The record-union., 1894-06-08
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.
Being Damaged.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.
PORTLAND, June No accurate esti-
mate of the damage by floods along the
Columbia and Willamette Rivers can be
made. 1t is certain, however, to reach
into millions of dollars. The entire
Northwest, including Idaho, Washing
ton, Oregon and British Columbia are
virtually cut off from the East by the
floods. The Canadian Pacific, Great
Northern, Northern and Union Pacific
roads have been washed out for hum
dreds of miles. and it will require weeks
to repair the damage after the water goes
down.
This city still has connection by way of
the Southern Pacific, but Eastern mails
are badly delayed. The Northern Pacific
makes connection between Puget Sound
and this city by means OF transfer boat
which runs from Kelso, WASH, to this
city. In Northern Idaho the Northern
Pacific and Great Northern have been
washed out for miles, rendering the roads
almost useless west of Idaho. The Union
Pacific is paralyzed from UmatIIla west
w
Company's road, which is the western
connection ofthe Union, will have to be
practically rebuilt from Umatllla toPort-
land, distance of 200 miles.
The upper Columbia is now falling, but
the river here remains stationary. 1t will
require at least a week Tor the water to
get out of the streets if it begins to re-
cede, as at many points on Front street
the water is ten feet deep. The streets
adjacent to the flooded district, which
now includes three-fourths of the busi-
ness portion of the city, are alive with
vehicles of all kinds hauling goods out of
the water.
The telegraph wires are again pros
trated between here and Puget Sound.
1t is reported that the Postal Telegraph
Company's cable across the Columbia
River has been swept away.
The people generally are arriving at the
conclusion that the flood has come to stay
for some time, and are making prepara-
tions accordingly,
For several days the air has been full
of rumors which tell how whole towns
on the upper Columbia have beeu washed
away, and that the stream is full of float
ing buildings. Reliable information OBJ
tanned from travellers who have recently
come over the water route show that the
condition of affairs is greatly exaggerated.
Among the passengers on the steamer
Dalles City, which arrived from the Cas-
oades tonight, was the Rev. G. Irwin,
the newly-elected superintendent of Pub
lie instruction. He said: ''rhe damage
done by the flood at The Dalles has been
greatly exaggerated, and the same thing
may be said OF all other points except
Grants Station, which is really in immi-
nent danger of being completely swept
away"
Pilot W. Fl. Pope of the Northern Pa
cific transfer boat Tacoma says: "At
places the CoIum bia is a sea from fifteen
to twenty miles wide. The lower portion
of kelso is covered with water and sew
eral houses thereabouts have hoated
away. During the week the Tacoma has
passed about dozen floating houses"
Clatkaskina River and slough are so
swollen that Captain George NJ. Seaver
of the steamer Sarah Dixon saves time in
making his trips by crossing the prairie
instead Of winding up the crooked slough
and river.
There is from ten to fifteen feet of
water on the prairie and it has caused
considerable damage" said Captain Sea-
ver 1.-The flood has swept between
fifteen ana twenty-five houses and barns.
On our trip up we passed a two-story
house which had gone ashore on Bachel-
or's Island. Kalama, St. Helena and Ra-
nier are under water and passengers are
landed and taken aboard in small boats.
Woodland, a small town in Cowlitz
County, Wash, is entirely under water
and the inhabitants have taken to the
hills.'
IN THE FRASER VALLEY.
VANCOUVER (B. C.), June 7.-Advices
from up-river points state that the river
has risen seven inches at Ashcroft since
Yesterday, but fallen twenty-six inches at
Lytton. At Spence's bridge the water is
about the same. The large bridge there
is still safe. At Lytton the Thompson
River is twenty inches lower.
James Wilson, Superintendent of the
Canadian Pacific Telegraph, returned to-
day from a lengthy trip up the line. On
Monday the temperature at Ashcroft was
1862 in the shade. The washouts are the
worst the company has ever experienced.
1t had to diverge from the track in places
in rebuilding the telegraph line.
A monster slide occurred Saturday.
caused by a cloudburst, carrying over
one hundred acres into the river.
Reports from the Rockies state that the
Bow River, near Banff, is higher than
ever before, and several bridges across
the river are gone.
kicking Horse is now raging torrent.
The telegraph line is up to Ashcroft,
and it is hoped if it is clear in the Rock
les it can be got through to Winnipeg
shortly.
The dyke of Lulu Island is burst in at
least two places and the crops are spoiled.
The citizens of Vancouver subscribed
$1,000 toward the relief fund tonight.
The Bank of Montreal subscribed ST. 600.
RUBY CITY NOT SWEPT AWAY.
SPOKANE (Wash.l, June 7.-Persons
arriving from Ruby City deny the sensa-
tionai story sent out from here about that
place being swept away by floods. Only
two buildings were damaged.
HIGH WATER AT DENVER.
DENVER Coli. June lowing to a
cloud burst in Platte Canyon the Platte
River is six inches higher at this point
than during the flood of last week Fears
for property are expressed. The people
in the lowlands about Denver are NOV
ing.