Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-01
CUT OFF BY FLOODS
Vancouver and New Westminster
Surrounded by Water.
OVER 1000 FAMILIES MADE HOMELESS
Great Damage to the Canadian
Pacific Road.
GOV. PENNoYER'S TRIP

VANCOUVER. B. c.. June 1.-The Fraser
yesterday and last night The water was
three inches above the highest historical
mark. The flood is stu rising. From
points further up the river come reports
that the river is nearly two feet higher
than has ever been known.
Fraser Valley for q hundred miles has
been inundated. So great has been the de-
struction that ocean steamers passing in
through the straits San Joan. de Fuca. are
now encountering floating roofs Of houses
and barns and innumerable carcasses Of
hogs, sheep and cattle that have passed
out OF the river with other debris from
the valley 1t is estimated that over 1900
families are homeless and that property
loss Of fully $3,0OO.OOO has been caused.
Steamers from the rivers and Puget
Sound are still being pressed into the work
Of rescue. Though no lives have been lost
during the last two days. there have been
many narrow escapes and thrilling ex-
periences. Many families have been driven
from their houses. One steamer brought
3O7 settlers from Westminster late last
night.
Among them was the family Of a rancher
II ON near Langley. The man had built a
strong raft upon which he took his en-
tire family and ten blooded horses. They
were rescued in mid stream after having
been aftoat for ten hours.
At many points there is great destitution
among the unlucky settlers who have hed
from their homes At the Salmon river set
tlenent where the water Is ten feet deep
on the fiat, many families are huddled to-
gether on the highlands. and living on one
scanty meal a day. The rescuing steamers
have neglected them to care for others who
are In greater danger.
At Hattie, the steamer Transfer sailed up
over farms and fences, over the Hattie
hrtd0a q nd fia6r nm tn he roi lc
Of the Canadian Pacific railroad track, sew
en- miles from where the river formerly ran.
The Transfer secured the wife of Rancher
McDermott from the roof Of her floating
house. Her husband. who had failed In his
efforts to rescue her. was found later IL a
small skin.
A big school house. from Nicomen Islam I.
hoated by New Westminster last night II.
Both Vancouver and New Westminster are
cut on from the outside world. Even the
telegraph Is not to be depended upon, as
the wires have been constantly in trouble.
Every effort is being made to relieve the
food sufferers. but the means are utterly
inadequate to meet the demand.
The Canadian Pacific road has 900 men
at work repairing its tracks. The flood is
breaking 1t. however, faster than they car,
possibly mend it,
The result OF the flood, It Is seen, win be
to utterly stop all farming operations along
the Fraser river for this season, and the
result viii be fearful trade depression In
the cities of New Westminster and Van
couver, which depend entirely upon agri-
cultural products for their support
PORTLAND. Ore, June 1-Gov. Penney
er, who has been stumping eastern Oregon
Tor the populist party, arrived here last
evening, being the only person arriving
from that section for several DAYS He
walked some distance down the Union Pa
cifc nne and made a perilous trip of forty
miles In skin down the raging Columbia
He said the roadbed Of the Union Pacific
Tor forty miles Is practically destroyed.
I" Destruction of ConconnuIly.
SPOKANE. Wash. June Further par
ticuiars from the terrible flood which de-
stroyed the town Of Conconnully, WASH
have been received. In addition to the
flood In the creek a cloudburst occurred
increasing the volume Of water into a rag
ing torrent Everything was swept before
the, flood. Trees. houses and rocks came
down upon the beautiful flats. where they
lodged. forming jam fifteen feet high in
places. Nothing is left except parts of
seven buildings. When the flood was with
In a half mile of the town Ii was seen, and
every one fed to higher land.
A. Spencer Of Walla Walla was struck by
the drift and carried to the lake, where nc
was rescued. A. w. Tullock. q druggist
was carried down stream ZOE yards, and
landed In jam, where he was taken out
alive after the water had subsded.
Outside aid Is necessary. The loss is COM
plete. as there was no chance to save prop
erty. Even those who put their goods on
high ground lost everything.