Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-06-14
Merchant Swings Shovel At
Laborer's Side Digging Pueblo
From Mud, AmericusLa LadWrites

Auoth,r liter, written a week af-
ter the flood struck, has come TO his
parents here from Brooks Williams,
son of Mr.. and Mrs. G. l.. Williams,
who has resided in Pueblo, Colo, for
the last several months, feelings in a
more graphic manner than his first
of the terrible conditions existing
in the stricken city. his letter fol-
lows, eXcent for the dcletion Of some
purely pc lal references:
"Pueblo, Colo, Friday night, June
10, Writing by candle
light certainly turns back the wheels
of time in one sense for it is even
more ancient than kerosene lamp
and not nearly so brilliant. And, too,
| am so tired out that | can hardly
Wiggle, much less think. Floods arc
more conducive to universal labor
than ANYTHING ! know of. For the
last week for the flood hit US one
week ago tonight) the merchant has
been shoVcling mud and dragging de
bris along side of the most humble
Mexican Men, women and children
have Joined in one universal intent,
to clear away the enormous amount
of wreckage and collect together
again what remains of homes or
merchandise.
In hundreds and hundreds of cases
the homes may be washed far from
their original location or in lucky
cases it may be only turned on It's
side or possibly just turned around
on its foundation. House Furnishings
excepting iron beds and the like are
ruined beyond repair as are all the
beautiful pianos, Victrolas, p0hShed
show cases, woodwork, ETC., IN the
various business houses.
"The streets of Pueblo today, al
ter one week, present an unforget-
able sight of heaped mud piles, de
bris. timbers and unlimited variety
of merchandise brought from the
flooded stores. House tops, side
walks, public parks and in fact all
available space is being used IN the
Universal occupation of washing of
the mud and drying out. And as II
some avenging fate were looking on
+he several days just after Saturday
were dark, dismal and rainy-nothlng
couId he dried. Today is the first
dav that no rain has fallen and 1t
has heen most extraordinarily warm
Ali GOOD conditions for those who
were flooded out.
"Tw0 of the main thoroughfares
through the lower business sections
and where the drainage was heaVlest
have been opened by heaplng the OBJ
structions and mud to each side. Even
this though has cost an enormous
amount of labor. Cleaning work Is
progressing at a remarkable rate now
ever under the supervision of the
engineering organizations and army
cn@incers Thousands of men are
work in shifts accordingly schedule
aud definite program, opening up
streets and removing the trash. 9th
or thousands working for publlc|
hcalth and public safety departments
arc numping out easements OF stores
or attending to buildings made un-
safe. ..,
"The various public utilities are al
so straining every nerve TO resume
service. To date, however, none
have made considerable headway TO-
ward resuming complete service
The light system is completely para
WED Water. gas and telephones
have been partly resumed. The water,
however it is almost unbearaole,
though. even to bath in and and Isl
impossible to drink except after boil
ING, 1t has sickening oGor of al
kali. Severe restrictions as to its use
arc in force. Gas service in part