The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-02-07
PORTLAND FLOODED.

Unprecedented High Water in the
Willamette Causing Much Dam
age.
PORTLAND, Or, Specialize Postal Tcle-
graph and Cable company furnishes the
following information to the world regard
ing the unprecedented floods in Oregon
and Washington: The Willamette river
at this city is higher than it
has been since the great flood of 1861. The
rise is caused by the unusually heavy rains,
and the melting of snow in the mountains.
In this city all the merchants along the
water front, and for two streets back from
the river have been compelled to
suspend business and move their stocks
to higher places. The water rose SO
rapidly that many of them were unable to
move their goods out, and in consequence
heavy damage will be the result. The only
means Of travel on Front street, the princi-
pal wholesale street of the city.
is by boats. Throughout Willamette
valley heavy losses are reported.
Many bridges have been washed away and
a large amount of grain stored in the ware
Houses along the river has been ruined. The
wagon bridge across the Willamette river,
at Salem was swept away Monday night.
The structure was about one thousand feet
long. 1t cost in the neighborhood of 49,,
OOO No less than 10,OOO, 900 saw logs
HAVE BEEN SWEPT AWAY
on the Willamette and Columbia rivers In
the last few days. Large quantities of sawed
lumber and number Of saw mills on the
river have also been carried away The stu
alton on the Southern Pacific road between
here and California remains virtually I'M
obs no off oio1o n ,f,,ra
an opinion as to when the road will be
open. All communication south and east
of here has been cut Off for five days. and
no trains are arriving over the Southern
Pacific or the Union Pacific. The trains
are running to Tacoma WASH over the
Northern Pacific. but heavy storm in the
Cascade mountains has cut off communica-
ton to the East. 1t is impossible to closely
estimate the damage at present, but it will
probably reach $5OO,OOO. The rain has
valley, but the river at this
river is still rising tonight, though reports
from south as far as Corvallis state that it
began falling at noon, and the weather is
cold and clear. The water is rushing
through Front and First streets very rapid
'
boats very dangerous. Many of the
SIDEWALKS ARE FLOATING
and several accidents have occurred by pc
dcstrians falling through holes in side
walks. The Oregonian and Telegram were
compelled to move their business offices
further back from the river, there being at
present several feet OF water on the
first floor. The editorial rooms, which are
on the second floor, are reached by boats.
Great anxiety is felt for two bridges which
span the river at this point. The Morrison
street wagon bridge is liable to be swept
away at any moment, and in case this
bridge is carried down stream against the
steel bridge Of the Union Pacific railroad,
the latter is almost certain to go out as the
space between the bridge and the water is
not sufficient to permit any large drift to
pass under. The river at present is conf
paratively free from drift, it having
been carried down before the
water became so high. The associated
Press reporter in order to file dispatches is
compelled to wade through water three
feet deep. A dispatch from Nc Mlnville,
Or, states that the town of Wheatland is
almost swept away, much stock drowned
and large amount of grain has been de-
stroyed.
AROUND JACKSONVILLE
JACKSONVILLE, Or, Special-A phenom-
eenal rain storm has prevailed in Southern
Oregon since Friday, which, in connection
with the melting of the snow in the mount
aims, has cansed the greatest flood known
since the country was settled. The damage
to Southern Oregon cannot be estimated as
yet for postal communication is so I'M
certain and limited that only surmises can
be made of the ravages of the water on the
f. line of the numerous tributaries Of the
Rogue river.
THE PEOPLE TERROR. STRICKEN
Later reports from Burke indicate that no
Asiyes have been lost there Mr. and Mrs.