The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-06-06

Portland. Ore, June 5-Slowly and
surely the water of the Willamette riv-
er at this point continues to rise and
the indications are that it will continue
for several days to come. This after
noon the river stood 80 2-10 feet above
the low water mark.
At Jmatilla, the Columbia river stood
"a $40 feet above, and at Pascoe "a feet
above. There yet remains snow enough
in the mountains to keep the rivers at
their. present height for several days to
come even though they should rise
no higher. 1t is impossible to approx
innate the amount of damage inflicted
upon this city in damage to property
and loss of business. The entire whole
sale business district is flooded to the
depth of from TO 10 feet. The dam
age to the river front alone will be
nearly million dollars. There is
scarcely wharf or warehouse that has
mot suffered more or less. Merchandise
vi all kinds is stored in many places
which are in hourly danger of being
submerged or tilted over into the river
Boats are continually moving goods to
I2fore secure places. In many instances
merchants have been compelled to move
their goods several times, to keep them
above the water Wherever it is posi-
bic, buildings in the submerged district
are being vacated. Every available
store room or office building UP town
has been utilized.
The First National bank, Portland
National bank, Bank of British Column
bia, the London and San Francisco,
the United States National and the
Merchants National have all moved to
higher grounds.
90
goods of every description are being
pooled through the streets to the waters
edge for transportation TO higher
ground, where business is transacted
with great inconvenience.
Adjacent Points Also Suffer.
To those out of employment the flood
has proved a great benefit; hundreds
of men find work in building and pro-
pelling boats and RATS and assisting
in moving goods. Many families liv-
ing on the lower ground have been
forced to take refuge in the upper
tstories of their homes, and in many in
aastances their situation is a despera te
one
The railroad situation remains I'M
changed. The Southern Pacific is the
only line running trains into the city.
The Union Pacific is unable to estab-
lish its river service between here and
Umatilla. The Northern Pacific is still
bringing its trains to the city from
kelso on the transfer boat Tacoma.
Steambeatmen report they observe
m any barns and outbuildings afioat.
AlA& loss of life has yet occurred AS
~ )means of insuring protection from
IRE in the flooded district. Chief
Buchtel. Of the fire department.. has Sc
cured sixty foot barge on which he
has fltted stationary engine capable
for use in The submerged districts.
The dashing of the waves caused by
boats, against wharves has caused a
great deal Of damage.
The water has reached the basement
OF the Oregonian building, Sixth and
Alder Streets, but is being pumped out
as last as it runs in On First street.
1t reaches to Taylor street; Washington
street is covered to Fifth street. The
chamber Of commerce building is en-
'lrely surrounded and the first floor is
covered to depth of one foot.
Not an Unmixed Evil.
While the city is confronted with
c1saster, adjacent points are having a
Similar experience.
Columbia Slough presents a scene of
cessation. Many families were forced
to aeondon their homes; chicken
houses, barns and other small build
1ngs. nave Deem carried away. Tops of
houses and trees are seen just above
ire water. The lower portion of Van
oouver is submerged and Troutdale is
also Hooded. West Of TroUtdale all the
bottom lands are under water and
large number Of farmers will lose their
crops, besides suffering other damage
an the way of fences and barns.
Hood River will experience a great
loss. It's immense strawberry crop is
rlpening and there is no means of
transporting II TO a market. The locks
at Cascades have stood the strain 81
far. but there is great danger that they
will be swept away.
Should the water break over the
Dulkhead and pour down on the un-
complete portions, the loss would be
at least $3.50, GOO