The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1921-09-14
..SEvfNTY.fNE LOSE LIVES
IN TEXAS FLOOD
: Workers Search Ruins Of 1000
Homes for Bodies OF
Victims

odu AutOuiO, ACAoo, oCPS' AV'
(. Darkened, mud stained San Antonio
tonight was searching for its dead.
Flood waters that devastated the
business section and the Mexican
residential district during the day
had receded by nghtfall. Impera-
/. tive relief work was Immediately
started by an army of soldiers, Red
Cross workers and civilian volun-
teers.
Forty-one bodies had been recov-
cred at O'Clock tonight with as
many more being sought in the mud
drenched ruins of the residence dis
: trict.
The death toll was placed off,
cially at 75 by Mayor o. B.. Black
at the same hour. The property
damage will reach $4,000, 900, it
was officiall announced. More than
FIVE thousand are homeless.
1000 Homes Wrecked
Relief measures were centered on
preventing an epidemic of pestilence
The flood wiped out the city's drain
age and filtering systems, cutting
off all sewers and its supply of
drinking water.
More than one thousand homes
and twenty blocks Of the business
I. district were wrecked.
A temporary morgue has been es-
tablished at the Central fire and
police station, to which the soldiers
and police have been directed to
bring all bodies for Identification.
Soldiers and police are patrolling
the downtown district to prevent
looting in the stores, a portion Of
the district being declared closed to
all traffic except that absolutely nee
essary in rescue work and salvaging.
Relief Fund Opened
A relief fund subscription has
been opened in the city and gener-
-ous contributions have already come
in.
Before waters began to recede,
Saturday morning an area estimated
at two miles wide and six miles long
including the larger part of the
business district of San Antonio, had
been swept in the worst flood in the
last thirty years.
Among the buildings damaged
are some of the finest in the city.
The Gunter Hotel, at Houston
and st. Mary's streets, at one time
had water standing almost to. the
mezzanine floor. The St. Anthony
Hotel, on Travis street, also suffer-
ed, as well as several smaller hotels
in the downtown district.
Alamo Escapes
The Alamo, "The Cradle of Texas
Liberty" escaped damage by waters
due to its elevation.
San Antonio is city of about
175.000 people. Besides being the
largest city in Texas. 1t is also the
military headquarters for Texas and
New Mexico and has a division sta
toned here.
Troops under Colonel Porter op-
ened headquarters in the federal
building shortly after midnight and
are patrolling the city and aiding in
rescue work.
Both banks of the San Antonio
river are. strewn with the wreckage
Of houses. A number Of automo-
biles were swept away.
Newspaper plants were flooded
but the San Antonio Light succeeded
In issuing an extra on hand press
at 6 a. m.
Alarming reports of loss of life in
the valley Of the San Antonio river
south of the city are coming in but
The Light is unable to confirm them.
Many Lose Lives
1t is believed that the greatest
loss Of life occurred In the Mexican
district. Residents in that section
we're unable to get out though aid
ID throughout the night by hremen
md police and troops from fort
lam Houston.
At a. m, Phil Wright. commits
Iioner Of fire and police. stated be
'elieved the loss Of life to be Every !
Ugh" He could give no definite
lgures. He had Just completed a
our Of the flooded district. !
Cause Of Flood 4
An unprecedented rainfall which
sean st midnisht Wednesday and
entinued throughout Friday and 4
'eiday night caused the Hood. At
llnf eiGht inches Of rain fell during a
&m nor1ok warlv Iaef nirhf fhs~o'' .