Orleans County Monitor

TERRIBLE DISASTER.

The most terrible disaster by flood that has ever occurred in this country, with the possible exception of the Mill River one, in 1874—threatening, indeed, to exceed that in loss of life—occurred during a cyclone, on the 16th inst., on the Texas coast, resulting in the almost total destruction of the town of Indianola, the capital of Calhoun county, Texas, 120 miles south of Galveston. Light-houses, wharves, business houses and dwellings were broken to pieces or swept away, and only five business houses are left, out of a town of 3500 population, inhabitants mostly engaged in mercantile pursuits. Railroads were washed away, and houses, fences and trees piled up in broken masses in the streets. On Thursday morning, the 16th, the easterly wind which had been blowing strongly the day before, increased to a gale; the water was waist deep; every man, woman and child was seeking a place of safety. In two hours the wind blew fearfully, and the situation was awful, according to accounts. Screams from women and children could be heard in every direction, and the water soon increased to six feet in depth. About 2 o'clock, Friday morning, the wind veered to the northwest, the waves became chopped, and the houses were washed away or tumbled to pieces. Broad daylight revealed a scene that was terrible to behold. The town could not be recognized as the Indianola of the day previous. Ruin, total ruin everywhere. All the churches were swept away. Bodies of men, women and children were found in all directions. The number of lives lost will never be known, as there were a large number of strangers in town: but it is estimated all the way from one to two hundred. Women and men, also, were found, miles away, who had floated off on doors or anything they could get hold of. Some were beneath roofs which had been carried away long distances. Many persons were picked up who had been out on rafts for hours. There was also great destruction of property at Galveston, and many other places along the coast.