Omaha daily bee., 1909-08-30
Weeks Before All Bodies Are Recov-
cred. if They Ever Are.
THOUSANDS ARE HOMELESS
Homes, Clubs and Churches Thrown
Open to Refugees.
MANY CAMP IN THE PLAZA
PitIfuI Scenes as water Unexpectedly
sweeps Away Homes and Carries
the Inmates Away I'm the
Flood.

LAREDO Tex, Aug Blast night in
Monterey was one Of death, desolation,
darkness and sorrow, following the tragic
inundation of Saturday, in which hundreds
Of lives were swallowed up by the torrents.
The Santa Catarina river continued at
flood height throughout the night and then
to add to the horror OF the situation the
rain continued and caused great suffering
to the thousands of homeless persons who
had congregated on the various plazas,
their only homes in the emergency. The
destructive flood. due to the continued fall
of rain for the last ninety-slx hours, swept
everything before 1t and hardly a vestigo
is left of what was a few days ago a con-
glomeration of small huts swarming with
families belonging TO the poorer classes,
and is varlously placed as containing from
400 to 1000 people.
The flood reached it's crest between and
3 o'clock and many families were swept
away with hardly a chance to fight for
their lives With the onrush of the water,
pandemonium reigned ana as the poor
wretches were swept from their homes on
the tops of which many had sought shell
ter, never for a moment anticipating that
the water would reach an unprecedented
height, pitiful appeals for assistance could
b0 Hehlu Alolhk aboNN AhN lbaA VI NAAc
waters by those on higher ground but who
were powerless to render aid of any kind.
Homes Open to Refugees.
Last night every effort was made to
shelter the women and children Homes
were thrown open to the sufferers; the po-
lice station. many of the hotels and private
clubs, as well as the rooms OF several or
ganizations were placed at the disposal OF
the authorities and for the greater part
the women and children were cared for.
However many of the men were COM
PEELED to sleep In the open in the various
plazas. Both Zaragosa and Hidalgo plazas
were crowded with people throughout the
night and great throng congregated In
this vicinity, which is on high ground. in
order to witness the rampage or the river.
Already many bodies have been recovered,
but it is impossible to accurately state the
number. 1t is learned that the police rec
ords show that 400 bodies have not been
recovered up to noon today, Yet scores
upon scores are still believed to be lodged
at various points along the stream, and It
may be weeks before they are recovered,
and many never will be found.
Ptiful scenes are reported among the
women and children. Many women have
been separated from their husbands;
mothers from their children without knowl-
edge of the whereabouts OF one another,
and scenes of the most profound grief are
witnessed on all hands
At IL o'clock this morning rain was still
falling and to add to the disaster the Santa
CRtarina had worked out for itself a new
channel, dividing into two raging streams
and separating in such a manner that an.
other and modernly constructed part Of the
town was threatened.
May Invade Business Section.
II was said that warnings had been sent
out to many of the hotels and business
houses throughout the center of the city
TO be prepared for the worst and to take
preventive measures.
This warning would not necessarily mean
that there would be any loss of life but
that the first floors OF the various build
ings might be flooded and entail a large
financial loss.
The modern portion Of the city is con.
sidered to be high enough to escape the
flood but in view of the fact that the rise
of the waters has been unprecedented, 1t
has been considered the better part Of
discretion TO at least warn all threatened
territory.
1t is thought that the damage will be far
| in excess Of first estimates as sent out in
last nights report. Monterey smelter, one
by water, from the deluBe of rain and not
as a result OF rise In the river. that is
variously estimated at from &1,O00,OOO tu
| 81, 100000
The Monterey Steel plant the only plant
| of its kind in the republic, and which cost
originally S10OOO.OOO TO construct, is reported
| to- have been damaged to the extent of
from $2,OOOOOO TO S8.OOOOOO The electric
light and railway system OF Monterey, a
modern system in every respect, which was
! constructed about three years ago by
| Canadian company, In which the Mac
Kenzes OF Toronto are heavily interested,
was damaged TO the extent Of approx
mately $,OOOOOO. The Monterey water and
sewer system suffered a loss which Is estl-
mated at 100000 or more.
Financial Loss Heavy.
This damage, together with the loss re-
sulting from the complete annihilation Of
approximately 5000 jacalas. or huts. adobe
houses and some structures Of more pre-
tentious appearance. together with their
contents all ruined by the inflow Of water
will bring the financial loss up to approx
imately S7,OOO,OOO Estimates run as high
as $4,000, OOO Both the electric light and
street railway systems and the water works
and drainage systems we're dominated by
Canadian capitalists. A hard. stiff fight
was made by Canadian companies TO Sc
cure concessions for the installation Of
these modern improvements q few years
ago and their loss will be keenly felt and
may possibly mean financial ruin TO many
| individuals.
Among the finer residences threatened by
the flood 1t is reported was that OF Gem
ersl Bernardo Reyes, but 80 far as can be
learned the flood waters did not reach tn
section Of the city where the governor re-
| sides.
Chaotic conditions still exist today Ther'
had been little effort made TO recover the
bodies. Those who lost their lives were
suddenly swept away and nothing could