Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1903-06-17


The first news got out to Arlington
by David McAtee, a Heppner courier
Travel anywhere is most difficult, how
ever, because unusually heavy rains
and numerous waterspouts throughout
these thinly settled districts have left
roads here and there almost impas
sable. 1t is dangerous travelling at
night, though rigs are coming from
every direction.
A commercial traveller named Baugh
made several brave rescues, Elizabeth
Matlock, whom he pulled from hole
in lumber yard, being one. A man
named Kelly this morning found a
months old baby, stiff, wet and muddy.
All it's relatives had been drowned or
killed, and 1t was apparently dead
itself. When washed, given brandy
and blown on, the infant revived and
will live.
Many Of the dead are badly mangled,
with limbs broken and faces bleeding
and crushed through contact with
whirling wreckage Identification Is
possible, however, in most cases. Many
people were at church.
The extreme suddenness of the dis
aster is its peculiar feature. The fair
Willow creek bottom south of Heppner
for 25 miles down is waste. Ranchers'
houses are swept away, orchards are
torn up, alfalfa fields and wheat are
ruined and stock drowned. Over the
whole area debris Of all descriptions is
scattered. 1t was the second bad time
for Heppner within a week. Three or
four nights ago a waterspout came
down near town, drowning some stock
and doing other damage, but destroy
ing no lives.
Relief is offered from many outside
points. Fifteen hundred dollars was
On hand here for Fourth of July cele-
bration, and this will probably be de-
voted to the sufferers.
Follows Thunder Storm.
Early in the afternoon a thunder
storm occurred over a wide region of
country and later a heavy rain storm
set in, many of the small streams over
lowing their banks in an incredibly
short time Bridges were swept away
ike straws and the darkness Of the
night soon made the situation more
appalling.
AS soon as possible after the ter
'ible food subsided the work of relief
was commenced by the citizens of the
own. Dozens of bodies were found
lodged along the bends in the stream
and in several places they were piled
over one another. Up to 2 o'clock in
he afternoon 900 bodies had been re-
covered, almost within the city limits.
rhe buildings which were not carried
lway were moveu from their founda-
lions or toppled over. Hundreds Of
cattle, horses, sheep and pigs that had
gone into the creek bottoms for water
perished.
Communication Shut OF.
All means of communication was cut
)ff. AS soon as possible news was sent
BY courier to nearby towns and meas
lres looking to the relief of the strick-
en- people were commenced. The Ore
yon Railroad G. Navigation company
started a relief train from The Dalles
shortly after noon with party Of 100,
three doctors. four nurses,
80 horses, blankets and supplies Of all
kinds.
At 1: 80 this afternoon a relief train
with doctors and supplies started for
he scene from this city. The citizens
If Portland started a relief fund as,
soon as the news of the disaster spread
over the city, and within few hours
$4,000 was raised. Supplies will be rush
I'd to Heppner as soon as they can be
e.
Fifteen buildings in the town Of Lex
ngton, nine miles below Heppner on
Willow creek, were washed away, but
here was no loss Of life, the inhabi-
.ants having had time to save them
selves from the surging torrent.
At lone, II miles away, considerable
lamage was done to buildings. though
40 loss Of life is reported from there.
Word was received here from lone
ate this afternoon that 300 collins were
needed at once at Heppner. The wealth
or is hot and 1t is necessary that the
lead be buried at once. One hundred
coffins were sent on the o. r. & N.
overland tonight and more will be sent
rom The Dalles and Pendleton.
The Portland Office Of the o. r & N.
received the following from Heppner
via Echo:
Roughly estimated almost all the
people living on the banks Of Willow
creek are drowned.
Need relief in shape OF large body
Of men to help clear away debris and
recover bodies. Haste is very essen
Lial, as the weather is turning warm
and the dead must be buried before
sets in. Damage to track
further than that for 10
miles below here it is more than two
thirds washed out.
agent Herman and wife are pre-
dead, as they have not yet
been found.
Depot and all loaded and empty
cars still intact, but the yards are
washed away"
Heppner is the terminal Of the Hepp-
ner branch of the o. r. & N. railroad,
1877 miles east of Portland and As miles
from the Columbia river, and is the
largest town between The Dalles and