Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-07-28
THE EUREKA CLOUD.BURST.

From the Eureka Sentinel, OF Satur-
day last, we extract description Of the
course and details OF the damage of the
clopd-burst which occurred last Friday:
Our community has been visited by
great calamity. Yesterday morning a
sharp shower, broken by glimpses of
sunshine, greeted the early risers IN our
town. About $50 a. In. it assumed
proportions threatening severe storm;
and even at that hour considerable dam
age was done by the flood on Ruby Hill.
Shortly after II o'clock the effects Of the
preceding storm were made manifest in
the vast increase of water flowing down
the channel constructed along the lines
of Buel and Spring streets. By this
f!cod, though great excitement was
created, but little damage was done
Some houses in the more exposed local..
ties had their first floors flooded and
much furniture injured; and some OF the
smaller bridges and few out. houses
cursor of the terrible visitation Of few
hours later.
Again the falling wind, the balmy air,
the glowing gimpses OF blue sky held up
to us the delusve phantom Of hope; and
still gloomy and threatening, as a pre-
monitory fate, lowered the heavy clouds
over the southwestern peaks. About
o'clock the rain recommended, and this
time with redoubled force. Hard and
fast the rain poured down, mingled with
hail. The black clouds closed down
upon US, the lightning grew nearer and
tiercer, and calculations closely made
proved period of about one and half
seconds between the flash and the follow
ing thunderbolt. This established an
elevation of less than ! 800 feet, and our
surrounding mountain peaks are at least
5000 feet above our level A few min
utes before p. N. two or three horse.
men came galloping down Main, Spring
and Buel streets, warning the startled
people Of the approach of the mighty
flood. Most thought only of their lives,
and saved themselves regardless of their
effects. Others stood stupefied at the
threat of an approaching underlined dam
ger. Too many chung too late to their
houses in vain endeavor to save their
property by removal to higher ground
Close upon the heels Of the warning
horsemen followed the torrent. And
such torrent! Over the entire ridge
extending from Pinto to Ruby Hill the
massive clouds had Extraordinarily
broken. Towards the submits there
was no rain, but deluge, and down
Railroad, Eureka, New York and Good.
win canyons flowed the water at an al.
most ineonceivable rate of speed, gather.
| ing strength and fierceness in the de-
scent, From the Richmond to the Jack
son furnace, where these canyons unite
and where our valley approaches quar-
ter of mile in width, the entire ground
was covered 10y terrible SETTLING mas.
of waters at least three feet in height
bearing heavy tlmbers, the wrecks Of
cabins, and even masses OF rock in it,
angry, headlong career upon our devoted
town. As the valley narrows towards
the center of tie town the current in.
creased in fierceness and power.
The entire town was aroused. Great
and certain destruction OF property was
evident, and manfully did most OF our
citizens struggle to save what could be
saved. But even up to this moment
none imagined the fearful loss Of proper.
ty and Of human life which followed.
For over half an hour the water
rolled on. One house after another
toppled and fell and the angry pillows
beat upon the wreck and dashed it to
pieces. Many houses (some OF them
dwelling houses and with families in.
side) were lifted bodily up and carried
down the mighty stream. The sight was
magnificent in its terror. The Eureka
Hall, building 100 by 25 feet, was near.
ly carried away and added to the horror
OF the scene as it came crushing down
along Spring street and through to Bnel
street, in the rear OF the International
Hotel, carrying away with its massive
weight many buildings already tottering.
As the houses succumbed to the swelling
stream, many OF then would rise grandly
from their foundations, and like stately
ships, turn gracefully headforemost into
the current and sail on an even keel until
wrecked against the first debris. Here
was seen q two-story house, to one Of the
shutters Of which chung man with the
energy Of despair. as be drifted to almost
certain death. Then, in a cabin, rocked
and tossed upon the waves, was seen a
man trying TO escape. Here was seen
the detached roof Of house beating
from side to side Of the stream, and des-
perately clutching the ridge, man striv-
ing for dear existence. Close upon this
heart-rending spectacle, followed heavy
wagon and team, the massive structure
tossed like a chip, and the poor dun b
beasts screaming in their mortal agony.
The loss Of property was immense.
The loss Of life was great. Up to the
present writing, twelve bodies have been
recovered. To estimate the loss Of life
and property in time for this issue Is
simply imponsible The entiro s%oFF M