The morning call., 1894-06-03
STILL RISING.
No Improvement in the State of
Affairs in Oregon.

PORTLAND. Or, June 2.-The food con-
tinues to come and there is D improve
ment 10 the situation. At o'clock this
eveDing the water stoud thirty and half
feet above low-water mark, and the mea-
ger reports received from the upper Co.
lumb bia show that the river and all its .rib-
utaries are still rising.
Telegraph wires are .prostrated all along
the Columbia. which makes it impossible
10 get at the true state Of affairs. The loss
will undoubtedly foot up into the millions
of dollars when reports from all the
flooded districts are received. Hundreds
of people living on the low lands have
been driven from their homes, and scores
of houses can be seen floating down to the
ocean.
The Union Pacific tonight sent out the
steamer Harvest Queen, which will at
tempt to ascend the falls at the Cascades.
The railroad on both sides of the river at
the Cascades is under water and communi-
cation with the upper river is entirely
cut off.
In this city this evening a violent thun-
der and rain storm, accompanied by high
wind. adds to the already demoralized
condition Of things. The first floors of
hundreds of business houses are covered
with water, and many concerns doing
business on Front, First and Second
streets have opened temporary Offices on
uptown streets. False sidewalks Oh ele-
vated platforms have been built up and
down the flooded streets. but owing TO the
necessity for keeping the street-crossings
clear for the passing of teams it is impos-
sible to reach many stores except In boars
Gum boots are of no avail in a large
part of the submerged district where the
water is too deep for wadng. In many
places there is strong undertow which
renders pedestrianshIp dangerous, even
where the water has not such depth.
Frequent mishaps of an unpleasant
character have been caused by carelesslv
constructed platforms dropping persons off
into the water or the jostling of
the crowds pushing them off the plat
forms. @he overturnlng of boats
and the stepping of gum-boot waders into
too deep water have not been uncommon
occasions for merriment on the part of by-
ISLANDERS who are lounging about the
flooded districts.
The good nature with which the popu-
lace take the inconveniences of the food
is surprising. Business men smile at the
rapid submerging of their stores and ap-
pear to see humorous sids to it. notwith-
standing the consequent loss by damage to
their stocks.
Free boats between convenient points
and Front and First street stores have
been provided by the proprietors for the
use Of their customers. Large forces of
men are kept busiy engaged In removing
stocks of merchandise to higher elevations.
raised platforms. etc.
Boatmen, eXpressmen and many labor
ers are reaping much needed harvest from
the high water calling them into employ
meut Every boat has been called into SER
vice. Many of them are making regular
trips over specified routes; others are pick.
ing up passengers wherever found and TAX
ing them TO their destination; some are
depending upon sightseers for remunera-
tion. while still others are regularly en-
ployed by business men.
For half an hour this evening this city
and vicinity were visited by severe elec.
trieal storm and a heavy rain, accompanied
by high wind. Lightning flashes were fire.
Quent and many persons were badly
frightened, storms of this character being
Of rare occurrence here.
A number of trees near the city were
struck and Knocked into splinters by the
lightning. No serious damage in this city
has been reported.
To the north the storm is said to have
been more severe, but telegraph communi-
cation is shut off. Tacoma and Seattle are
entirely shut out so far as telegraph service
is concerned.
TRoUTvALE, Or, June 2.-The electric