The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-08-30
BULLETIN.

Laredo, Tex, Aug. 50.--with a par
tial re-establishment of communica-
ton with the flooded section of north
ern Mexico today. reports as to the
loss OF life and property damage were
confirmed. Semi-official advices state
that 400 dead bodies had been recover
ed in Monterey Sunday. The pro-
perty damage is variously estimated
from s5.OOO.00O to s12,OOO,O0o. Rail-
road traffic between Laredo and SAL
tillo is suspended
Mexico City. Aug. 3O.--A conserva-
\ tive estimate OF the damage wrought
at Monterey by the flood places the
dead at 1,400 and property loss at
| 81, 100000.
The river mas now 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 wa
ter mains are useless and the city In
consequently without drinking water.
Neither is there light nor street car
service for the power plant has been
seriously damaged. 1t will be irnpos-
sible to resume train service for a
week and as result the city Is threat
ened with a food famine. Slaughter
houses have been restroyed
Ten thousand persons are being fed
on bread. coffee and so forth, by the
municipal authorities. The American
consulate is giving food to all who
apply. Thousands of persons have
taken refuge in the cathedral and the
churches. Many adobe structures
soaked by rain, are falling and there
has been some additional loss or life
from this cause.
Rail Situation DepIorabIe.
The railroad situation is depIorable.
The branch OF the international be-
tween Monterey and Tsmpico suggests
score OF wasnouts. An iron bridge
at San Juan has gone and seventy-five
miles OF track OF the Matamoras
branch have been washed out. There
are a dozen washouts between Mata-
moras and Cuevas, and the big iron
bridge over the Rinconaga between
Salille and Monterey is gone The
total OF the loss to the railroads is
not definitely known, but It will ex-
ceed 100000.
| Eighteen blocks OF residences and
business houses are entirely washed
away. The more wealthy people OF
Monterey together with American res
idents are contributing to the mayors
fund. which is being expended for the
purpose OF food.
Greatest Loss OF Life.
The greatest loss OF life is said TO
have been caused by the giving away
of the reservoir dam. Monterey is sit
uated in a cuplike valley and is sur
rounded on three sides by steep noun
tains. The water rushed into this
valley down the bed of the Santa Cat
alma river. This stream is ordinarily
$50 yards wide, but with the advent OF
the flood, its banks were fully three
| quarters Of mile apart 1t is esti-
mated that eighteen inches Of rain fell.
The federal authorities here are busy
with the organization OF relief meas
ures. Benefit theatrical performances,
bull fights and fairs are being planned.
Subscription lists are being opened all
over Mexico City and other cities are
responding to Monterey's urgent cah
for assistance.
Early Story Of Disaster.
Monterey, Mexico. Aug. s0.--Eight
hundred persons drowned. 1900 home
less and property damaged to the ex-
tent OF s12,O00.000 is the result OF
food which struck this city between
and 2 O'Clock Saturday morning,
The scene in the flood swept section
OF Monterey last night was one Of ut
ter desolation. Four city blocks on the
south side have completely disappear
ed
For seventy two hours rain has fall
en- In unprecedented volume through
out this section and the Santa catarina
river rose gradually all day Friday.
the crest OF the food reaching Mon-
terey early Saturday AT first 1t was
thought that there would be no loss
OF life but the water reached height
never before attained and swept build
ings from their foundations by the
score. The electric light plant was put
out OF commission last night and tho
complete darkness was an added hor-
ror. Cries of the drowning could De
heard. but the onIookers were power
less to render aid.