Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1896-06-12
Many Fine Farms in Box Elder
County Probably Ruined.
Property Loss Will be immense-sAzx-
RANT Crops Replaced by JEul and
BouIders-A Namber of Hoa-es
Badly Damaged and Two We're
swept Completely Away

district lying Lhfee mites sOutL-1 Of lHle
city, known as Three Mile, was visited
by terrible disaster this morzing in
the shape of a food, from brrsted res
ervoir. Hundreds of acres of'tAe finest
farms that yesterday were standing in 4
luxuriant growth of grain, hay and gan
den, are today one stretch,of bouldeEs,
debris, consisting of BRUSH uprootsd
trees, old wood, and remains of fences,
houses and barns, sand, mud and waber.
A number of houses are severely dam
aged, while two were completely ear
ried away and broken to pieces.
About O'Clock this morning a aum-
Der of residents of Three Mile, heard a
distant roar resembling a heavy loaded
train. But, as no train was in, sight,
their attention was turned to the noun
tains east. Presently they saw cloud
of dust coming down Three Mile can
yon and they knew that the reservoir
had broken loose. Those who thought
they were in the path of the food ran
to higher ground, and they were none
too quick Soon came ths water--a
great wall of it bursting from the mar
row ravine in the canyon. On top of
the advancing food were tossing trees
and accumulated debris, which were
hurled high into the air. In a fe1 mo-
ments the water was upon them. Right
in the track of the rushing water and
IL ba cf1.nA the
house and barn of Robert Henderson.
Mr.. Henderson and his family are away
from home on their ranch IN Malad.
The food struck the houses. and lifted
them up as if they were but match
boxes, and tossed them about on its
seething crest They wese carried far
down into the 6eIds, broken into pieces
and scattered broadcast. Not a scrap of
anything was left of Mr.. Hendersou's
place. It is now one mass OF rock and
mud
The house and stable of Joshua Hob
land were in great danger, but the
waters were turned in another direction
and he escaped with great black river
of mud running between his house and
yards.
The greatest damage was sustain ed
BY Richard Thorn His two story adobe
house and barns received the full force
of the food, just below Mr.. Hender
sons. Mr.. Thorn saw the water coming
and telling his wife 10 get higher
ground, he barricaded the doors and
prepared for the rush. rs. Thorn got
but short distance when the food was
upon her, and she had to seek safety in
the orchard up in a tree. The water
come with such force against the door
that it was burst open and rushed into
the room, overturning furniture and fill
ing the rooms full of mud to a depth of
foot. The water came up to the win
dow stills, but did not materially damage
the house.
Mr. Thorn had a good farm, and
everything on it growing finely. Not
green spear shows itself above the des-
olation. His barn and sheds are scat
tered on the adjoining fields, and great
boulders can be seen sticking il the
mud with which his farm is covered, in
some places to depth Of two feet.
lust south eff Mr. Thorn's are James
Nelson and sons, Brig and James They
also suffered severely.
The latter's 15.year-old daughter
Geneva, had narrow escape. In their
rush for safety she was caught in the
turbulent waters and carried with it to
some distance, but was rescued by
friends in the nick Of time. Brig Mel |
sons house was wrecked The food |
tore open Me door and came in with !
such a rush that it lifted a large range |
from the floor, burst through the oppo-
site wall and carried the stove with it
COED distance outside.
lust below the last mentioned places
lies Barnard Whites large farm and ex
tensive buildings The water has
poured strea= of mud over part of his
land, but the iajury is not so great,
while the buildings escaped altogether
The water backed up against the
Union Pacific track and as there was
danger of a big washout,. some young
men cut culvert, thus letting the water
escape. They then tagged the south
pound express, which they claim they
nad great difficulty in doing, as the
engineer seemed loath to stop. The