Weekly Trinity journal., 1861-12-14
TRINITY JOURNAL.


LIVES LOST, AND INCIDENTS OF THE FLooD.-H.
C. Shafer, Greenhood and Newbauer's express
mar, is undoubtedly drowned he left Shasta on
last Saturday morning, crossed Trinity river at
Lewiston at noon, got mule from Mr.. Cham
berlain, at the mouth of Rush creek, and started
for Weavervile. On Monday afternoon the muIa
was found on Browns Creek, and Tuesday ror-
ming party of citizens started for the purpose
of looking for Shafer His express sadlle-bags
were found lodged on q stump in Brown Greek,
portions of red shirt, corresponding to the
one he usually wore, were found on some bushes
further down, and subsequently,, the holsters
belonging to him. There Is no doubt but Sbafer
was drowned in attempting to cross Browns
Creek He was well known as daring and in
trepid expressman, was q native of Pennsylvania
and aged about "a years. He was married last
Spring and leaves sorrowng wife TO mourn his
loss.
James V. Dougherty, Sam. Boger, John Howe,
Henry McLeash, and Ned Ford, thinking the
water could not possibly carry away the store of
Crow & Co., on Lewiston Bar agreed to remain
during the night of Saturday in the building ;
but before they were aware OF their danger, the
water had surrounded them to such depth,
that it was impossible for them to attempt to
dark, and they could not be heard on shore for
the roaring waters. Fast and surely the waters
rose as the slow hours OF night dragged along
Climbing on the boxes and goods they kept out
of the water. AT length the gray dawn began
TO appear, and their benumbed senses began to
realize their fearful position sea OF water
surrounded them, sweeping in its mad career
whole trees, houses, and timbers, past them with
railroad speed The store now occupied what
seemed nearly the middle OF the river, and no
human assistance could reach them. 1t was fair
ly light when one side of the building began to
break away, and the whole house to move.
ugherty, no doubt believing The store was
breaking up plunged into the terrible current
and attempted to swim ashore he was carried
down the stream about one hundred yards where
he struck a pile OF tailings about waist deep
here be gained bis footing, and halooed with
wild gestculaton for assistance. One or two
attempts were made to reach him in a small boat
without success After standing for some ten or
fifteen minutes, he made another effort to swim
ashore but after making one or two strokes hc
sank and was seen no more.
The lower side of the house now was entirely
torn out and the whole building threatened every
moment TO break up Ford, believing there was
no other hope, spysng into the food, and made a
bold swim for the land, when within a few rods
of shore he struck bottom and stood up to his
neck in water the persons on shore called to him
10 come. lie told them he could not-was chill
leu through. luey IuslCu 10 Ills uSSlSLauCc anu
he saved.
For three hours longer Howe Boyer and Nc
Leash siaid in the store. Howe and Boyer made
holes through the roof and got upon it; McLeash
remained below Finally about half past nine
O'Clock the building entirely broke up, Nc Leash
crawling through window on gable end as it
broke off. All three found themselves on the same
piece OF the wreck as it was carried Off McLeash
cxclaiming =" Don't be frightened-we'r all
right" About $50 yards below the piece struck
a log cabin, nearly submerged As they neared
il Howe and Boyer prepared to jump. telling the
old man to do the same. Howe and Boyer both
reached the house, but Howe would have been
swept away in an instant had Boyer not grasped
him. McLeash made an attempt 10 rise from his |
sitting position, but failed, being. it is supposed
benumbcd with cold lie was knocked off by
jar, and beckoning good bye TO his companions
was swept away. The survivors were soon res
cued from their perilous situation.
Dougherty was young man of fine intelli-
gence, and esteemed by all. He was 26 years of
age /; born in Virginia His father and sister re-
side in Yuba county.
McLeash was quite an old man, and has lived
about Lewiston for several years.
A man named Finn, and Mr.. Uuot, wife and
child occupied the old Mooney's Ferry house, six
miles above Lewiston. Not thinking on Satur-
day night that the water could possibly disturb
the house. they remained in it. Before aware of
any danger they were surrounded by water. Finn
leaped IN and swan ashore, but Huot would not
abandon his wife and child. They could not es-
cape, and retreated to the second story. In a
short time the house went to pieces, sweeping off
in the resistless current man, wife and child, and
a faithful dog. In the total darkness they cung
TO the wreck for over a mile, when it struck
snag, and the wife and child were drowned. Mr..
1Iuot reached the shore-does not know how
He had hold of his dog, and probably the faithful
servant saved his life HuOt has been trader
on Deadwood creek and Trinity for number of
years
Antonio Engasser was drowned on the Sd inst,
in attempting TO cross the North Fork of Trinity
in a small boat. He had some 5000 on his per.
son. He was German, and had lived at Rattle
snake.
1t is computed that at least thirty Cinnamon
have been diowned. There may have been more,
but certainly not less than that number.
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