Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1883-07-24

OF 1874.
To-day, July "a. is the ninth anniversary
Of the terrible food which occurred in
Eureka. There are many living here now
who we're present and witnessed its fright
full ravages, while there are those who have
heard the story only partially told. The
memories Of the former will be refreshed
and the latter will be interested in the
gloomy reminiscence which we reproduce
this morning from the files Of the SENTINEL,
particularly from the paper issued July as,
1874. the day following the dreadful
catastrophe:
Yesterday morning q sharp shower.
broken by glimpses Of sunshine, greeted
the early risers In our town. About $3.50
A. M. it assumed proportions threatening
q severe storm; and even ct that hour con-
siderable damage was done by the food on
Ruby Hill. After occasional lulls, about
10 A. M. the shower increased In violence,
the lightning grew more vivid and more
frequent, and still more closely followed by
ominous thunder. The storm apparently
passed away and the blue riffs Of sky,
harbingers Of an unfounded hope, were
visible in the northern heavens. But on
the hills to the south and west, the heads
Of the great and precipitous canyons which
debouch into our valley, still hung gloomy
and threatening masses Of black clouds.
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 food,
though great excitement was created,
but little damage was done. Some
houses in the more exposed locality had
their first floors flooded and much
furniture injured, and some Of the
smaller bridges and q few outhouses we're
carried away. This was but the precursor
Of the terrible visitation OF = few hours
later. Again the falling wind, the balmy
air, the growing glimpses Of blue sky held
up to MS the delusive phantom OF hope;
and still gloomy and threatening - .
premonitory 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
~fiercer, and calculations closely made
proved Q period Of about one and . half
seconds between the fash and the thun-
derbolt. This proved that the cloud had
burst above US at q distance Of less than
900 feet, and below the submits Of the
hills which shut rs in. Is they rise
above the level OF the town some
5000 feet. A few minutes before
Looping down Main, Spring and Buel
streets. warning the startled people Of the
approach Of the mighty food. Most
thought only Of their lives, and saved
themselves regardless Of their effects.
Others stood stupefied at the threat Of An
approaching, underlined danger. Too
many chung too late to their houses In .
vain endesyor to save their property by
removal to higher ground. The recent
disasters in New England excited univer-
sal horror, not unmixed with righteous
indignation in our misfortune; naught
but sympathy can be felt for our indus
trious people suffering under the irresisti-
BILE hand which has almost destroyed us.
Close upon the heels Of the warning
horsemen followed the torrent, and such a
torrent Over the entire ridge, extend
ing from Pinto to Ruby Hill, the mass Of
clouds had Extraordinarily broken.
Towards the Summit there was no rain,
but q deluge; and down Railroad. Eureka,
New York and Goodwin Canyons flowed
tuo WhtcI ~ III 6iLnObb lHCOuCcitdDIC Ihbo
Of speed, gathering strength and ierceness
In the descent.
From the Richmond to the jackson fur
mace, where these canyons unite, and
where our valley approaches = quarter of q
mile in width, the entire ground was COW
cred by q terrible, seethiDg mass OF waters
at least three feet in hight, booming heavy
timbers, the wrecks OF cabins, and even
masses Of rock, in its angry, headlong career
upon our devoted town. As the valley
narrows towards the center Of the town
the current increased in f~erceness 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 nom
imagined the fearful loss Of property and
human life which followed.
For over half IN 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 with
families inside, were lifted bodily up and
carried down the mighty stream. The
sight was magnificent in its terror. The
Eureka Hall, . building 100x25 feet, was
easily carried away, and added to the hor-
ror OF the scene as it came crashing down
along Spring stree. and through to Buel
street in the rear Of the International
Hotel, carrying away with its massive
weight many buildings already lettering.
As the houses succumbed to the swelling
stream, many OF them would rise
grandly from their foundations. and,
like stately ships. turn gracefully
head foremost into the current and
sail on an even keel until wrecked
against the first debris. Here were seen .
two-story house to one Of the shutters OF
which chung . man with the energy Of des-
| Then, in . cabin, rocked and tossed upon
| the waves, we're seen q mar and wife strug.
| Cling 10 Escape. Here was seen the de-
tached roof OF . house beating from side
to side Of the stream, and desperately
| clutching the ridge . man striving for
| dear existence. Close upon this heart
rsnding spectacle followed . heavy wagon
and team, the massive structure tosssd
like . chip, and the poor dumb beasts
screaming In their mental agony. The loss
Of property was immense. over 300, 900.
The loss OF life was great. Ths following
persons, II will be remembered, were the
victims Of the fatal food: Mrs. Charles
L. Broy, A. O. Latson. Q carpenter; John
Turner. a teamster; Roger Robinet, .
newspaper reporter; james Calvin. J. W.
Talbot, jean Dorney, John Ranft. saloon.
keeper; W. ). McGeary, carpenter, and
william Smith, miner.
OnceOla.
We learn that An important mining sale
has been made In this old camp to San
Francisco parties. The machinery for .
quartz mill 10 already at the terminus Of