The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-06-03
DESTRUCTION AND RUIN.
No Improvement in the Co.
lumbia Flood.
POrtland's Water Front Ware
houses Flooded.
A Missouri Town That Is Melting
Away.
The "Big Muddy" Eats Up winthrop
and It's Waters Now Flow
Through tho Main
Street.


ny the Associated Press.
PORTLAND, Ore., June 2.-The food
continues to come, and there is no indi-
cation OF an improvement in the situa-
tion. At 6 O'Clock this evening the
water stood 301s feet above low water
mark. and the meagre reports received
from the Upper Colum bia show that the
river and all its tributaries are still ris-
ing. Telegraph wires are prostrated all
along the Columbia. which makes it inn
possible to 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 Cas-
cades. The railroad on both sides OF the
river at The Cascades ia under water,
and communication with the upper
river is entirely cut off. In this city
this evening a violent thunder and rain
storm, accompanied by high winds, adds
to the demoralized condition of things.
The first floors of hundreds of busi-
ness houses are covered with water, and
many concerns doing business on Front,
First and Second streets have opened
temporary offices in uptown streets.
False sidewalks on elevated platforms
have been built up and down the flooded
streets, but owing to the necessity for
keeping the street crossings clear for the
passage of teams, it is impossible to
reach many stores exceptin in boats. Gum
boots are of no avail in large part OF
the submerged district where the water
is too deep for wading.
In many places there is strong un-
dertow which renders psdestrianism
dangerous. even where the water has
not such q great depth. Frequently
inishsps of nm uupieassny -cnasacser
have been caused by carelessIy con-
strncted platforms dropping persons off
inte the water, or the jostling of the
crowds pushing them off the platforms.
The overturning Of boats and the step
ping OF gum-booted waders into too
deep water have not been uncommon
occasions for merriment on the part of
the bystanders who are lounging about
the flooded districts.
The good nature with which the pop.
ulace take the Inconvenience of the food
is surprising. Business men smile at
the rapid submerging of their stores and
appear to see humorous side to it, not
withdrawing the consequent loss by
damage to their etocks. Free boats be-
tween 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 busily engaged in removing stoc ks
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
employment. Every boat has been
called into service. Many OF them are
making regular trips over specified
routes; others are picking up passengers
wherever found and taking them to
their desired destination; some are de.
pending upon sight-seers for remunera.
ton, while still others are regularly en-
ployed by business men.
For half an hour tonight this city and
vicinity were visited by a severe cleo
trical storm and heavy rain, accom-
panied by high winds. Lightning flashes
were frequent and many persons were
badly frightened, storms of this char
acter being of rare occurrance 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 communication ia
shut off. Tacoma and Seattle are en-
tirely shut out 80 far as telegraph SER
vice is concerned.