The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-06-05
COLUMBIA L
The Wreck of the Steamer Oakes-No
Lives Lost,

The Wreck of the Steamer Oakes-No
Lives Lost.
COLUMBIA FALLS. juno 4.-TSpecial. J.
The steamer 4. F.. Cakes, which left Colun-
bia Forks some ten days ago on her trip to
she North Fork coal banks. under the COM
mand of Captain Steve Lehman, was heard
from on Sunday last at Canyon Crook. She
had made a hard passage and Capt. Lehman
decided that it was not practicable to pro-
coed further, and left her in charge of Jas.
A.. Talbot. who WAS determined to com
plete the trip il possible. On Monday
great excitement prevailed in Columbia
Fails upon the discovery of several pieces
OF wreckage. known to come from the
Oakes, IN the Flathead river. The worst
fears were entertained for the safety of the
crew. and Manager Matthews immediately
proceeded to send search and relief parties
10 Canyon Creek. On all sides people vol
unteersd their services in aid of the shin
wrecked men. Later IN the evening a por-
ton OF the cabin was seen floating down the
stream and the theory that the wreckaee
which had previously been found might
nave been swept off and the boat still safe
was exploded. About II p. III. two of the
crew arrived in tow and gave the follow
ing particulars:
About noon the boat was moored to a tree
alongside the river bank, about three miles
north OF Canyon creek, and the crew were
seated at dinner, when the great strain
upon the llnes uprooted the tree, and the
boat came away with her moorlnps. In
less time than 1t would take 80 describe it
the boat was whirled into an eddy and
striking a rock she went keel UPWARDS.
There was no chance to save her from going
10 pieces. and every man had all he could
do to get ashore. President Talbot climbed
on TO the Keel OF the boat, in which perilous
position he remained several hours until
rescued. The cook had a narrow escape
from and was carried nearly
nall a mile down stream before landing.
Every citizen IN Columbia Falls, however.
participated III the joyful news received on
Tuesday morning that all hands, numbering
eleven, wore safe and would arrive hero to-
day.
Flathead river is higher than 1t has been
before III five years. 1t has carried out both
the ferries here and iuterfeled with work
on the bridge, carrying ont the false work
for the fourth span. An unusual amount
OF drift has come down, resulting from the
cutting of timber by the Great Northern in
clearing It's right of way down the middle
fork. At times 1t has threatened the bridge
itself. ~
Messrs. Lewis, Leonard and Bowman re-.
snFnea yesterday from the North Fork
country; forty miles north of Columbis
Fails. where they have located coal and oil
AoAae. ihey ptouRub me samples of oil
with them and report having lighted the
country by firing jets of escaping gases.
They are members Of a strong company
organized for the purpose of prospecting
Tor OIL. Two of the company are practical
oil men from Pennsylvania who own the
machinery for boring. This ia an i'm
nortant enterprise, not only for Columbia
Falls, but for Montana, and the Psnnsyl-
vanians are very sanRuine of success. The
company has plenty of money and intend
to do some thorough work.
L. ID. Newcomb. of the firm of Gale &
Newcomb. merchants of Kalispell, has
leased the store room in the Conlin- Miller
block. formerly occupied by X. ID. Beckon,
and Will move into 1t Immediately.
Columbia Falls observed Memorial day at
She city hall. Over 800 were present and an
Interesting programme was carried out,
consisting of music. o%rations and recita-
tions.
Work on the bridge has been hurried
esonR ~ . rapid rate. owing to the fact