Folsom, NM Storm and Flooding, Aug 1908 - Destroyed by Flood

FOLSOM, N. M., IS DESTROYED BY FLOOD

HOUSES SWEPT AWAY, MANY DEAD AND PROPERTY LOSS ONE MILLION

Eleven Bodies Have Been Already Recovered and Many More Are Expected to Be Found – Elevation Is Over 7,000 Feet and Danger of Floods Is Constant.

Trinidad, Colo., Aug. 18. – A flood in the Cimmaron river following a cloudburst washed out a number of dwellings at Folsom, New Mexico, last night. Fifteen persons are reported drowned. Eleven bodies have been recovered. Ten miles of track and twelve bridges on the Colorado & Southern railroad are washed out. Trains have been laid out forty-eight hours.

The known dead are: R. B. WENGER, MRS. R. B. WENGER, MISS DAISY WENGER, MISS LUCY CREIGHTON, T. W. WHEELER, T. W. WHEELER, MRS. T. W. WHEELER, three WHEELER CHILDREN, MRS. ROCKE, T. W. WHEELER and one whose name could not be learned. Meager advices received today state that the entire town is swept away by the flood caused by a cloudburst. Several houses are swept away completely and nearly every house in the town is damaged.

Advices say that searching parties have been formed and it is expected as many more bodies will be found. Folsom is in the northeaster part of New Mexico near Ralt on the Santa Fe. Its elevation is about 7,000 feet and it is constantly in danger of floods which sweep down from the surrounding mountains whenever there is a cloudburst or a heavy rain in the hills. The property loss is estimated to exceed $1,000,000.

Aberdeen Daily American, Aberdeen, SD 29 Aug 1908

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MEXICANS NOT DISTURBED

Five of Them Slept During Flood at Folsom.

TRINIDAD, Col., Aug. 30 – All but two of the bodies of the nineteen persons who met death in the flood of the Cimmaron river at Folsom, New Mexico, on Friday last have been found, the missing ones being two children. The funerals of fifteen of the victims was held today, practically the entire remaining population of the town attending.

The loss is property is estimated at one million dollars. A saloon in which five intoxicated Mexicans were asleep was carried down the river a mile and a half. The buildings were left intact and the Mexicans were not even awakened.

The Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, NE 31 Aug 1908