The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1909-08-31
1m EXICO CITY, Aug. 30-A con-
W servative estimate of the dam

AM EXICo CITY, Aug. SO.-A con-
lWM servative estimate of the dam
age wrought at Monterey by
the flood places the dead at 1,400 and
the property loss at $12,0O0,OOO. The
river has gone down and the danger
is over.
Up to the present time, $50 bodies
have been recovered. One entire
quarter Of the city of Monterey was
destroyed, and $4,000 persons today
are homeless. The water mains are
useless and the city is consequently
without drinking water, neither is the
light or street car service in opera
tion, for the power plant has been
seriously damaged.
1t will be impossible to resume train
service for week and the city is
threatened with a food famine. The
slaughterhouses have been destroyed.
Ten thousand persons are being fed
on bread, coffee and soup by the mu-
nicipal authorities and the American
consulate is giving food to all who
apply.
Thousands of persons have sought
refuge in the cathedrals and the
churches. Many adobe structures,
soaked by the rain, are falling and
there has been some additional loss of
life from this cause.
The railroad situation is deplorable.
On the branch of the International
railroad between Monterey and here
there are a score of washouts. The
iron bridge at San Juan has gone out
and rs miles of the track of the Ma
tamoras branch have been washed out.
There are dozen washouts between
Matamoras and Cuevas, and the iron
bridge over the Rinconaga between
Saltillo and Monterey is gone. The to-
tai loss to the railroads probably will
exceed $500,000.
Eighteen blocks of residences and
business houses were entirely washed
away in Monterey. The more wealthy
people of the city, together with the
other residents, are contributing to
the mayors fund, which is being ex-
pended for food.
The greatest loss of life is said to
have been caused by the giving way
of the reservoir dam. Monterey is
situated in cup-like valley and is
surrounded on three sides by steep
mountains. The water rushed into
this valley, down the beds of the San
ia Catalina river. This stream is or
dinarily $50 yards wide, but with the
advent of the flood its banks were full
ly three-quarters of mile apart. Is
is estimated that 1S inches of rain
fell.
The federal authorities here are
busy with the organization of relief
measures. Benefit theatrical per-
formances, bull fights and fairs are
being planned. Subscription lists are
being opened all over Mexico City and
other cities of the republic are re-
spending to Monterey's appeal.
President Diaz today telegraphed
$4,000 to Monterey iVce President
Corral has contributed $4,000, and
Ambassador Thompson $1,000 to the
fund. Others are contributing liber-
ally.
The fact that the Red Cross Of the
United States is to give aid has been
learned here with profound satisfac-
tion. On behalf of the United States
government, the American ambassa-
dor has sent condolences to President
Diaz.
The national bank officials estimate
the loss in the business center OF
Monterey at $5,000,OOO.
General Reyes is said to have left
his mountain retreat and is going to
the aid of the people. Reyes is prob
ably surrounded by government
troops near the mountain town OF Ga
leana. for a fortnight. The announce
ment of his move has created gen
eral comment even in the face OF the
great disaster. Political complica-
tions are feared
Appeal for Aid. i