The record-union., 1891-02-28
Thrilling Experiences Reported at
Tia Juana.
NOT A BUILDING LEFT STANDING IN
TIE TOWN.
Every Business House in Yuma Washed
DownLThe River at Clifton Still
Rising, and all Business Suspended
Rain Falling Throughout Callfor-
Special to the REcoRp-uS1ox.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.
SAN DIEGO. Feb. 27.-Reports of thrill
ing experiences during the storm at Tia
Juana continue to come in. One of the
unfortunate men was a Mexican, who
lost his life in the act Of laboring for
others. In the effort to cross the river
that divides the Russ Hotel from Afessen-
gers store, in order to assist some unfor-
tunates, he was washed away by the
rushing waters. His body has not been
recovered. A man named Hyde, who ac-
companied him, narrowly escaped the
same fate, but fortunately fioated against
large tree, to which he clung until res
cued with ropes thrown to him. Another
man named Kerr was washed down the
river, but found a footing some distance
below where he stood in the water up to
his shoulders for twelve hours battling for
his life, and no prospect for anyone ventur-
ing to rescue him unless at the almost GER
tain risk of their own lives. When almost
overcome by exhaustion, q portion of q
building being carried away tioated
near by him, and accepting this as the
only chance for rescue he clung to it in
the hope that it would finally go aground
was not to be realized, but after q quarter
of a mile it grounded. and climbing to
the topmost pinnacle he patiently awaited
the subsistence of the water. Not until
twenty-1Our hours had passed could as
siStance go to him, and when rescued
Kerr had almost Succumbed TO priya-
tiOns. His body was cold and numb.
His speech had left him, and when taken
to the Russ House there were little hopes
entertained for his resuscitation.
Ever since Monday much anxiety has
been felt for the. safety of William +.
Scribner, druggist at Tia Juana, but the
truth of what was feared has been real
lied by the finding of the body about half
a mile down the river. Scribner was
busy in the drugstore, when the structure
was suddenly carried into midstrean,
and after going about half a mile col
lapsed. Ruins of the store We're found
strewn along the bank Of the river.
a number OF buildings were washed
from the Mexican side to the American
side, among which was the residence OF
Sabiens. His place of business was also
swept away. There is not a building left
standing on its foundation.
The Russ house is bad wreck, al
though not washed away. The main
current of the Tia Juana River is now
Running through the town. The valley is
completely swept OF fencing windmillS,
etc, and number OF cattle, hogs and
horses are known to have perished.
a herd of tifty-one head OF milk cows
were standing in three feet of water last
night with no chance to get them out, or
for them to get anything TO eat.
There has been no communication with
the Mexican side yet and it is impossible
to tell the damage or the number Of lives
lost.
A message from Decanso states that
thirty-three inches of rain had fallen
within SjXtU hnllrS at StnnpIya1 and
Cuyamaca Dam, the heaviest rainfall ever
known in that section. 1t was q veritable
cloudburSt. There are six inches of snow
on the Cuyamaca Mountains.
BUSINESS HOUSES WASHED AWAY.
YUMA CA. t., Feb. 27.-The water
reached the highest point at IL o'clock last
night. Every business house has been
washed down. The Convent of st. Jo-
seph, the A. o. L. w. Hall, School-houses,
express, telegraph and Postoffice are lev
eled to the ground. The railroad and
steamboat office was swept into the Colo
rado River. The railroad ice-house and
the track at the foot OF Main street We're
washed away. Two hundred men were
at work last night saving property, but
met with little success. The town and
property are now guarded by members
of the Yuma Rifles, who have been sworn
in as Deputy Sheriffs. The water is now
falling here, but reports of further rises
nave DeGIl IeceINSl from ABOVE ana east,
which, if correct, will entirely sweep
Yuma away.
AT CLIFTON.
CLIFTON "a. t., Feb. 27.-The river
has risen again. Property is destroyed.
railroads demolished and dams and
fumes gone. Work has been suspended
by both the Arizona and Detroit Copper
Mining Companies. The south approach
to the iron bridge here and the entire iron
bridge at Guthrie, twelve miles south
are gone. 1t is impossible to estimate
the damage now.
This report was sent on q hand-car tc
Duncan, thirty-eight miles south. EX-
travagant reports Of destruction of farms
in ella Valley have been received.
REPAIRING THE ROADS.
Los ANGELES, Feb. q. : The first
through train for San Francisco in six
days pulled ont of the Southern Pacific
depot this afternoon, drawn by two en-
gines. 1t is thought the bridge at Te-
huenga would be repaired by the time
the train reached that point. Advices
however, tonight state that the men
tired out and stopped work, and that the
bridge will not be passable before 10 or II
o'clock, if then.
The Southern Pacific officials say to-
night that all trains will be on time to-
morrow. By transferring the passengers
at Monte the Southern Pacific will be
aDle 10 90 BUSINESS DelWeell Los Angeles
and Cotton. At the latter place u bridge
must be built before the train can run
further eastward.
The work of restoring the Southern
California lines is progressing Satisiac-
torily, but some time must elapSe before
traffic is resumed. 1t is expected to reach
san Bernardino tonight. The line tc
Santa Ana and San Juan is in bad shape
Travel to San Diego will not be possible
# tlt the middle of next week at the earli-
est. The line between san Bernagdinc
and Orange viii not be open before next
Wednesday.
The Santa t'e overland starts to-day by
way OF Mojave for the East, and viii con-
tlnue until the line in Cajon Pass is
cleared, when the old plan viii be re-
sumed.
1t commenced raining lightly again
about d3rk, and indications are that !;
will continue during The night The gen
er3l situation in the surrounding country
remains unchanged.
Tonight parties who came nm from Tic
Juana for aid for the sufferers re,1ort that
at least seventy people are housed in Z
School-house and few structures lcf,
standing III the Hooded district, with ao-
S0lutely nothing to eat and bIt few
clothes. The farmers in the neighbor-
hood have fed the homeless peoDle si5,cs
the flood. Another Mexican is MISSING
from the lower side, who is THOUGHT tC
have been drowned.
The damage in Tia Juana Valley is
over so, coo.
The funeral OF druggist Scribaer tool;
place to-day, and while the body was be
lug carried over the trestiework one o
the bearers fell through and the coffin was
precipitated on top of him, seriously In.
juring him.