The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-06-17
Relief Work EffectuaI.
WHEN THE FLOOD CAME.
People Rush for the Hills, But Not in
Time.


PENDLETON, Or, June 16.-Three
men who survived the flood at Hepp-
ner, r. D. Ball, J. J. Kelly and A. p.
Bradbury, have arrived here, after hav-
ing witnessed the destruction of the
town and assisted in the work of res
cue. Mr.. Kelly said:
''The storm was awful. It could be
easily seen from the city. The peo-
pie were gathered in their yards and
on their porches to witness the display
of the heavens. The rain was not fall
ing in Heppner, but could be seen some
distance away. Sharp flashes OF light
ming We're accompanied by thunder.
Then, suddenly, the thunder died away,
and left an ominous silence. Then a
low, rumbling noise was heard, very
faint at first, but growing louder. AS
the noise grew louder and louder, the
people became frantic.
In moment the van Of the flood
burst into view around the curve Of
Willow creek, carrying in it's crest the
cabins and houses which stood in it's
path. The people made a rush to the
hills, but were too late. The food was
upon them. The little river is ordinarily
ten feet wide and six inches deep; in
five minutes it was transformed into a
roaring torrent 400 feet wide and 20
feet deep. Houses were lifted from
foundations and carried on the swirl
ing waters. Resistance was impossible.
People were caught in their homes and
forced to crawl out on the roof. Then,
as the house moved down the stream.
they caught onto the trees and hung
there until morning, when they were
rescued. The depot was left standing;
also the two warehouses containing
$500, 900 pounds of WOOL
The most reliable estimate places the
number of dead at 300. All day long
help in the shape of provisions, blank
cts and men who have come to bury the
dead and help restore order have pour
ed In. The Oregon Railway & Navi-
cation track was opened as far as Lex
1ngton, nine miles away, this afternoon,
and from now on the work of relief
can proceed more eXpeditiously, as the
wagon road from here to Lexington is
good and supplies can be brought in by
teams In few hours after they reach
the end Of the railway. It will prob
ably be several days before the track
is opened to Heppner, as the roadbed is
washed out for almost the entire dis
lance Of nine miles.
The scene from the hillside over
looking the town is one of desolation.
P1leS OF wreckage, in many places SO
1eet nigh, fill the canyon for half mile
below town. AS the debris, which is
covered many feet deep in mud, is
cleared away, more bodies are found.
immense boulders weighing tons were
rolled away by the flood and deposited
IN the midst Of or lodged against build
ings..
An appeal has been sent out for men
to clean the streets and to assist in
searching the great mass of debris for
bodies.
Three Hundred Bodies Found.
A special from Heppner says Willow
Creek, which on Sunday night wiped
out more than half of this town, has
shrunk to the size of a brook About
100000 worth Of property has been
destroyed at Heppner. Several thou
sand persons have arrived from out
side places and an army Of men anG
horses is Sitting debris.
Three hundred bodies have been
found and there are men who say the
work is only half begun. An army of
women take charge of the bodies as
they are borne out Of the wreckage by
the men. Forms of women frequently
come to light bereft Of all clothing,
The bodies are borne to Roberts hall
to be washed and dressed by women,
to be shrouded in coarse white clothes
to be laid in rough wooden boxes.
There is no time for ceremony. The
stores are Uttered with mud that drips
from the dead, and the living patter
through it or sweep it out when it gets
too deep.