The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-06-08


BRIGHAM CITY, June THE farm
ing district lying three miles south of
this city, known as Three Mile, was
visited by a terrible disaster this morn
ing in the shape of a flood, from
bursfed reservoir It is the worst thing
OF its kind that this part of the state
has known. Hundreds of acres of the
finest farms that yesterday were
standing in a luxuriant growth of
grain. hay and garden. are today one
stretch of boulders, debris consisting of
brush. uDrooted trees, old wood, and
remains OF fences, houses and barns,
sand, mud and water. A number of
houses are severely damaged, while
Iwo were
COMPLETELY CARRIED AWAY
and broken to pieces.
About O'Clock this morning, a num-
Der of residents of Three Mile, heard a
distant roar resembling a heavily load
ed train. But, as no train was in sight,
their attention was turned to the
mountains east. Presently they saw
cloud of dust coming down Three Mile
canyon and they knew that the reser-
voirs had broken Loose. Those who
thought they were in the path of the
flood ran TO higher ground, and they
were none too quick. Soon came the
water-a great wall Of it bursting from
the narrow ravine in the canyon. On
top of the advancing flood were toss
ing trees and accumulated debris,
which were hurled
HIGH INTO THE AIR.
In a few moments the water was upon
them. Right in the track of the rush
ing water and first up towards the
canyon. stood the house and barn of
Robert Henderson. Mr. Henderson and
his family are away from home on
their ranch in Malad Luckily no one
was in the building, although a day or
two ago one of the girls had been home,
house cleaning. The flood struck the
houses and lifted them up as if they
were but match boxes, and tossed them
about on its seething crest. They
were carried far down into the fields,
broken into pieces and scattered broad
cast. Not scrap of anything is left
of Mr. Henderson's place. 1t is now
one mass of rock and mud.
The house and stable of Joshua Hol-
hand were in great danger, but the
waters were turned in another direction
and he escaped with a great black
river of mud running between his house
ana yards Without doubt
THE GREATEST DAMAGE
was sustained by Richard Thorn. His
tw7o-story adobe house and barns re-
ceived the full force of the flood, just
below Mr.. Henderson's. Mr.. Thorn saw
the water coming, and telling his wife
to get to higher ground, he barricaded
the doors and prepared for the rush.
Mrs. Thorn got but a short distance
when the flood 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 filling the
rooms full of mud to a depth of foot.
The water came up to the window sills
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 DESOLATION.
His barn and sheds are scattered on
the adjoining fields, and great boulders
can be seen sticking in the mud with
which mis- farm is covered. in some
places to &. depth of two feet.
Just south of 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 by 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 flood
tore open the door and came in with
such a rush that it lifted a large range
from the floor, burst through the or
posite wall and carried the stove with
it a good distance outside.
Just below the last mentioned places
lies Barnard Whites large farm and
extensive buildings. The water has
poured a stream of mud over part of
his land, but the injury 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 hound express, which
they claim they had great difficulty in