The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-05
Crest of Swollen Brazos
Continues to Do Great
Damage
TOTAL LOSS OF LIFE
REPORTED AT "a
Property Damage Is Estimated at Be-
tween One and Two Million Dol
lars-Cessation of Heavy
Rains Brings Relief

Dallas, Tex, December 4-The Texas
flood center shifted southward tonight
toward the gulf. centcring from Hcarne
to Richmond, where the Brazos rivers
big crest continued 40 do great damage
and cause some loss of life. Al the same
time the general flood situation Inn
proved when rains began 10 let up after
three days continuous downpour over
and west Texas began 10 falI slowly.
Before relief came, the floods had
overspread five large river basins,
from the headwaters of the Sabine In
northeast Texas to the san ADtonio
river In the southwest.
The total loss of life early tonight stood
at "A. Property damage estimates ranged
between one and two million, with Waco
and San Antonio as the heaviest indi-
vidual sufferers. The San Antonio loss
was a quarter million, and Waeos
damage was expected to be as great
Militia on Duty
In Waco. as the water receded pilfering
began, and militia was put on duty in
East Waco this afternoon to guard prop
erty in deserted houses and stores. Waco
this afternoon also reported its first fatal
tiles, when J. w. Ray and c. Mcdaniel
fell from a bridge into the Brazos and
We're given up for drowned.
From Hearne, where seven negroes
were drowned today in the unexpected
rush of the Brazos rise. It was reported
that houses horses, mules and cattle
could be seen floating down the river.
Several hundred Mexicans and negroes
fled from Valley Junction to Hearne.
when the water began floating away bales
of cotton at the junction. The Brazos
levee 27 miles in length, near Bryan,
was reported holding well, with the water
within three feet of its top The state
Agricultural and Mechanical college at
College station. which was without lights
last night on account of floods. reported
that miles of farm lands bordering on
the Brazos were under water In that sec
ton, At Richmond warnings We're sent
out for every one to get out of the
Brazos loWlands Immediately.
San Marcos near San Antonio, was
caught in serious flood, which lasted
only a few hours, when Purgatory creek
and the San Marcos river suddenly went
out of their banks early today Consid-
cos. At the town of Belton ferry boat
was being built today for use near the
center of the city over what are ordinar-
lily good city streets.
Livestock Drowned
The Colorado river near Wharton was
reported to have drowned considerable
live stock
Austin, Waco. Cameron and several
small towns have had no train service
for two days. Near Terrell today mile
OF track in the Sabine river bottoms on
the Midland line was supplied with unique
safety devices when to prevent slipping
in the treacherous ground, chains were
stretched along the rails at spots to
nearby trees. At Vernon, on the Okla
homa line part of the Frisco railway
bridges over the Red and Pease rivers
went out.
Vernon Hayes, the rural mail carrier,
reported missing at Hllsboro last night,
returned safely today after being held
up by high water on his route for "A
hours.
The list of drowned tonight was:
Bolton, 81 Brownwood, Il Dallas, g.
Grand Prairie, /: Highbank q Austin. g.;
Hearn, 7; Waco, 2.
Late tonight the Brazos river at Bryan
topped the 27-mile levee which protects
three counties and began flooding the
1owlands. Fears were expressed that a
break was imminent.
Late tonight the last of the 105 pas
sengers marooned on train near Mar
lin were rescued.