1938 Flood

Flood Notes

Charlie Wilkinson reported a 10 and one-eighth inch rain at their ranch nortwest of town.

A. J. Davis has been stranded at his ranch home for several days unable to get to town because of the rise in the creeks.

The Glossbrenner brothers are stranded here with the Junction mail unable to get through. Paul Martin called in and said the Los Moras Creek is higher than he has ever seen it.

Power house and engines washed away at the Grandstaff ranch leaving them without electricity.

Elan Estep family was the first to move out of their house in town when they moved at an early hour this morning when water got up one and a half feet in their home. This house is located west of town and part of the Davis estate.

Travis Martin, Estep's neighbor is ready to move in case the river begins rising again.

On Celery Creek, Claybourne Godfrey reports six feet of water in his house and the largest rise in the creek he has ever seen. The water had receded out of his house Thursday noon, he said.

Menard News
Thurs July 28, 1938:

(Menard Flood was on Friday, July 23, 1938)

"The 1st effect of high water was felt early Friday morning when Harris Hollow overflowed and flooded most of the town. The Friday morning flood was marked by the drowning of Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Hensley as they were fleeing from water west of town. The bodies were recovered Monday. Only casualties reported."

MENARD COUPLE DROWN IN FLOOD WATERS OF SAN SABA
"Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Hensley aged 58 and 47 were swept to their death Friday morning by the flood waters, while fleeing to safety. The Hensley family who lived west of town in the old "Homes" place were forced to leave their home at 3:30 Friday morning by high water and were trying to get to the nearby hills. John Hensley was a short distance from his parents and sister Ola D., when he heard his sister scream and saw the lantern go down. He was able to get to her and helped her regain her feet. Charley Hensley who was with his mother and father, caught his mother and struggled to save her as the river washed them down. Finally a swift swerve of water seperated them and he lost sight of Mrs. Hensley. Mr. Hensley was never sighted again.
The two brothers and their sister reached a place of safety and tried to get word to town for aid in searching for their parents, but did not succeed til daylight.
Search parties were immediately organized and a search started for the bodies. It was not til Monday morning that the bodies were recovered. The body of Mr. Hensley was found close to the scene of the accident and Mrs. Hensley about 4 miles down the river on the Murchison farm.
The bodies were taken to the Sanders Funeral Home where they were prepared for burial. Internment was in the New Cemetery. (Resthaven) Mr. Hensley was born March 7, 1880 and Mrs. Hensley was Willie McCaleb Hensley born in Kimble County in 1886. Married in Kimble County in 1906 and came to Menard in 1924.
Children are: Evarina McDonald, Loma Moor, Charlie Hensley, John Hensley, Mrs. Beckie Brown, Oladie Hensley, Bettie New, Audie Brown, and Lelia Gowans."

NOTE:  While I strive for accuracy in all transcriptions, please be advised that typing errors may be present.  I would suggest you always verify my online information with a copy of the actual record.

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