The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-17
A MILK RIVER FRESHET
Ranchers We're Driven From
Their Houses.
ICE TANNED FOR TEN MILES
Many Narrow Escapes From Drowning
Many Washouts on the Track of
the Great Northern-The
Loss Will Be Great

Great Falls, April 16.-Reports from
the Milk River valley indicate that the
freshet has done much injury there, but
fortunately no lives have yet been lost
Considerable property has been washed
away and many ranchers have been
forced to leave their homes to find
safety in higher ground. The danger
near Chinook began on Monday and a
report from that place says:
A large jam of ice began forming in
Milk river in the neighborhood of the
railroad bridge, seven miles west of
here, and the river went out Of it's
banks Sunday evening or Monday
morning.
On Monday reports said the jam was
10 miles long, but of course this was
conjecture. The same report said that
George Ross and w. S. Hedge We're
forced out of their homes Monday
morning. W. M. Woodbridge moved his
family to town at noon. Thomas
Dowen moved his in the afternoon, as
also did A. E. Nelson.
At noon the water was nearly in
Lohman's large warehouse and shortly
after did get in. j. E. Ross stable had
about two feet of water in it on Tues
day morning. Tuesday morning found
the flood deeper than ever and spread
ing out over the valley.
A report came from Big Sandy that
a crew under charge of Superintendent
Davis took out the boiler and engine
of the pumping station at Big Sandy
Monday afternoon. Therpie driver was
pushed out on the bridge and an effort
made to break a jam, when the bridge
a 10 Jt-iH
and the superintendent cars. Mr..
Davis and his cook were fished out with
ropes
Three narrow escapes from drowning
occurred Tuesday, the first in the fore
noon, when Jimmie O'Herons horse
gave out or became entangled in the
wire and fell back with Jimmie in
about five feet of water between the
track and Tom Dowen's house. For
short time it looked to the large crowd
of spectators on Artesian hill as though
both rider and horse would never get
out. Jimmies foot caught in the stir
rup as the horse went over and he had
time in getting it out but finally
succeeded and then began a struggle
against the swift current. He finally
floundered to the railroad track and
was brought over in Jimmie Smith S
wagon The horse was saved.
The next occurrence was experienced
by D. F. Parker in the river or flood
south of town. He had rode in from
his mountain ranch and his horse was
tired out from mud and wading water.
but swan nobly on the south side of
the wagon bridge. When about half
way from the bridge to terra firma,
Frank noticed his horse giving out, and
with presence of mind determined to
take water himself He kneeled On the
saddle and sprane as far away from
the horse as possible, to get clear of the
struggles of the animal. He floated to
a barbed wire fence and came in hand
over hand. His horse. being released
of his weight, swan ashore.
At 8 o'clock the anxious, eXcitable
watchers were startled again by the
report that another man was in the
water south of town. Glasses soon
We're brought to bear and a man could
be seen about half way over. sitting on
a fence post watching his horse swim
off. Three wagons, one loaded with the
boat, a half dozen horsemen with ropes
and about so men were soon en- route
to the scene, while the population, en-
masse, followed afoot. He was easily
brought off in the boat. but his horse
had returned to the bridge
James Cloves came to town shortly
after noon for help and the boat to
bring his family over. Quickly respon-
sive. the corps of willing workers had
the boat to the house, and after long.
We're landed.
W. B. Sands and J. P. Miniken took
''The Minnie Mr.. Bogyps boat and
started down the river about o'clock
Tuesday to render assistance, If any
was needed.
The east bound flyer of Tuesday is
still with us, and from indications it
will remain a while. An effort was
made by the railroad employees to re-
pair the washout in the culvert about
half mile west of town. The engine
took a car of ties and three or four
bundles of sacks which A. S. Lehman
had at the depot, and with a gang of
Japs spent the afternoon there. but
Judging from this distance nothing
could be accomplished and the work
was abandoned about o'clock. The
track was under water for quarter
of mile Tuesday evening.
Charles Nicholson, who came to town
Tuesday morning. says that the people
of the upper valley are all safe. but are
out on the hills mostly, He was at the
Belknap headgate Monday and the
water was running around it then, SO
what must it be to-day. Grave fears
are entertained for the safety of it
and it will be a miracle if it is rot
washed out.
The railroad men on Tuesdays flyer
told of seeing people out on the tops of
their houses along east of there.
1t is utterly Impossible 10 Degln u
estimate the loss and damage caused
to dams and irrigating bitches, rail
road, farm houses and live stock; that
can only be done after the water has
receded. 1t will be very fortuna te
thing if no loss of life results. At this
writing the flood EQUALS the one of 1883
Of which old-timers are wont to talk
Boat building is the popular occupa-
ton. Two were launched Tuesday an6
two to-day.
A train from the East bringing mai
due here Wednesday afternoon arrived
here at o'clock this morning and an.
other arrived on schedule time this
afternoon. The management is to be
congratulated on the prompt resump-
ton of service.
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