Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-06-07
SECOND ONLY TO NOAHs FLOOD.
The Arkansas Valley Visited by an
Unprecedented Rain Storm.

| a great scope OF territory Ior Two Gays,
there fell an amount of water such as the
oldest inhabitant OF the valley knows not
OF. The rains were general over the
watershed tributary to the Arkansas and
raised all streams to degree never be-
before known. The Arkansas swelled be-
yond all former record and much damage
has been done to bridges and the head
gates of canals, while there are many
breaks in the bitches, which, while
not serious in any place will require in
the aggregate large sums to repair.
While the country has suffered consider
able damage it is nothing compared to
the immense losses in Pueblo, and ac-
count of which will be found elsewhere
in this issue.
DRIFTwooD.
The old original Rocky Ford canal is
among the heaviest suffers. The head
gate was washed ont, together with a
large portion OF tine adjacent bank. The
cost OF repairing the damage will be from
$500 to 500. A meeting OF tho directors
was held on Saturday to consider the sit
uation. Last January an assessment OF
S1.50 per share was levied but has never
been called for. This has now been or
dered paid within 80 days to enable the
company to meet heavy repair expenses.
General road overseer Hale was a very
busy man the latter part of last week.
looking after the safety of various bridg-
es in the county. On Saturday he re-
ported the bridges in good condition ex-
cept that the Tempas creek structure
near Gauger's was in some danger from
caving. A pile bridge across the Otero
canal at Fowler had the centre pier TAX
en- out, which had not then been re-
placed. With these exceptions and the
big break in the Rocky Ford wagon
bridge the facilities for travel throughout
considering the extent and severity Of
the rainstorm.
When the first bent OF the wagon
bridge at Rocky Ford went out Thurs
day morning some fourteen men, work.
bank. Messrs Adsmond, Scott and
Smith "cooned it over" on rope, but
the balance went around by the Catlin
bridge, arriving in Rocky Ford Saturday
morning. Chairman Green was among
the number thus caught beyond the
swelling flood, but he was afraid OF the
depth of the water required to be forded
to reach the Catlin bridge and turned
back walking to Olney, where he may
have organized a republican club Satur-
day night.
"Whiskey Hank" was compelled by
the flood to protract his late spree be-
yond the usual limits. He had duly
been sober for five months, and we sup
pose the fact that before he could leave
the sheep again, Rocky Ford would be a
prohibition town, was sufficient excuss
for the length of last weeks jamboree.
Henry Glazier is one of the unfortunate
ones who must keep away from liquor, or
have it kept away from him, If he is to be
of any use in the world. He is a good
sheep herder and all right until he comes
within range of whiskey, when he is
knocked clear out.
B. F. Powell and r. o. McClain, we're
in town Saturday ordering lumber and
othcr material to repair the high line
damages, and report the injuries to the
canal not as great rs might have been
expected. The headgate is all right, al
though sustaining the enormous weight
of ~ feet of water against it when closed.
The 5000 dam is uninjured. There are
several breaks but none that ca nnot be
easily be repaired.
While H. F. Hagen was not directly
damaged by the flood, he was subject to
Inconvenience and loss by the detention
of 25 swarms of bees at La Junta. The
bees had been shipped from Tennessee
and had food enough only for the sched-
ule time required to bring them to Rocky
Ford. While detained at La Junta they
were not only in danger of starving, but
of dying from the worry of long confine-
ment.
J. G. yroman's home would have been
| invaded by the waters but for the bank
ing up which he hastily did. Part OF his
house is adobe and it would have melted
down like sugar had the flood reached the
walls. His adobe stable being on lower
ground was ruined, and at last reports
Mr.. Vroman was digging lot of har-
ness, ETC., from mound of soft mud.
Jos. Graham. near Catlin, has ono Of
food carried driftwood through it with
such violence that the apple trees are
badly pounded and damaged; great
quantities of drift wood cover the or
chard.
While the losses of number of farm
ers have been severe, taken altogether
the agricultural interests Of the valley
have come out of the food with compar-
atively small damage, and the stock in-
terests have been greatly benefited
An old inhabitant tells US that such a
heavy rain makes such atmospheric con-
ditions as in all probability prevent any
hail this season. This prediction is
founded on the observation of years.
The home of Mr.. Mcdaniel, at Nepesta,
was invaded by the floods for the first
time since built. The water was ono
foot deep on the floor, and his herd of
fine Jerseys he was compelled to move to
higher ground.
For a time Messrs. Fosdick, King and
Barnard were on an island, being entirely
surrounded by the turbulent waters.
The food stood three feet deep in T. j.
Barnard's house, which, Of course, COM
PEELED him to move.
Superintendent McClain says that the
headgate of the Catlin canal is uninjur-
ed, and that the damages along the line
of the canal are small, and that it will be
in perfect order in ten days.
It was decidedly Lonesome, in Rocky
Ford the latter part of last week without
the noise of the usual frequent trains on
the Santa Fe. Blessings brighten as
they take their fight"
A spectator who saw G. M. Hall re-
pairing break in the Highline Thurs
day. saws that he can do more and hard