The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-06-06
RUIN and DESOLATION
Millions Of Dollars Lost BY The Big
Floods West.
RIVERS ROARING SEAWARD
Portland is In Water TO tho Armplts
Houses Floating Around
Like Ducks In
Big Pon6

PORTLAND, June b.--The waters Of the
Willamette river at this point continue 10
rise and tho indications are that Il will
continue for several days. This afternoon
the river stood S2 2.iO feet above low water
mark. At Umatila the Columbia river
stood 81 5-l0 feet above and AT Pasco "a
feet above. There yet remains snow
enough In the mountains to keep tho
river at the present height for several
days.
1t Is impossible to approximate tho
amount OF damage inflicted upon this city
in tho damage to property and loss of
business. The damage &c the river front
alone will be nearly 81 10000. There is
scarcely o wharf or warehouse that has
not suffered more or less.
Merchandise OF all kinds Is stored In
many places. which are in hourly danger
of being submerged or tilted over into the
river. Boats are continuously moving
goods TO more secure places. In many
instances merchants have been compelled
TO move their goods several times to keep
them above water. Wherever possible,
the buildings in the submerged district
are being vacated. Tho First National
Bank of British Columbia. the London
aud San Francisco. the United States
National and tho Merchants National
banks have all moved TO higher grounds.
The railroad situation remains un-
changed. The Southern Pacific is the only
line running trains into the city. The
Union Pacific is unable TO establish ITS
river service between here and Umatilla.
The Northern Pacific is still bringing its
trains 10 tho city from kelso on transfer
boat.
As q means of insurine protection from
fire in the flooded district the chief of po-
lice has secured 81 foot barge on which
ne has fitted q stationary engine capable
Of throwing three powerful streams. The
water has reached the basement OF tho
Oregonian building.
While this city IL confronted with disas-
ter, adjacent points arc having a similar
experience. The Columbia slough pre-
sents . scene OF desolation. Tho tops Of
houses and trees are just seen above the
water. The lower portion Of Vancouver
10 submerged and Troutdals Is also
flooded. Hood river will experience great
loss. Its immense rawberry crop is ripen.
ing and there is no means of transporting
Il to market.
Tho locks at Cascades have stood the
strain 90 far but there 10 great danger that
they will bs swept away.
VANCOUVER. Il. C.. June b.-The Fraser
river 10 still rising and IL now ut this point
lH inches higher than tho great flood oi
1852. Reports from all points nionR the
river tell uniform tale OF wreck and dis.
aster. Tho government wharf at West.
ham Island has collapsed. Water came
over the dykes Of the British Columbia
Dyking company at Pitt Meadows and
| flooded 1900 acres which cost 10000 TO re.
claim. Tho whole Of Nicomen Island il
now flooded. Steamers can sail right
across tho island. tho water being 1s feet
deep. 1t is not known when traffic on the
Canadian Pacific will be resumed.
LYONS, Col, June 5.-Great excitement
prevails here to-day. A report was circu
lated that the Beaver park reservoir or
the South street drain had broken. A
scene Of confusion ensucd. Every famil,
on the south side of the river with one ol
| two exceptions hastily moved TO tho hill
south Of tho town and that part Of th,
town 10 now completely deserted in antic
| ipation Of flood.
| Tho south hill is covered with furnitur,
and many families are homeless. Scvera
houses have boen swept away and IL thu
reservoir should break great damage will
be done. A party set out this morning to
try to reach the reservoir and ascertain
the extent Of the danger. II is known tina
ut least part Of 1t has broken. Business
is practically suspended and people in thu
upper part OF town arc doing all they car
TO take caro- Of the destitute families. TIL,
roilroad and wagon roads are completed!
washed away and unless the water Roei
down soon the food supply will be short.