through
,ut portions Of the Indian territory IN
he vicinity Of Francis on the line Of
he Frisco road IL reported to have
and also along the Canadian
liver. A more sudden rise Of the river
has never been known. The approach
o the Frisco railway bridge has been
washed away and the main structure,
me mile in length, is threatened. The
liver has overflowed also in some
places and many farms are under
water.
At Francis the river is bankfull and
I an overflow should occur, great
iamage to crops will result.