Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-06
kilograms to The Star.
AND THE FLOODS CAME.
The Pacific Northwest Flooded
BY a Chinook.
ALBANY'S DAILY SEE.SAW GAME.
Hundreds of English Coal Miners Buried
Alive
ALBANY'S DAILY SEE.SAw GAM
MOUNTAIN FLOODS.
The Valleys of the Columbia and VII.
lamette Rivers Submerged.

Columbia river at this point is at a standstill
and it is hoped that no further rise will occur.
At Corvallis and Oregon City the river is re-
ported falling at the rate Of one inch per hour.
The water in the city of Portland is the highest
known since 1876, but so far it has been con-
fined to a comparatively small district, but
though causing much Inconvenience, has oc-
casioned no serious damage. The water last
night was twenty-eight feet above high-water
mark and extended four squares back from
the river front to Sd street
The food has been caused by the simulta-
neous rising Of the Willamette and Columbia
rivers, which are usually at the high stage sew
eral months apart The main food has been
in the Willamette, but the usual stage of water
in the Columbia prevented the former river
running off, as it usually does. More serious
damage has been occasioned throughout the
Willamette valley than here. Bridges we're car
ried away at Salem and Oregon City and many
small houses built near the river washed away.
Communication with these points is very un-
certain. and the full extent of the damage is a
matter of conjecture.
THE SCENE IN PORTLAND.
large part of the territory flooded in
Portland is low ground not occupied by build
ings, but in the business streets submerged.
where the lower stories of a number of blocks
are flooded the subsistence Of the water may
reveal unsupported damage to the structures.
as strong current is running. The greatest
danger apprehended is that one or both of the
bridges crossing the Willamette river-w OGDEN
structures-may be carried away by the high
water and driftwood. Should this happen it is
feared that the steel railroad bridge below
would go out, as the stage of the water is too
high to permit of any drift passing under it.
Aside from these contingencies the real
damage to the city will be trifiing. The isola-
ton of Portland from the east for the past
three days was not caused by floods, but by
land slides along the Columbia river obstruct-
ing the tracks and destroying poles and wires
on the Oregon railway and navigation COM
panys lines. No trains have run out Of here
except to Tacoma. The only other travel has
been by the Columbia river boats.
THE STEEL BRIDGE THREATENED.
At 11:25 the man in charge Of the steel
bridge suddenly called out for all hands to get
off it. His warning was preceded by
two short, clicking sounds The throng,
numbering hundreds. Immediately dispersed.
The east end OF the draw had lost its bearings
and the rollers had slipped out of place. The
water has risen to such height that the center
calssons cannot be seen and a very slight rise
will carry the water up to the horizontal works.
FLOOD NOTES.
The wagon bridge across the willamette at
Salem was swept away Monday night 1t was
1000 feet long and cost S75 600
No less than ten millions of logs have been
swept away on the Willamette and Columbia
rivers in the last two days. Large quantities
Of sawed lumber and a number Of saw mills ON
the rivers have also been carried away.
Southern Pacific officials do not venture an
opinion as to when their road will be open
west All communication south and east of
here has been cut of for five DAYS and no
trains are arriving over the Southern Pacific
or Union Pacific. Trains are running to Ia
coma, WASH, over the Northern Pacific, but
heavy storm in the Cascade mountains has cut
off communication to the east.
1t is impossible to closely estimate the dam
age at present, but it will probably reach half
a million dollars.
The rain has ceased throughout the Villa
mette valley and the river at this point is at
standstill.
The Oregonian and Telegram were compelled
to move their business Offices further back
from the river last evening" 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.
A dispatch from McMinvile, Ore, states that
the town of Wheatland is almost swept away,
much stock drowned and a large amount of
grain destroyed.
Bridges have been carried away at Oregon
City, and many small houses built near the
river were washed away. Communication with
Salem and Oregon City is very uncertain and
the full extent of the damage done at those
points is a matter of conjecture
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 ground. The water rose SO
rapidly that many of them were unable to move
their goods and in consequence heavy damage
will result.
Throughout the Willamette valley heavy
losses are reported. Many bridges have been
washed away and large amount Of grain
stored along the river has been ruined
ABOUT CLOCK TINS morning wareho use
came floating down the river and passed under
both bridges. The roof had been taken off and
piles OF freight lay exposed. The warehouse
was about 300 feet long and is supposed to have
come from Oregon City. Later in the day a
barn hlled with hay came floating down.
Most OF the docks are safe enough even for |
higher rise, but some of them are somewhat
shaky. The ships in the harbor are all securely
moored, aud nothing except the great collec- |
tion Of driftwood can break them loose.
The Pacific postal company secured eastern
wires this morning, but could not get any news
from the south further than Corvallis.
Ielegraphlc communication with the east is |
completely cut of except by way of Vancouver |
upon the Canadian Pacific system There is no |
delay to the traffic on the Canadian Pacific rail-
way over their entire system.
THE NAIL GONE BACK.
TACOMA, W.T., Feb. 6-The Willamette river
is higher than for twenty years past. Many
bridges are threatened and there has
been great damage done in the en-
tire valley. The revenue cutter Richard
Rush with the northern mail from San
Francisco was unable to cross the Columbia
river bar, came back to Tacoma and has taken |
the mail back to San Francisco. |
CHICAGO, Feb. "a special from Seattle.
Wash, says: Hundreds of families are cooped |
up in their houses in Portland, unable to leave
1t is feared that the water will undermine some |
of these residences and that loss of life will |
ensue. No trains can run out of the city, their |
tracks being either covered with water or snow. |
Hundreds Of people are leaving their houses in |
boats for high ground. II is feared that the /
railway bridge over the Willamette will be car /
ried away by the food.
A special from Portland SAYS: Meaeer news
Of great suffering in the mining regions has /
been received A special from Gold Run gives 1
gloomy view of that camp and others in the |
foothill OF the Sierras. The rain storm has |
ceased there, but the snow lies heavy and many
OF the small mining posts are out Of provisions.
One man, Who was left 10 guard the India Hill
mining company, was 90 reduced BY starvation /
when his companions returned that he had to /
be carried out on . litter. Gold Run was
threatened with starvation, but whom food was