, 1889-07-25
FROM A POLE TOP.
How Judge Foss Tslegraphed News
of a Serious Washout.
Four Hundred Feet of Track Mis-
placed on the C. G. N.
A Torrent Rushing Down the Valley
of the Chuq.

The heavens opened over the narrow
valleys of the Chugwater Tuesday night.
The down pour of rain was many times
more than the water ways in that ravine
could carry and every little stream and
ditch was over its banks. In fact, as the
great volume of precipitation moved
down the valley, 1t obliterated many of
these rivulets and small ~irrieating canals.
This flood had its center along the line
of the Cheyenne & Northern between
Chugwater and Kelly stations. For a
distance of ten miles the deluge covered
the surface of the earth. In many
places the water was several feet deep and
the crops OF the area titled in that scope of
territory were almost totally ruined.
Fences, corrals and ranch houses were
damaged, Horses and cattle were able to
escape the torrent, but hundreds OF chick
ems, turkeys and ducks and geese were
drowned.
The most serious loss was to the rail
way company. Two stretches OF track
more than two hundred feet each were
washed out. One of these pieces in
cluded a good sized bridge and its APP
proaches. A work train and a large
force of men under Roadmaster Delaney
were engaged all Of yesterday in repair
ing the damages.
Superintendent Barr is out west and
the first intimation Of the serious effects
of the food was received in a telegram to
Chief Clerk Henderson from Judge
Frank Foss, who is agent and dispatcher
at Chugwater the Northern limit of the
deluge.
Judge Foss' message was altogether
unique and his adventures Tuesday night
not unworthy of recital. Apprehending
a washout the agent made his way through
the terrific storm from Chugwater to
Kelly. On the journey he noted the
damage and observed increasing danger
in continuance of the heavy rain. At the
first washout he narrowly escaped wheel
ing into the deep pit which had replaced
a low bridge. But for a timely flash OF
lightning Judge Foss and his railway tri
cycle would have landed into a big, rush
ing stream several feet below the track.
Alter resting at Kelly the plucky agent
decided TO proceed a couple of miles more
toward Cheyenne. At this point the
track was submerged, and after wheeling
until be was opposite an upright telegraph
pole, Mr.. Foss halted. The wires were
down between Chug and Kelly, but the
Judge had made provision for this by car
rying an instrument.
Mr.. Foss now Skinned up the waveling
telegraph pole, and tapping the wire sent
a brief account of the flood under the re-
markable date line Second telegraph
pole south of Kelly"
Yesterdays north bound train was
abandoned. 1t left here at l1:30 in the
forenoon aud returned from Iron Noun
tain last evening. The damage will not
be repaired for many hours yet.
Locally the storm of yesterday was the
heaviest of the season during its duration.
Streams flowed on either side of the
streets for half an hour or more. Water
made its way into several cellars, but the
damage was slight. The streets are now
thoroughly clean for the first time in sew
eral months. A light hail accompanied
the rain and many flower beds were in
jured somewhat.
The storm greatly improved the appear
ance OF the range in this vicinity, seeming
to liven the grass.