Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel], August 29, 1909, Image 1

About Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911

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rtiCO PAGES
fOO 7 PARTS
VOL. XXXVI.
NI'MKKK 333
PRICE: 40 CENTS StfSSSS
800 Drowned in Flood at Monterey, Mex.; 15,000 Homeless
HARBOR IS
WEDDED TO
ANGEL CITY
Books and Moneys Turned
Over to Los Angeles
SHORT CEREMONY AS CLOCKS
STRUCK 12 YESTERDAY
MAYOR ALEXANDER PROMISES
TO MAKE PLEDGES GOOD
"Your Prosperity ts Our Prosperity"
Is Message Delivered to New
Citizens on Shores of
Paclflo
LOS ANGELES and the har
bor are consolidated!
As the town clocks of San
Pedro struck 12 yesterday noon
J. W. Walton, then president of
the San Pedro board of trustees,
turned over to George Alexander,
now mayor of the consolidated
city, the municipal affairs of San
Pedro, and Mayor Alexander ac
cepted them with a renewal of
the pledges made the harbor
cities by Los Angeles through the.
consolidation committee's plat
form.
The ceremony took place in the
council chamber of San Pedro's
city hall, where the -unfinished
dome symbolized the fact that
things are only in the beginning
at the harbor.
At the same time,, with less
ceremony and dignity, Wilming
ton was being merged under the
direction of Assistant City Attor
ney John W. Shenck of Los An
geles and Trustee Erhard Opp of
Wilmington, assisted by other
department representatives. Later
in the day. Mayor Alexander and
a party of Los Angeles and San
Pedro'citizens paid their respects
to Wilmington and admired the
city hall.
Departments Taken Over
After the ceremonious Introduction to
consolidation at San Pedro, Mayor Al
exander instructed the department
heads to take over the corresponding
departments at San Pedro. This was
done without incident except for the
refusal of Ben Batter, tax and license
collector, to turn over his books until
the accountant's examination had been
finished. The work of transfer was
completed by the police and fire de
partments, but in most of the others
details remain to be taken up to
morrow.
The Los Angeles official party head
ed for San Pedro left the Pacific Elec.
trie building at 10:50 o'clock. Mayor
Alexander, Fir" Chief Lips, Chief of
Police Dishman. Capt. A. J. Prudish,
Sergeant J. A. Smith and the. San Pe
dro squad all rode on ash tickets. The
Wilmington contingent of city officials
went down from Los Angeles on the
Gardena line and walked to the Wil
mington city hall, getting a clear and
dusty conception of the area annexed
August i.
Several hundred persons gathered at
the San Pedro city hall to witness the
making of consolidation history. May
or Walton and Mayor Alexander occu
pied seats at the tabic heretofore re
served for the'president of the, board
of trustees. Three other members of
the board, Trustees Duffy, Foot and
Tilton. were present, but would not,
with the exception of Mr. Duffy, show
themselves Inside the railing. Mr.
Duffy was the only member who
graced the occasion with a smile.
Trust Is Accepted
"Qn behalf of the citizens of San
Pedro I take pleasure." said Mayo/
Walton, "in turning over to the hon
orable mayor of Los Angeles all the
affairs of this city, together with all
the archives,- records and property."
"I take' pleasure for Los Angeles in
accepting this trust," said Mayor Al
exander. "I request the heads of de
partments to take charge of their re
spective labors.
- "That's the official part. Now I
want to say in addition that I.os An
geles has the kindest teelings for .an
Pedro and the deepest sort of an in
terest in your progress. San Pedro
and Wilmington never will regret hav
ing cast their lot with Los Angeles.
We will give them everything we
promised and much more. We want to
Improve your tire protection, and we
are going to give you very soon much
better protection than you have had;
we want to improve health regulations
and to better other conditions.
Will Keep Promises
"Every pr.,mlso made by Los Angeles In
the last campaign will be kept. We are
going to try to make things better for you
and better for us. Your prosperity Is our
prosperity.
"Let me urge that from now on we may
all be united. Whether you opposed con
solidation or were for it, now Is the time to
get together and work for the city. We
don't want any division In .an Pedro, I.et
us all work together from now on."
■ Then Mayor Alexander added: "That
closes the meeting unless some one
else has something to say."
As consolidation had been accom
plished there was nothing more to say,
and everybody filed out.
' At Wilmington A. A. Hubbard and
(Continued ou Page Three)
LOS ANGELES HERALD
YOUNG MAN WHO WILL
TAKE PLACE OF HIS
MILLIONAIRE FATHER
v>*,^ *>. **; i
gf^^^^^^^
\TEW YORK, Aug. 28.— The prln
\ clpal heir to the many millions
■*-' of Edward H. Harriman Is tho
elder of his two sons. W. Averell Har
riman. The young man is IS years old
and has undertaken the learning of the
railroad business from the ground up.
With that end In view lie ia hard at
work carrying the chain In a survey
ing gang on the Oregon Short Line, one
! of the roads In which his father has
a controlling Interest. When Mr. Har
rlraan went to Europe In search of
health Averell had his choice of how
he should spend the summer, and his
choice Included the opportunity to go
to Europe.
Fatally Shot by Divorced Wife
DALLAS, Tex., Aug. 28.—X. R. Flan
ary, superintendent of the registry de
partment of the Dallas postofflce, was
shot and fatally wounded by his di
vorced wife at noon today in the busi
ness district. The woman waa arrested.
Former Cashier Arrested
TIPTON, Ind., Aug. 28.— W. 11. Mark
er, former cashier of the First National
bank, was arrested here today In con
nection with the alleged defalcation of
$103,000 of the bank's funds some weeks
ago. He gave bond and was released.
THE NEWS SUMMARY
FORECAST
For Los Angeles and vicinity: Fair
Sunday; light west wind. Maximum
temperature yesterday, 88 degrees;
minimum, 60 degrees.
LOCAL
Big ratification meeting at Ban Pedro last
night crowds streets before city hall with
enthusiastic crowd.
Thousands of Illinois natives will see i new
Spanish dances at Plays d.I Hey September 9.
Webster Davis chosen as orator at Y. M. C.
A. anniversary at new building September 1.
Councilman Wallace tells City club members
that municipal finances arc In good condition.
More than half million dollars In cash moved
from American National bank to Citizens Na
tional in daylight.
John T. Pope, real estate dealer, announces
bis candidacy for council and outlines, his
Ideals.
t.'-t Holly. I citizens at Echo Park picnic
take vote and decide against annexation by
small margin.
Two boys escape from George Junior Re
public and are caught fit home of parents.
Machinist arrested on charge of driving
family Into street blames mother-in-law with
making trouble,
San Pedro and Wilmington arc wedded to
Los Angeles In short ceremony on banks of
harbor yesterday.
Gnmut club members propose annual art
festival to keep alive work of beautifying Los
Angeles.
Man arrested 0' charge of passing several
forged checks, each for 5.1.t0.
More than 2.0 automobiles appear on strand
at Venice In celebration of second annual auto
day.
Mrs. Grace Bnsll-Coffln-Coffln-Walker-Coffln-
Layman-Love for seventh time is married,
again becoming bride of Hugh M. Love.
COAST '
Man who has just returned to San Francisco
fiom Yosemlte valley says 1.1 Portal hotel
In unharmed by forest tires.
Land owners meet at Sacramento to discuss
widening of Sacramento and San Joaquin
rivers in order to save property from ravages
of floods.
Driver of four-horse stage saves lives of
passengers by turning animals Into embank
ment. No one killed.
Officers and craw of si.inner Ohio, wrecked
off British Columbia, are praised by pas
sengers of 111-fated ship for their bravery and
promptness.
National conservation congress, In convention
at Seattle, .adopts water-rights resolution of a
majority of the committee. '*
Justice sends two boy bandits back to crim
inal court of Santa Clara for trial.
Man arrest in San Francisco on charge of
promoting extensive colonization swindle.
Chauffeur for Karl Rogers Is killed in San
Francisco in accident. ,
EASTERN
i'aiiforiiian elected vice president of con
vention of attorneys general of states of
union held In New York.
Boiler explodes tit Carthage, Mo., and two
men are killed anil one fatally wounded.
Bullets tired In suicide pact between
sweethearts (n New York fail to accomplish
result Intended.
Minor officials of Pressed Steel Car com
pany's works at McKoe's Hocks, Pa., receive
cards threatening them with death.
Assistant Secretary Mcllarg of depart
ment of commerce and labor severely criti
cizes forestry and reclamation branches In
west.
Only rumors come from mansion of Har
linian, but visitors report him improved.
I I'OH EI ON
America. Aviator Curtiss wins Bennett
trophy at Rheims, France, and breaks the
world's record.
Count Zeppelin, delayed by head winds
and faulty mechanism, falls to complete
flight to Berlin.
SUNDAY MORNING, AUGUST 29, 1909.
OFFICERS
AND CREW
EULOGIZED
Passengers of Wrecked
Vessel Laud Sailors
CLAIM OHIO'S MEN ACTED IN
BRAVE MANNER
THREE EMPLOYES OF SHIP SAC.
RIFICED LIVES
Captain of 111-Fated Steamer Remained
at His Post and His Presence of
Mlnd Prevented Complete
Disorder
[By Aiesoclnted rr.'... j
VANCOUVER, B. C, Aug. 28.—The
stories told by the survivors of
* the Ohio disaster, who arrived
here today on the steamer Rupert City,
are full of praise for the officers mii.l
crew of the Ohio.
The three members of the Ohio's
crew who perished— Purser Frederick J.
Stephens, Wireless Operator George C.
Eccles and Quartermaster Albert M.
Anderson their lives to save
those of the passengers.
Tho soldier who was drowned, said
to bo Doc Hayes, bound for Fort Li.i
cum from Columbus, Ohio, was wedged
ln his stateroom by the twisting of the
ship.
The steerage passenger lost was
drowned while swimming to a life boat.
The Ohio's own crew took the pas
sengers to the shore of Carter bay and
then rowed to Swanson hay, where
the halibut fishing steamer Kingfisher
was at anchor. The Kingfisher has
tened to Carter bay, took the shivering
passengers and crew on board, fed and j
conveyed them to Swanson bay.
Operator Eccles' calls of distress did
not reach any steamer, for none was
within range, but they were heard at
Ketchikan and the operator gave the I
news to the Humboldt and Rupert j
City, which went luter to Swanson bay '
for the refugees. Those who wished
to go on north were carried to Juneau
on the Humboldt and the others wore '
landed at Vancouver by the Rupert
Cl»y today.
' Tells of Disaster
M. J. Heney, the Copper nicer rail- ,
road contractor, who - arrived on the (
Rupert City, said:
"It was a terrible night, pitch dark,
with heavy rain and high seas. The
Ohio struck with a shock that almost
threw us out of our berths. 1 dressed j
as best 1 could and could hear the- i
shouts of the officers calling to arouse j
everybody, and keep order.
"It was exactly 1:10 o'clock Thurs
day morning, It seems to me that the
ship struck the pointed rock on her
side. The force shook the ship till she
groaned. The captain showed remark
able presence of mind. As soon as the
ship struck he ordered full speed
ahead, and pointed toward the nearest
shore, which was Carter's bay. This
took the ship sliding off the rock, and
the fact that she slid off was what j
saved us.
"Arriving in the bay, the boats were
put off. containing women and children
first. Every man of the crew, from
the captain down, and every passen
ger. Including the women, behaved
with magnificent bravery. One woman
even was joking to keep up the spirits
of some of the others who began to
cry.
"Eccles, the wireless operator, stuck
bravely to his post till the last minute,
when the ship was sinking beneath his
feet. 1 did not see him jump, but In
dications are that ha did, for we have
his body aboard. A long, deep gash
Shows on the man's forehead, which
leads to the belief that ill jumping or
coming to the surface he Struck some
thing, rendering him unconscious. His
was the only one of the five bodies
Which was recovered.
Bravery Is Remarkable
"The bravery of everybody con
cerned was very commendable. The
wireless man stuck to his post until the
last;' the quartermaster went back to
assist the soldier who was calling out
that he could not force open the state
room door, and the crew behaved mag
nificently, leading the women and chil
dren without a particle of disorder, al
ways obeying the hoarse voice of the
captain which commanded the men and
led them In perfect order about their
work.
"Carter hay had no landing place,
and we were all in the boats when the
Kingfisher picked us up and took us to
Swanson bay. Even when about a
score were in the water there seemed
little disorder as boats rowed around
picking up the people."
,C. N. Pring of Prince Rupert said:
"1 was not fortunate enough to get
in one of the boats when they were
lowered. I felt the sh 0 begin to trem
ble under ray feet, th -h 1 knew she was
going, under, and jc^nped."
;•---; ...eves of Me.ced, Cal., said:
"I was the roo'/mute of the soldier
who lost his lif/ When I heard the
call for everybody to get up the sol
dier and I a /coke simultaneously. I
did not wait '/> put on my clothes, but
went out right away. The soldier
waited to dress. The ship had listed
when she struck on another rock after
reaching Carter bay and after I got out
of the cabin the door was wedged and
locked the soldier in.
Tried to Aid Companion
"I was talking to him and trying to
assist Quartermaster Anderson to do
something. I passed Anderson on my
way back from the compantonway.
He was carrying a lantern and trying
to aid the soldier. 1 was going to call
more aid, as we were not strong enough
to break in the door.
The ship suddenly begun to settle
and I raced for the upper deck.
"Just as the ship was sinkings I
leaped off and saw.Anderson with his
(Continued on Page Ten)
Steamer in Which Wireless Operator
Gave Up Life to Save 200 Persons
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SHROUD ARDEN
WITH MYSTERY
EMPLOYES GUARD MAGNATE
FROM PUBLIC
Only Rumors Come Out from Mansion
of Railroad King, Although
Visitors Say He Is
Looking Well
AI.I.KN'. _ V., Aug. 28.—I'd ward 11.
-lurrlinan, notwithstanding the flurry
of yesterday. Is not to undergo a surgical
operation at present. Aside from this
derision the most important Incident
bearing upon his Illness today was a
visit from Jacob 11. M-hltr, the New
York banker, the tint prominent figure
In the tlnunclnl world to see Mr. liar
rlmiin since lei. return from Kuropr. .Mr.
-.. ''ill came apparently with the Idea of
ascertaining just how ill Mr. Ilarrlman
Is. He did not talk business, and when
he left he said: "Mr. Harrlman Is bit
ter.''
On authority that could not he con
firmed H was learned that after a con
sultation physicians reported today to
the family and to the Interests in Wall
street most deeply concerned It was best
to let the patient make a full trial of
the "after cure."
|By Associated Press.
ARDEN. N. V., Aug. 28.—Evidence
began to collect today that prepara
| tions wore under way at the home of
K. H. Harriman for some unusual
event.
Whether this event ,is a surgical
operation or only a consultation of
Physicians, or whether the apparently
significant happenings of the. . last
twenty-four hours have no bearing at
all upon the physical condition of the
railroad magnate, is something at this
time that cannot be definitely settled
by those outside tiie Harriman house
hold.
There was no atmosphere of excite
ment about the house or estate yes
terday.
Mr. Harrlman, they say, walks about
the house without support.
The most satisfactory first-hand re
port on Harriman's condition coming
from anyone outside tho household has
been obtained from the Rev. J. H. Mc-
Gulnus, rector of the Episcopal church
at Chester, who passed more than an
hour with Mr. Harriman yesterday. ■
Found Magnate Better
"When I drove over to Mr. Harri
man's home," said the clergyman, "I
feared I should not be able to see him
on account of alarming reports of his
condition. tin the contrary, I found*
him looking much better than 1 ex
pected. His handshake is firm and to
me lie looks better than when ho went
to Europe."
Dr. McOulnus absolutely refused to
tell whether he. saw anything during
his visit that would confirm reports of
a possible fftndlng operation.
Jacob 11. SchilT was brought down
from the Harriman house this after
noon in an automobile and caught the
1:46 train from here for New York city.
He said he had a talk with Mr. Hat
rlman, and denied that lie was In such
condition that an operation was neccs-
sary. ,
No operation was contemplated, Mr.
Schiff said.
"Mr. Harrlman was in good spirits
and feeling pretty well, said Mr.
slhifr.
Draw Cordon Closer
The Importance attached to Mr,
Schlff's visit was shown, by the fact |
that a through express train was
stopped Anion today to permit the '
banker to alight. This was done at the
request of an employe of the Harrlman
estate, who three hour? later returned j
with an automobile to meet this train !
when it stopped at Arden, >
Mr. Schllf stepped off the train and
was driven up the steep road leading
to the Ilarrlman house. Mr. Schiff re
mained only a short time in the house.
The circle around Mr. Ilarrlman was
drawn today closer than ever. William
McClellan, the superintendent of the
Hurrlman dairies, drove to the post
office and general store and gave orders
that no newspaper men or strangers
should be allowed to use the telephone.
This order, it was found, applied to
the whole line. The telephones ln Ar
den and Turner are all on this line,
which is a private one under Mr. Mc-
(Continued on Fage Ten)
STEAMSHIP OHIO, sunk ln Hlsh-
Kish narrows, off British Colum
bia, Thursday night. The picture
shown here was taken while the vessel
was In the Ice en route to the Klondike
In 1904. The photograph was loaned
The Herald by D. F. Robertson, man
ager of the steamship department of
the German-American Savings bank,
who was purser of the Ohio from 1900
to 1905.
PROMOTER MUST
ANSWER CHARGE
GET RICH QUICK SCHEME IS
BLIGHTED
Man Reported to Have Sold Large
Blocks ol Property in Hypo
thetical Colony Is Placed
In Jail ■:
(By Associated Press.]
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. John
Adolph Miller, president of tho Co
operative Colonization society of Cali
fornia, was arrested today on a charge
The trio makes one of the strongest
mittcd ln connection with the promo
tion of the El Primro colony in Men
docino county. In default of $10,000 bail
lie was sent to prison.
The arrest was made 0.. complaint
of Lewis Van Hove, a restaurant man,
who says he was Induced by Miller to
sell his establishment at auction and
invest the proceeds, nearly $2000, in
the colony which ho was told con
sisted of 10,300 acres of valuable land'
on which were hotels, mills, walnut
groves, cattle and alfalfa. -
After being made a director In the
company ho went to Mendocino county
and discovered all lt possessed was an
option on a small tract of land owned
by tho Western Cattle company.
Detectives placed on the ease en
trapped Miller Into making a similar
proposition to them and the arrest fol
lowed this verification of Van Hove's
story.
Numerous other persons with charges
of similar nature have come forward
and the police say the books of Miller's
concern show that more than 500 peo
ple have been Induced by him to part
with from $100 to $5000 each. . ,
LOAN SWINDLER IS HELD
ON COMPLAINT OF FARMERS
Second Financier Arrested for Alleged
Unlawful Scheme Whereby He
Gained $10,000
VANCOUVER. B. C, Aug. 28.— W. W.
Smith, who is alleged to havo swindled
Oregon, Idaho and eastern Washington
farmers out of more than $10,000 by
agreeing to make loans on their prop
erty and then collecting a fee of I
per cent of the promised loan, which
was never made, was arrested here last
night. -
In Seattle Smith wore a heavy bead
of hair and a pointed beard. Here he
was quite bald and smooth shaven. He
was about to begin business ln Van
couver as the Death Valley Grubstake
company, when arrested.,
BULLETS FIRED IN
SUICIDE PACT FAIL
TO RESULT IN DEATH
NKW YORK, Aug. 88.—"The blindness
of love" will be it sad truth for -.the
young Brooklyn couple who attempted to
leave this life through a suicide past.
The bullet which was fired into Florence
Woods' head will cause her to-lose her,
sight In at leiist one eye, and the other
bullet bus a similar fate in store for her
sweetheart, .''rank Williamson.
While Williamson declares be shot the
girl before shooting himself, the police
believe Miss Wood tired the shot at her
self and then Williamson took the
weapon from her and endeavored to ful
-1111 the agreement between them by
shooting himself. One bright spot looms
up out of the tragedy, and that is that
both will recover and as each declares
undying love It Is likely that they will
marry "and live happily ever after.'*
CTVPT I. _'_ .Pl'l^W- I>AII.V. a».j SINDAV, 5o
J". I IM* 1..!.. _AM 11 _>">. ON trains, .-. cents
SHOULD LIMIT
WATER RIGHTS
CONGRESS ADOPTS COMMIT
TEE RESOLUTION
Former Governor Pardee of California
Is Stanch Supporter of Plnchot's
Policies Regarding Resources
and Opposes Measure
SI.ATTI.K, Aug. 28.—The national
conservation congress today effected a
permanent organization, adopted a radi
cal water right resolution after a vigor
ous debate in which outspoken senti
ment was expressed by a majority of the
delegates, listened to addresses by Sec
retary of the Interior Balllnger, I'rancls
J. Heney, the San Francisco prosecutor,
and by Chief Forester Gilford I'lnchot,
and adjourned.
Secretary Ballioger arrived this after
noon from eastern Washington. Mr.
Balllnger was escorted at once to the
convention at tbe Alaska-Yukon-Pacific,
exposition, where he spoke for a few
minutes.
TRy Associated Press.}
SEATTLE, Aug. 28.—The National
Conservation congress today adopted
the water rights resolution of the ma
jority of the committee.
This is the resolution championed by
former Governor George C. Pardee of
California and favored-by Chief Fores
ter Gifford Pinchot.
Tho resolution is similar to that
adopted by the recent Irrigation con
gress at Spokane. He declares that the
federal government ought to limit
grants of water rights to a reasonable
definite time and exact an annual tax
on them. The resolution was drawn by
Dr. W. J. McGee, the soil-water ex
pert. ■'. . . '
■ Judge Hanford Introduced a resolu
tion, which he offered as a substitute,
setting forth it was the promise of land
and water rights that drew the settlers
to tho west and that it was the same
attraction that is now developing- it.
Governor Pardee and Judge Hanford
led the respective sides in tho debate
on the floor of the congress today. The
majority for the McGee resolution was
large. Other resolutions adopted in
dorse the forestry and reclamation
bureaus, recommend the creation of a
national bureau of mines, Indorse the
National Conservation commission and
urges congress to make an appropria
tion to carry on the commission work
and favor admission of Arizona and
New Mexico as states.
Form Permanent Organization
The congress formed a permanent or
ganization and elected these officers:
President—Bernard N. Baker of Bal
timore, Mel. /
Secretary—L. G. Brown of Seattle,
Wash.
Executive committee—J. D.' White,
Missouri; Libert P. Bailey, New York;
J. N. Teal, Portland, Ore.; J. E. Hardt
ner, Louisiana; W. J. Fleming Jones,
New Mexico; A. B. Farquhar, York,
Pa.; Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, Washington;
Thomas Burke, Seattle.
The last day's session of the con
gress opened In the Fine Arts hall at
the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific exposition
today,, with delegates anxious to hurry
through with the set program and to
take up the report of the committee
on resolutions, which has furnished the
only opportunity for hostilities be
tween the supporters of the Pinchot
and Ballinger policies since the con
gress opened Thursday morning.
The majority of the committee re
ported a resolution to tho effect that
the government ought to limit grants
and water rights to a reasonable and
definite time and fix an annual tax
upon them.
Pardee Supports Resolution
The resolution, which was patterned
after one made by ' the national Irri
gation congress at its recent meeting
in Spokane, found an ardent advocate
in former Governor George C. Pardee
of California, who had been one of the
leading supporters of the policies of
Chief Forester Pinchot,' while United
States District Judge Hanford of Seat
tle took an active part in opposing the
resolution.
|^ CENTS
MONTEREY
SCENE OF
DISASTER
Mexico City Is in Complete
Darkness
PROPERTY LOSS FROM DELUGF
RUNS INTO MILLIONS
I UNITED STATES IS ASKED TO EX-
TEND ASSISTANCE
For Seventy.two Hours Rain Fell in
Torrents and Four City Blocks
Have Completely Dis
appeared
'By Associated Press.]
MONTEREY, Mexico, Aug. 28.—
' Eight hundred persons have
been drowned as a result of a
flood, which still continues at Mon
terey. Fifteen thousand people are
homeless and the damage is not less
than $12,000,000. The city is in dark
ness. Among the losses are:
The Monterey Steel company, $1,000,
--000; the Mexican Smelter and Lead
company, $3,000,000.
The city bogs aid from the United
States. #
The scene in the flood-swept section
of Monterey tonight is one of utter
desolation. Four city blocks on tho
south side have completely disap
peared.
For seventy-two hours rain has
fallen in unprecedented volumo
throughout this section, and the Santa
Catarina river rose gradually all day
Friday, the crest of the flood reaching
Monterey early today. At first it was
thought that there would be no lose.
of life, but the water had reached ft
height never before attained and swept
buildings from their foundations by
the score. The electric light plant was
put out of commission last night an.l
complete darkness has an added horror.
Cries of the. drowning could be heard,
I but the onlookers were powerless to
I render aid. When daylight came the
scene was indescribable. All through
the flooded districts groups could be
seen huddled on the tops of two-story
buildings, entirely surrounded by a
seething mass of water. One by ono
these houses appeared with their hu
man freight. Nothing could live in the
wild current, which was running at
the- rate of twenty miles.
During the early morning hours the
water remained stationary, and it was
noon before a fall of four feet began..
By 4 o'clock this afternoon the river
was back In its banks, only to go out of
them again at 6 o'clock because of the
continued downpour of rain. The great
steel plant at Monterey suffered a loss
of nearly a million dollars by the flood,
and the smelter of the Mexican Lead
company is cut off from the city and
submerged. It Is estimated that tho
loss at this plant will be over $3,000,000/
The Santa Cartarina river runs al
most directly through tho center of
Monterey. Along its right banks is
located the suburb Of San Lulslto, in
habited by the poorer element. It was
in this section that ihe greatest loss of
life occurred. For the greater part the
suburb is composed of one-story ado
bes.
When the flood waters struck these
buildings they collapsed as though
composed of paper and buried their
inmates beneath a mass of debris in
such a manner that they had abso
lutely no opportunity to escape. Many
families remained in their dwellings
until compelled to seek refugo on tho
roofs, but too late, for they found
themselves entirely surrounded by
water and at the mercy of the raging
stream. „ „
For many months throughout the
year the Santa Catarina river is a dry
bed, absolutely devoid of water, but
during tho rainy season it becomes an
important stream.
The Santa Catarina river has broken
its banks and flooded a large portion
of the city on both sides. No Amer
icans were drowned.
The food situation in the city is very
serious, as no rail connections are left.
The flood •has destroyed the water
mains and the city's abbatoirs.
' Most Disastrous Flood
Word reached here late this afternoon
of one of the most disastrous floods
ever known In northern Mexico. It was
caused by the overflow of. the Santa
Catarina river. According to rumors,
many lives were lost, some estimates
being as high as 1000. This Is believed
to be a gross exaggeration. The finan
cial damage is estimated at from $1,
--000,000 to $2,000,000.
For tho last forty-eight hours a ver
itable deluge of rain has been falling,
which, together with the flow of water
from the adjacent mountains Into the
Santa Catarina river, so swelled that
stream that it reached a width of a
mile and a half and completely over
flowed certain portions of the city of
Monterey, wrecked houses and causing
loss of life.
It is certain that the flood was tha
most disastrous in the memory of tho
oldest Inhabitants and that the loss of
life will be great. - V-;
Not a train from Mexico has reached
this city thus far today. Telegraphic
communication is crippled and the
exact location of some trains is un
known. ••:.•'
In the city of Monterey telephone
communication is Impossible, tho elec
tric light plant Is flooded with water
and out of commission, the city's car
service is paralyzed and the water sup
ply Is crippled. '■' iv
_ . _ _«
Ship's Second Officer Drowned
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. News
has been received here that-Guy Me
deriaft, second officer of the ship Ed
ward Sowell, was washed overboard
and drowned during a storm off Capo
Horn. He was the son of K. C. Mederi
aft of the Union Assurance company.