The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1894-06-09
RUIN BY THE FLOODS.
GREAT HAVOC WROUGHT I'M
VANCOUVER REGION.
Raging Torrent of Water Sweeps Every
thing Before it-Thousands Are
Homeless and Property Loss WIN
Reach Millions.

VANCOUVER. b c., June a.-Terrible
destruction has been wrought by the
floods in the Frazer valley and through
out this entire region. Thousands of
families have been rendered homeless,
many lives were lost while the loss
of property will reach into the mill
ions The full extent of the calamity
is not yet known, nor will be for
several days, as the waters are still
rising, threatening even greater
havoc.
The Frazer river rose ten inches at
Westminster Yesterday and last night
The water was three inches above the
highest historical mark. The food is
still rising From points further up
the river come reports that the river
is nearly two feet higher than has
ever been known.
Frazer valley for a hundred miles
has been inundated So great has
been the destruction that ocean steam
ers passing in through the straits of
San Juan de Fuca are now encounter
ing floating roofs of houses and
barns and inn umerable carcasses of
hogs, sheep and cattle that have
passed out through the Fra
zers mouth with other debris from
the valley. 1t is estimated that
over 9, 600 families are homeless and
that property loss of fully 50, 100, 900
has been suffered.
Steamers from the rivers and Puget
Sound are still being pressed into the
work of rescue. Though no more
lives have been lost during the last
two days, there have been many mar
row escapes and thrilling experiences.
Many families have been driven
from their houses One steamer
brought 3o1 settlers from Westminster
late last night Among them was the
family of one of the ranchers from
near Langley. The man had built
strong raft upon which he took his
entire family and ten blooded horses.
They were rescued in midstream after
having been atoat ten hours At
many points there is great destitution
among the luckless settlers, who have
fed from their homes
AT the Salmon river settlements,
where the water Is ten feet deep ON
the fat many families are huddled to-
gether on the highlands and living on
one scanty meal day. The rescuing
steamers have neglected them to care
for others who are in greater danger.
At Hattie the steamer Transfer
sailed up over farms and fences, over
the Hattie bridge and the dyke, and
cd -, hn n Of
Pacific track, seven miles from where
the river formerly ran. The Transfer
secured the wife of Rancher
McDermott from the roof of
her floating house. Her husband,
who had failed in his efforts
to rescue her, was found later in "a
small skiff. Both were nearly crazy.
The big schoolhouse from Nicolen
island tloated by New Westminster
last night intact.
Both Vancouver and New West
minister are cut off from the
outside world Even the tele-
graph is not to be depended upon,
as the wires have been constantly in
trouble. Every effort is being made
to relieve the flood sufferers. but
facilities and means are utterly made
quate to meet the demand TIE Ca
madam Pacific has 1000 men at work
repairing its track, but the flood Is
breaking it faster than they can posi-
bly, mend it.
The result of the flood, it is now
seen, will be to utterly stop all farm
ing operations along the Frazer for
this season, and the natural result
will be fearful trade depression in
the cities of New Westminster and
Vancouver, which depended upon this
to large extent