Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1874-07-28
THE LYON COUNTY TIMES
EUREKA FLOODED.
Terrible Loss of Life !!

direst calamities by flood which has
visited Nevada since its settlement
by the whites took place this after
noon at 8 o'clock. 1t had rained
with nprecedented violence at times
since early morning, and about mid
dav q cloud-burst occurred upon
the lofty range of mountains which
border the caf1on in which the town
is situated to the east, and water
came through in large streams.
None but trifling damage was done,
however, and soon the excitement
ceased. But scarcely had the people
returned to their homes and the
scenes of their business when a
deluging rain set in, such as seldom
seen in any country. Each street
and gulley-wav was within ten min
utes from the beginning converted
into a miniature river, and the east
ern portion Of town, which is
much lower than the other, and
through which is the natural chan
mel for good-sized creek OF water
was Immediately flooded. The fall
for the water being considerable, it
tore through with fearful rapidly.
But still the inhabitants thought
themselves safe in their houses, and
presumed at each successive stage
that the flood had reached its high
est, and that a subsistence would
follow. They reckoned amiss-alas!
with mournful fatality; for suddenly
there came laundering down the
Gallons from two directions perfect
ocean, which carried everything
floatable before it. So great was its
speed and volume that it fairly tore
up the dry ground and mingled the
dust of the earth with the spray of
the foaming waters. Those who re-
manned in their premises We're now
hemmed in beyond the possibility
of escape, and the scene was one of
the most heartrending character.
Those living or who CHANGED to be
on more raised portions of the town
came heroically forward en- muSSe
and rendered all the assistance that
human aid could render. Every
moment houses We're moved from
their foundations and carried down
the torrent, and to quit those that
yet remained for the purpose of
hazarding ones escape was to COM
init oneself to the foaming stream
and be carried down among frag-
ments of houses, utensils, timbers,
and in fact everything that came in
the way of the flood, and which
went tumbling forward to destruc-
ton. Ropes were procured, and III
the hands of the brave men, who
ventured forth as tar as possible,
each depending on the other as they
formed in line extending into the
flood, good work was done. Many
persons We're rescued by tins means,
but before the men had time to pro-
cure such means, or even to think of
it, many were carried down and
lost. AS the debris floated by, now
and then could be seen a human
form mixed with the mass. Some
were still alive and struggling for
assistance, but they were beyond the
power of those who looked pityingly
on to save. The women and chill
dren, thank heaven, We're with few
exceptions all saved. 1t was in the
act of saving them that men in
many cases lost their lives.
Two women are reported drowned.
The body of one of them, Mrs. Chas.
Broy, has just been brought to the
Court house. She recently came
from the East and married Mr.. Broy
but a few weeks since. They We're
l.
and were seen to float by clasped to
each other and battling with the
fearful torrent with the despair of
drowning persons. They were sepa-
rated by the food and he escaped
and is now reported quite out of his
mind at the loss of his wife.
Another very sad case was that of
Rodger Robinette, brilliant young
man, a reporter for the CupeI, who
was carried down with the printing
Office and drowned. His people re-
side in San Francisco.
1t is difficult to learn the names of
the others, whose bodies are being
brought IN every few moments to
the Courthouse. Among them are
the bodies of three Cinnamon. Ii is
also difficult to ascertain the extent
of the loss OF property. At least 80
houses have been swept away or de-
molished, or otherwise totally de-
stroyed. All that portion of the
town devoted to dance-houses and
other places Of public entertainment
Is gone. The office of the Daily
Cupel, with all its contents, was
swept away. The flood lasted but
half an hour, but did its work we'll
in that time. Had it occurred in the
night instead of at the time it did the
dead must have been numbered by
the hundreds. The scene is now one
of desolation, despair and bitter
mourning. Many persons have lost
their whole property. Among the
buildings destroyed is Eureka Hall,
one of the largest theater halls in the
State. The weather is still threaten
ing, but a careful watch will be kept
through the night lest the occurrence
be repeated.
Eureka, July 25.-Following are
the persons known to be drowned,
Mrs. Charles l.. Broy, A. C. Latson:
John Turner, Roger Robinette,
James Calvin, j. w. Talbot, Jean
Dorney, J. RANTS, w. j. McGeary,
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