The morning call., 1894-06-02
OVERFLOWS AND DISASTERS.
Enormous Extent of the Flooded
Area of Lands.
MINES AND TOWNS INUNDATED.
Already the Losses Run Into the
Millions, and There is No
Abatement.

PORTLAND, Or, June 1.-The food in
the Columbia continues to increase. and
the indications are that the worst is yet to
come. Yesterday the Upper COlum bia at
several points was at standstill, but re-
ports to-day show that the river is again
rising about one foot in twenty-four hours.
The river is more than foot higher than
ever before known, and the damags will
be immense
The fertile bottom lands along the river
from the Rocky Mountains to the sea, a
distance of 600 miles, are all inundated.
Crops are ruined. houses washed away and
stock drowned. The flood has como grad
ually. which has given residents an OpDor-
tunity TO move household goods to places
of safety, and in most instances stock has
been driven to higher ground. The salmon
canning business has been almost ami
hilated. Fish wheels and canning estab-
lishments along the river for distance of
200 miles are under water. 1t is estimated
by cannerymen that the loss 80 far will
exceed 100000 Telegraph communica-
tion to the north ana east is cut off except
by a roundabout way.
For miles and miles along the river the
water has risen over the tops of telegraph
poles. Along the Union Pacific from this
city to Umatlla. about twenty miles of
track are under water. They have estab-
lished steamboat service, which enables
them to carry the mails and passengers.
The Northern Pacific does not attempt to
operate its line between this city and
GOble. distance of forty miles. but makes
connection by the large transfer boat. In
this city the water has risen into base
ments as far back as Ninth street, and
more than half the elevators in the city
are stopped for want of power.
The river rose two-tenths OF an inch
since yesterday, and now stands at twenty
nine and two-tenth inches above the low
water mark. Reports from the headwaIers
of the Colum bia indicate that rise of one
more foot at least may be expected,
The situation in the flooded district re-
mains practically unchanged. The letter
mail due Monday last arrived ereiate last
night from the East over the Union Pacific.
Passengers arriving from points on the
Columbia River report deplorable cond-
tion Of affairs along the Union Pacific
line.
1t is expected that the river service be-
tween this city and Umatilla will be es-
tablis he'd. A steamb boat has reached
Umatilla from upper Snake River, which
will be used to carry passengers as far as
Cello. Between tnat point and The
Oalles it is expected to have the line of
railroad working. Boat service between
The Dalles and Portland will also be used,
the transfer around Cascades being made
by the old Portage road on the Washing
ten side.
Arrangements have been made to for
ward mail over the Northern Pacific, W whch
preserves through connection by means of
transfer boat, which carries trains from
this city to Kelso and return. The South
ern Pacific has removed its offices to
higher ground. All traffic at the Grand
Central station has been suspended. The
only break in the Western Union Tele-
graph service is along the line of the Union
Pacific.
To-day's mail from The Dalles brings
the information that the Government locks
at the Cascades are In danger. About 400
sacks filled with sand were sent from The
Dalles TO the locks, where they will he
used TO stop any break that may occur In
the dam being constructed around the
head of the locks. The water is within
four feet of the TOD of the breakwater
Should a break occur the entire works
would be destroyed unless the immense
granite heads for the gates should hold.
Sauvies Island, few miles below Port
land, is almost entirely under water
Many buildings have been lifted from
their foundations and are atoaI. Crops
are ruined and other property is seriously
damaged. The iDba baDitants have nearly
all fled to the higher ground. Those that
remain are living in the second stories of
their houses. The damage on the island
will probably amount to S250.000.
TACOMA. Wash, June 1.-Njnety-five
miles of Northern Pacific track between
Horse Plains. Mont. and Hope. Idaho,
are under water. Definite flood news was
received late this evening on the arrival of
three delayed Northern Pacific overlands
Colonel F. D. Huestis. the railroad builder.
was passenger. He says the water was
still rising when the train left Hope yes
terday. Hundreds of farms along Clarks
Fork, never overfowed before, are devas-
tated under four to six feet of water.
Settlers rushed to the highlands. but
hundreds of cattle and horses were
drowned. Some bridges have been
washed out. but these are repaired and
trains will run as usual when the waters
subside. The overland due Saturday has
been abandoned at Horse Plains, Mont.
Seven wrecking-trains with full crews are
repairing the track in that Vicinity.
Overland traffic on the Great Northern
10 suspended on account OF an extensive
washout west of Great Falls. Mont.
VANCOUVER, B. O., June 1.-The Fraser
River is three inches above the highest
historical mark. The flood is still rising.
Fraser Valley for over 100 miles is devas-
tated Il is estimated that over 2O00 fami-
lies are homeless and the property loss is
S3000.0 900. Though no more lives have
been lost, there have been many narrow
escapes. The flood will stop all farming
operations along the Fraser this season.
The natural result will be fearful trade
depression at New Westminster and Van
couver.
FLOODS IN COLORADO.