The record-union., 1899-03-25
AMERICAN on The RAMPAGE.
THE RIVER HIGHER THAN FOR
YEARS PAST.
Log Boom Near Folsom Goes Out
With Thousands of Feet OF
Pine Logs.

The American River doomed yester-
day and played the mischief with the
log boom of the American River Lahu
and Lumber Company, a short distance
beyond the Folsom Prison. All day
the river between the city ana the
mouth of the American River was
dotted with boats of all descriptions
manned by men and boys engaged IN
gathering them in On both sides OF the
river the banks are covered with THESE
splendid pine logs and other dr1ftWood
gathered by the boatmen-
Early yesterday morning an empioye
of Hall, Luhrs & Co., who hold claim
against the lumber company, brought
word from Folsom that the lumber
boom above that place had broken
and that logs representing some ooou'
600 feet of lumber had escaped ana
We're heading toward this city. AT noon
many of these logs from the boom had
been captured by the rivermen along
the front and were tied up at different
places along the bank.
The Record Union learned from
Warden Aull of the Folsom Prison that
yesterday forenoon the river rose
to thirty-three feet and vast
body of water was pouring over the
big dam. The river was still ris-
ing. 1t is said to have been a grand
sight Out near Brighton the river is
reported to have left it's banks and
flooded some of the fields.
What is known as the old bed of the
American River, a large area of slick
ems and willows, was flooded, and the
river poured its torrent into the Sacra-
mento just above the city, resembling
Sfcalr
launches and other small river craft
had considerable difficulty in passing the
point of confluence. One launch which
made the passage Steered as near 10
the eastern bank as possible, but when
caught in the flood from the Ameri-
can was carried across the river until
it reached the willows on the Yolo bank
before it could make Roadway. Heavy
logs branches and timbers raced down
the swift current, and when one was
sighted by a boatman an exciting chase
would follow, almost invariably result
ing in the capture of the f1oatsam.
Very few escaped.
AS rule, two men occupied each
boat, and while one piled the oars the
other stood ready with ak and rope TO
capture the runaway timbers when,
while menacing navigation, make ex-
cellent firewood when dry.
The floating drift on the American
threatened a gorge at the railroad
bridge a short distance northeast OF
this city. and the railroad company
kept a force of men employed there
yesterday keeping the trestleWork
clear.
A great many persons in this city
were Yesterday making inquiries as to
whether or not the water had reached
The crest of the Elkhorn easement, up
the river.
The Public Works Department, how
ever, had no advices, but stated that
come of their people would to-day
make the trip in a steam launch 1of
the purpose of studying the situation.
The rise in the river on Thursday
night was not as rapid as was ex-
pected. and the probability is that the
highest point has not yet been reached
The Public Works people expect that
to-day the water will have raised suln-
cientlv TO test the easement, and they
nronose to be on the ground to witness
The practical test of the great weir.
UP THE VALLEY.
TIN to noon Yesterday the downpour
continued throughout the northern por-
ton of the State. In many sectlohs
the precipitation was extremely heaVy.
The telegraph operator at Emigrant
Can notified the railroad authorities IN
tbis city that five inches of rain fell
Of that point Thursday night, and that
the water rushing down the mountain
side resembled a great cataract, "hlie
on the railroad track the water was
four inches deep
Along the Oroville line the track IN
many places was reported as peins
under water There were no WasnoulS'
however. and trains ran as usuai. :,
Near Willow Creek, on the Placervliie
line the road bed was washed out loi
Quite a distance, and force was seii'
out from this city to make repairs
Trains were delayed two hours
No serious damage has been reporteu'
and trains were yesterday running oii
all lines as usual.
THE STORM BROKEN.
A6vices received by railway oHlclalS
late last evening. showed that the STORM
had broken all over the northern sec
t;ens of the State. While showers zen
at different points. everything indlcat-
ed that the storm had spent IT'S lorce'
A trestle on the Oroville line was
iambed and somewhat weakened ny
logs and driftwood piling up against
IT but force was promptly dispatcheo
to the scene, and traffic was not inter
rupted.
WEATHER REPORTS.
The Weather Bureau reports snow
the highest and lowest Temperatures
Yesterday to have been 62 and o6 de-
prees. with fresh to brisk and gentle
sourherly winds ands cloudy weather
prevailing.
The barometrical readings at a. m.
arc p. m. yesterday We're 299S and
90. IS inches. respectively.
The highest and lowest temperatures
one wear ago yesterday were 81 and 80
degrees. with no rain. and one year ago
to-day 80 and 81 degrees with OO4
inches of rain.
The average temperature was % de-
grees and the normal 81 degrees. show