John Phillips to Sayers, July 6, 1899
From June 17 to June 28, 1899, between 10 and 20 inches
of rainfall poured onto the area from Temple to Palestine and south
to Victoria and Houston, with approximate 30 inches falling in Hearne.
The Brazos River overflowed its banks and inundated 12,000 square
miles. Damage to crops, farm equipment, and homes was estimated at
over $9 million. 284 people were killed and thousands made homeless,
with African American tenant farmers especially hard hit. At some
points the waters rose above all available flood gauges.
"Texas
Rising "
"Texas
Rising "
John Phillips to Sayers, July 6, 1899,
Records of Joseph Draper Sayers, Texas Office of the Governor, Archives
and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives
Commission.
