The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1895-06-08
A LAKE BURSTS ITS BANKS
Carrying Destruction With 1t as 1t Goes
Sweltering Heat and
SunstrOkes

OIIldId, u uIlC GA SPCNAoA W sAAS ~~SS
from Curtis, Neb., says that Curtis lake
burst from it's banks late yesterday az
ternoon and the volume Of water that
was released carried destruction
through Medicine valley. The lake COW
cred 100 acres, and was constructed as
an irrigation reservoir, and incidentally
to furnish power to the Curtis roller
mills. An enormous dam was built
across the mouth Of Wild canyon, where
1t intercepts Medicine river at this point,
and all the water drained from the ter
ritory north. 80 square miles, was con-
fined in that artificial basin. The enor-
nous flood that has passed into the lake
in the past five days was too heavy for
the dam.
The first intimation the Curtis citi-
zens had that their locality was threat
ened with disaster was when the banks
of the lake burst with roar that could
be heard several miles, and wall of
water 10 feet high rushed down the val
ley, carrying everything in it's path.
Houses, freight cars, stock and noun
tain debris were caught up and dashed
about like feathers. The fine roller mills
which occupied the east side Of the great
ravine received the first shock Of the
torrent, and the building was almost
ruined. The damage in this direction
alone is estimated at $4,000.
A few hundred yards below the mills
Medicine river passes under the railroad
tracks of the Burlington. When the
flood struck this narrow deiile it's pro-
gress was impeded, but only for an in
slant. Then the heavy embankment
gave way and the wall of water rushed
through, cutting path 100 yards wide.
A number of freight cars standing on
the tracks close to the point undermin-
ed were precipitated into the river, be-
ing carried down the stream like straws.
The railroad company's loss will be
about $4,000.
AS the wall of the water passed be-
yond the city, it rapidly spread out over
an immense territory, and its powers of
destruction were correspondingly de-
creased. The damage, however. was
merely shifted, as the extensive alfalfa
meadow for many miles to the south
were flooded by several feet of water,
and fears are entertained that the crops
will be permanently destroyed.
| All the details from the south, where
| the torrent passed, indicate extensive
damage. Farm products of every de-
| oSA ApSAOh WSAO Chg OAACO, 1AA III Hall y
instances where the homes of the farm
ers were in the immediate vicinity of
the valley the disaster was almost ruin
GUS. Small buildings were swept away
or undermined in such a manner as to
be rendered worthless, and in some Sec
lions the water rose SO rapidly as to
seriously menace the lives Of the fam
| lilies.
No loss of life has thus far been re-
| ported
| Twenty miles to the south, where the
! Medicine valley is confined to small
| space. it is believed the damage will be
| the heaviest.
Laramie, Wyo., June 3.-The amount
of rainfall last week was 74-100 inches
according to the report of the state uni
versity meteorological. This storm il
unprecedented in the history Of the
state. Another inch OF rain has faller
since midnight Saturday, and 1t is still
raining. The value of the rain to tn,
range Is almost incalculable.
IN A DENVER SUBURB.
Denver, June 3.-Jerome Park, sub
urb of Denver, is in danger of f1oot
more disastrous to property and lif.
than the one that took place year ago
The river Platte is steadily rising ant
at noon began to overflow it's banks jus
above Rio Grande avenue. Railwa,
men are watchful, fearing a repetition
Of the destructive washouts occurring
one year ago. Work trains were all II
readiness to go out at moments no
tice. The Rio Grande was the only roa,
having train in on time today.
On the bulletin board at the Uniol