The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-01-15
THE GREAT STORM.

The most severe wind storm that has ever
been experienced on the Northwest coast
broke from the south upon Oregon and
Washington on Friday last about noon. For
three hours the gale ragged, the wind at times
attaining velocity of So miles per hour
something unheard of for the coast-but it
would not be unusual in the Mississippi val
ley or on the plains. where the rate of 80 to
l20 miles is a frequent occurrence The
whole country was wet, and the trees stand
ing in wet soil went down easily, and as
buildings are not put up i'll this country es-
pecially to resist wind, they suffered much
also
VANCOUVER
Did not meet with so much damage as might
have been expected, nor as much as reported.
A few sheds, an old barn which would
have fallen long ago if it had known which
side to fall on, and one old building at the
garrison are all that fell. Many chimneys
were blown off, fences broken down, and u
few trees Frustrated in the city. No one
was hurt, though many were frightened.
The chief damages are in the country, and
cannot be counted up i'll months. We give
details as far as received, as fully as our
space will permit.
DAMAGE TO TIMBER.
The damage to timber in Clarke county is
immense, and seemingly beyond computa-
ton. The wind took down the tallest and
best trees in all directions, and fully 80 per
cent. of the trees fit for lumber are in wind
falls, impossible to get out if cut up. Good
| judges, men who are cautious in their say
/ ings, estimate that not less than % per cent.
of all the timber i'll Clarke county is blown
down, and that but small portion of it can
be saved. On many large tracts of land the
timber is all down, in some only half, and
in others but little damaged. On tract of
$50 acres near Vancouver Mr.. 5. W. Brown
estimates his loss of timber at $1,000, and
as much more on other tracts probably,
which he has not yet examined. Other
owners of timber lands, held for the value
equally heavy damages.
OTHER DAMAGES
To fences particularly, will count up heav-
lily. The injutS done to buildings through
the county is comparatively small. The
damage to stock is not as great rs was at
first supposed, as people had their cattle
mostly under shelter from the Storm every
where they could do so. Aside from the
loss OF timber the greatest damage is to the
roads, many of which will moi be opened for
the passage of wagons ior many months to
come. Many will have to be abandoned en-
tirely, and new roads laid out. the labor Of
opening which will be greater than on any
OF the original roads. Seventy-tive per cent.
of the road work done for 20 years is pract-
cally lost, and must be done over again to
open up the country. The wort, OF reopen
ing has already commenced, and the roads
leading into the city are most of them already
passable for teams two to six miles out
and this work will be prosecuted with visor
on the main roads and in the most thickly
settled portions of the county.
THE LEWIS RIVER ROAD.
Chris kalahan was the first man to come
over the road, from La Center to Nancou
yer, taking all of two days time, and he re-
ported the walking anything but fine. Half
the time he could not find the rood, and
found out that none but good woodsman
had any business to try to travel now. He
says that between the North fork and Van
couver there must be not less than 5000
trees down in and adjoining the road. He
was two days in getting through, climbing
over logs at times piled nearly 20 feet high.
| The worst effect OF the storm was seen III
the heavy timber between l.. Meellcr's place
and Salmon creek. He saw at Neswells
mile of fence buried under fallen trees, and
1000 new rails reduced to kindling wood,
and the barn surrounded by fallen trees.
From Tenney's place to Salmon creek I OF a
mile 50 trees laid across the road. He saw
Bob Hutchin's house, not far from Meekers
almost hidden from sight in windfall. but
unframed An Irshman's claim beyond
Tenney's, l60 acres, is all slashcd by the
wind ready for burn. But one accident
to stock was heard of on the road, Stoddard
having COW killed. kalahan reports as IA
fact worthy of mention that not a bridge on
the whole route was injured, though
the trees were piled up thick around them.
A tree fell on one end of the bridge near the
camp meeting ground at Salmon creek,