The Evening Tribune. “Flood And Famine:” Relief Efforts During The Great Brazos River Flood Of 1899

THE EVENING TRIBUNE OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1899, VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 30

Publication: The Evening Tribune, July 6, 1899, San Diego

First edition. 19-1/4" x 14-1/2." The issue is complete with eight pages. Published while the Great Brazos Flood was still unfolding, this issue carries extensive front-page reporting under the striking headline "FLOOD AND FAMINE," followed by the subheads "Hundreds of Texans in Inundated Districts May Starve," "Relief Boats Delayed," and "Exhausted Negroes Fall from Trees and are Drowned --- Awful Disaster Feared at Richmond."

Reports from the flooded region describe increasingly desperate conditions as communities struggled to reach the stranded and provide food and other assistance. From Sealy came word that conditions were growing worse and that no relief boats had yet arrived from Houston or Galveston, while Sealy and neighboring towns had "about exhausted their resources for relief." The human toll is vividly conveyed in reports of flood victims taking refuge in treetops, with the newspaper stating that a number had fallen into the water from "sheer exhaustion" after hanging there for three days and nights. With portions of Fort Bend County cut off, the full extent of the disaster near Richmond remained unknown.

Under the heading "UNCLE SAM ASSISTS," the newspaper reports that the War Department had granted the request of the Governor of Texas for assistance, with available government boats to be placed at his disposal and requested rations to be issued immediately. Another report, headed "HELP FOR THE DESTITUTE," states that James Collinson, superintendent of machinery for the Santa Fe road, left on a special train for the flooded district carrying provisions for the destitute. Twenty-five fully manned and provisioned rowboats were taken to "save life and property," while Representative Flower asked Governor Joseph D. Sayers to call a special session of the legislature to provide relief for the sufferers.

Transportation throughout the region was also severely disrupted. The Santa Fe main line had been abandoned between Galveston and the Brazos River, although trains west of the river continued to run on schedule. The Southern Pacific and Missouri, Kansas and Texas bridges across the Brazos were reported to have been swept away, further complicating efforts to reach the inundated communities.

The importance of this issue is its contemporary reporting on both the human suffering caused by the flood and the relief effort being organized while the disaster was still unfolding. It documents not only people struggling to survive, but the practical response...boats, provisions, rail transportation, state action and federal assistance...being mobilized to reach the sufferers.

A few small binding holes along the spine and light creasing, else very good. Housed in a 24" x 18" custom protective folder constructed of acid-free Perma-Dur stock and clear Mylar archival polyester film.