davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1903-06-19

Since Sunday evening, Willow creek
canyon ID which fair Heppner once
proudly stood with its 14OO prosperous
people, has been veritable valley Of
death.
The story of the cause Of the terrible
catastrophy is easily and quickly told, /,
but the consequent and pitiful condi-
tions following can never be truthfulIy
and accurately protrayed. Pen pic
lures from trained newspaper cores
pondents have been trailing in during
the week, supplemented with photo
graphs, in vain attempts to depict and
give to the world the misery, sorrow
and woe which the greatest calamity in
: all annals Of Pacific Coast history has
left in its awful train of devastation and
horror.
An electric storm; cloudburst that
pfecipitated pillows of seething waters
down the steep sides of foothills ia the
blue mountains, down, down Willow
creek canyon, with ever increasing
speeds@-0n and on, roaring, grinding
and crushing everything movable in it's
pathway, carrying giant trees and huge
boulders .on its crest "a solid wall Of
total destruction it swept through the
beautiful residence portion of the town
Homes crumbled like shocks of wheat
before a gale, and the inmates were
caughtin)a death trap from which es-
cape was impossible. Such is the story
Of the cause Of Heppper's disaster. The
fine -ons never ending hour to many
was from6 to z p, M.
The horrors of this tragedy Of the
elements can be but vaguely compre-
hended BY ali who did not witness its
horrible enrichment or visit its locality
Of ruin. The Pass has no salaried
correspondent on the spot, but gives an
accurate description Of the scene Of the
food from the lips Of Mr.. Tooher,
=
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1903-06-19
Caring for the Dead.

In answer to the cali for under
takers, Alf johnson responded. He ar
rived in Heppner Tuesday after tor
tuous ride over rough roads and swollen
streams from Pendleton.
"A shocking calamity, the scenes
Of which can never be efFaced from
my memory" said Mr.. johnson to a
Press reporter last night after his re.
turn.
"Ou my arrival in Heppner | at once
took up my work in the morgne and
assisted in preparing the bodies for
burial, as they were brought in from the
wreckage covered with mud and slime.
"No one can adequately give a de-
scription of tho horror that peryades the
scene of desolation, agony and ruin,
even after one has Witnessed it. 1t ap-
pears rather as haunting memory pic
ture which fails portrayal in words.
Description OF Bodies,
Wrapped in blanket, sheet or any
thing available, corpse is brought in.
AS rule scarcely any clothing is left
on the victim, and frequently the cruel
evidences of the awful force of the
food is seen in battered and bruised
bodies, broken limbs and distorted fea-
tures. The body is placed over bath
tub and washed clean. 1t is then placed
10 home-constructed coffin, a cloth is
thrown over it and it is kept as long as
possible for Identification. In some in
stances familiar faces are recognized at
once and word is sent to some relative
on the street. Then follows scene Of
sorrow and tears. When Identification
is not made, description is taken and
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1903-06-19
sWAGGART FAMILY GONE.

Daughters and Grandchildren Swept
Away.
q. @. Osburn returned from Heppner
last night. He confirms the reports re-
garding George Swaggart's family. Two
daughters and five grandchildren are
victims OF the food. They we're: Mrs,
O. L. Andrews and three children, Ma
bel, aged IL; Vashti, aged 8 and Clara,
aged A; Mrs. r. l.. Beard, another
daughter with her two children, James,
aged 4 and v ilber, aged is years. Mrs.
George Swaggart with her son had
left for the East Saturday morning, and
so escaped the food. Mr.. Swaggart
also escaped.
Mr.. G. L. Andrews, who is in Alaska,
is a son Of Mrs. Brandon, Of this city,
mother OF Mrs. o. G. Chamberlain.
l.. B. Banks and Wife.
Three weeks ago, l.. B. Banks, OF
Milton, and Miss Taylor were married.
They went directly to Heppner to re-
side and were lost in the food. The
bodies we're on this mornings train, be-
ing taken to Milton for burial.
List is 1874.
Yesterday thirteen more bodies were
added to the list Of recovered dead, and
the Pendleton Tribune correspondent
gives the total found Hp to last evening
to be 15l. This is supposed to be the
authentic list, and Mr.. Osburn stated
this morning that conservative Heppner
residents placed the total at over 200
lives, including the bodies already re-
covered and those numbered among the
missieg.
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1903-06-19
Work Is Now Systematized and Men
- Toll in Stencil and Slime
:. .a Recovering Bodies
4 Athena's Generous Deed.

7a Heppner, June 1870 II. Barrett, .4then0,
Oregon.--I arrived here all right The people of
athena did the best deed of their liues by sending
the $495 here to help the people Of Heppner in their
distress. They have GOT all the men and naoneY
that tbeyNeed. don't h,aow uUheu 1cil1 be honse
@at"D0Uid Tailor" 81.
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1903-06-19

the corpse is taken to the cemetery for
burial among the unknown dead.
| II was dressing the body of man
named Wells, when the body of little
| girl was laid beside me and man, with
| grief in his dry eyes, and with his soul
rasping words, said he was her father
and told me the story Of her death. In
company with two playmates, shagwas
! below his home on the sidewalk. When
1 the torrent came it hoated the walk
away with the little girls upon it. A
wave of the hand to the frantic mother
and the little cargo was rushing out on
the food. A moment later dash came,
the walk plunged into the air, fell over
and was lost to sight.
zone man went through the flood
without stitch OF clothing on him.
Another told pitiful story. He and
his wife clung to wagon box. A
tree struck his wife and she was seen
no more. The box went over and his
three children found watery graves. He
was eventually rescued, to die in the
care of friends as the result of injuries.
These are but two incidents. There are
scores of others. @
In q Had State.
"As rule, the bodies now being
brought in are in bad state Of preserv-
alton, and cannot be kept long. The
air is impregnated with tho odor of
chemicals, and the stencil from burning
flesh of dead animals that have been
taken from the wreckage.
"All sorts Of reports are coming out
as to the number lost When / left at
10 a. m. Wednesday the records showed
that ITO had been recovered. When
the end comes think the total number
will reach in the neighborhood of 200."
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1903-06-19
An swfuI sight.

"The sight that met my eyes stagger-
ed me and for d moment could not
conceive the awful danger. Unable to
move, stood as though chained. hen
| broke from the spot and ran down
stairs, shouting warning to those with
in hearing Of my voice. i
Il had seen what had appeared to be a
great pyramid Of rolling, dirty wook
Projecting from this at every conceive
able angle, writhing, twisting and tom,
bling, but ever moving onward with the
speed Of an express train, we're trees,
houses, great rocks aud tons Of earth.
The wall Of water was fully 30 feet
high and as far as | could see behind il
a sea Of turbulent, brown-ilack liquid
stretched.
Even as my eyes first rested on this
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1903-06-19

Portland salesman, and the awful re-
suit as told by ALI Johnson, of Athena.
Speaking of the terrible food time, Mr..
Tooker said
Everything was peaceful and quiet.
1t was Sunday and the people Of Hep
pner we're in their homes most Of them
preparing their evening meals. There
was no thought Of danger and a warn
ing that danger threatened would have
been but the cry of madman to the
ears Of most. Given 20 minutes time
every soul in the city could have reach
ed place of safety. s&k
II was in my room in the Palace
hotel and going to the window, which
faced up Willow creek and toward the
hills, I saw great mass Of the blackest
clouds huddlihg over the mountain
tops. From that time on the roll of
thunder was incessant and deafening,
but the people of Heppner paid little or
no attention to it. Purely by accident
| went to the window to take one more
look at those threatening clouds.
The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1903-06-19

AS
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-28

sale OF spirituous, vinous or malt liquors,
or medieatcd bitters,
By AR cotreil. Act to prevent hunting
or hshing on Sunday.
BY Mr. Connslly Relating 70 the quail.
lcation Of jurors
By Messrs Napier, Marsh. Sanders and
Rngland Providing for two additional
terms Of the district court in smith county
eud changing dine OF holding court In
smith, Van zandt. Wood and Upshur coun.
tlea
Nv Mr. Terrell ot Travis Fixing the re.
Quisltes 81 charter OF Incorporation,
ny Mr. Gibbs Authorizing commissioners
courta 20 issue bonds, nOt 10 exceed S20oJ,
Ivy amy court &C one time 90 assist in pay
Ing current expenses ~ the county
BY Mir, Ware Relating TO the removal
OK county seats.
BY Mr. Egan- Relating TO fraternal bene-
NCarv associations
BY Mr. Cottrell--To exempt cotton fac-
tories from taxation for period Of ten
years
nv Mr. Bennett Relating to the hiring
" county copVicts
BY Mr. Love. by request Violating to du-
tiea and liabilities Of telegraph companies.
ny Mcssrs. Seahury aud Nelms-Act 30 fix
time Within Witch power of sale conferred
on mortgages and deeds of trust may be
exercised
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-28

pendins substitute BY Mr. weinert 70 ex.
empt retail merchants
ana said II there Is any reason why
dentists should be exempt from occupation
taxes the same should apply TO retail mer
chants"
NIr Holsey said that he. merchant.
rays larger occupation tax than any OF
the professional men. and that the lpCisia-
iure, being COMPOSED 50 largely of pro-
tcsslonal men. should not pass the blll
he believed that physicians should he re
qdired TO pay an OCCUPATION tax
Mr.. Terrell ~ Travis opposed the bill
Mr. Nelms stated that be had opposed tn
amendment oNemWiug lawNcrs from occu-
patton taxes and moved that the bin y
reemmtted. Adopted.
House bill No &C. nv Mr. Beatty, 70 tax
bank surplus and individual PROFITS was
passed hnally.
House hlIl No "a, by Mr. Glenn. provld.
ing for extension Of corporate limits %
any town or village Incorporated for free
school purposes only, was taken up an
passed finally under suspension Of the
rules
House bill No. las by Mr. Middlehrook
10 extend time Of paying taxes IN Nacog
docheS county because of the distress
ca,ised by the failure Of the Wettcrmark
bank. was laid before the house
Mr.. shannon raised n question that ths
thirty days notice that relief would he
sought, as required by law, had not been
MIR Niiddlehrook insisted that the relief
sought did not come within the provisions
of the law.
Amendments wore introduced as follows
Bv MeSsrs Murray Of Rurlcsnn, Fowler
| and Lowe, to add Burleson Rrnsog and
Washington counties; nv Mr. Pearson Of
| Bnrnet to add Rurnet county: by MIR.
| Wonten to add Colorado county. ana nv
! Mr.. Seaburv 10 add Zapata county all Of
/ which amendments We've accented hv Nir
| Niddlehrook and added 10 the hill
| An amendment nv Mr. Wclncrt 10 al
| Guadalupe. Wilson Plnuco Llano ana Gil.
! lcspie. counties WIS not Adopted
! on division the hil MS amended WIS
Pe1rsCu 20 ,, Gm sr,nSs'9t hy, vote ~ ~ 10 So
! linn. 10 provide FOR raising the grade NJ IA
| city or Galveston, which had heen mad q
| special order Tor lN'3n o'clock was take
| M and passed 70 engrossmert
Mr.. Green asked for suspension ~ tn
rules ana 1nnl possnce Of the bill m
rules wero srsrcpdod nv a vote Of 1oT to s
| M"sScs Rcatv. Cunnnehom. Davis ~
Brown md Edwards voted against sus
Tho bin was Nnnllv passed by vote Of %
Nessrs Rcotv. Brow Of Fans 'C4npTinc
] hnm Rewards SiNhs. Glenn jackson.
| Mo"Nn 'loe ana Harrington.
a motto" hv VI Harris to reconsider AMI
Tho hin nv MIR browne NJ Ksrnes. nltov
I inr etNrFother 20 nS~rv Vie stopdaurhtcr
wos passot TO onarosement
UoNse hul M - bv Mr. Browne nt
Knrnee. was laid before tho house nv III,
I sneaker. Tho bill ~clateS n sHlo ~ roo
csfat" under execution and Publishing no
ito" ~ cole IN tNN newspapers
Mr. Pickett offered nm amendment strlk
ING o"t III" "oactne clause and spoke
scNirst tho bill
of the hill and Mr. Pl"rson NJ Hunt als,
favoroa ~, massage of tho act
Mr. Pi"fnr'y amendment was lost hv
vote ~ 81 10 30
NJ Talbot oNorod nm amcndrart chang
ing tho tlrne Of issnins tho writ of eNocu
tion to allow ton dovs ~ clans" nft
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-28


Favorably with adverse minority report
By Grnuan on Hlns bill making llmita-
tlon OF six months IN contrasting sales Of
public land.
Fayorably, with amendments, bill by Sc
bnstan aud Patterson providing that a.
vorccd parties shall not be permitted 70
marry within twelve months after the al
vorce decree: adverse minority report by
Senator Hale.
Favorably Hn's bill diminishing the OWL
ana criminal jurisdiction OF the county
court Of Sutton county,
Referred 10 subcommittee of Senators
Hale Patterson and Stafford bin by Har.
urr providing for the Incorporation OF
mutual fire, storm and lightning insurance
companiee.
Adversely on Faublon's bill deferring the
cfect Of n conveyance Of real estate where
hy the deed or other instrument allen for
the purchase money or a part thereof IS
expressly retained
Favorhbly on bill by Davidson Of Calves
ton providing for admissions 70 practice
law hy creating district examining boards,
etc.
Favorahly on Haiee bill providing that
the state shall pay cost ~ quarantine.
Favorably on bill by Hil introduced this
morning providing relief Tor railway, belt
and suburban companies
TavOrably on bill hy Hicks providing for
cancellation ~ Judgments ana Hens py en-
terina tho satisfaction on the record
Fagorsbly on Decker'e hill providing for
forfeiture Of permits Of foreign corporations
which transfer ans cause from State 10
Federal court because OF diverse Citizen
ship.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-28
A n1nu L1cpNsg LIE.

Austin, Texas. January T.--In this day
and particular time, when 80 many coun-
ties IN the State have adopted and are
striving 20 adopt local option, when local
option coatc6ts arc pending or about TO be
pending In some OF the larger cities and
especially when It is In the air that a pro
bibition amendment 10 the constitution may
bo submitted by this legislature, anything
pertaining to the liquor trafhc Will be %
Interest. -,
Mr.. Miller Of Howard county has bill
now before the house committee on reye-
nue. and taxation to tx the liquor license
Tho bill provides that an occupation YAK
NJ S3tg Emil be paid TO the state by every
person selling intoxicating drinks by what
ever name known and regardless OF the
manner IN which said drinks are sod ana
anywhere whore local option Is not IN force,
and nuts a further tax OF $500 for selling
intoxicating drinks on physicians certln-
cates in local option districts.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-28
A DEPOSITORY PLAN
Scheme May Be Sprung TO Let Banks
Have the States Surplus.
GALVESTON BILL WAS PASSED
y the House Under Suspension Of the
Regular Rules
OUFF'S RICE GROWING BILL IMPORTANT
1t Is Probable that It viii Cause a Con
siderable Amount Of Discussion
When It Comse Up.
GALVESTON BILL WAS PASSED
IUFF'S RICE GROWING BILL IMPORTANT

Austin, Texas, January GA measure OF
signal Importance to the State is being dis
cussed among some Of the members Of both
houses, and that IS the Introduction OF A
bill for establishing state repositories and
loaning the States money to the highest
bidder
The proposition Is not to have less than
twenty repositories equally distributed
over the state The National or State hank
bidding t0e highest rate Of interest for the
States money that is to say. one-twentieth
Of IT, there being twenty depositories-is
made a depository the rate Of interest not
TO he less than 2 per cent At regular
pHriods Of the year. say at the Nesinnlng
Of each month, the balance IN the state
treasury win be divided ana deposited
THESE repositories viii be required 10 give
good and sufficient gltedged bonds TO
cover the loans ia them
The monthly balances in the treasury are
alleged 70 accumulate and lie il In the
treasury vaults year in and year out and
it is afgued that the money had better be
drawing some interest. especially 70 it can
be- perfectly sofeguarded with security IL
would also 1t is further alleged, be doing
some good by being in circulation among
the people
| Hon Curtis Hancock Is giving the matter
considerable study. ana while be has NOT
yet made UP his mind for or against The
project he has gone to the trouble 10 SO.
cure from the State treasurer @ copy Of.
monthly balances IN the treasury which
might be loaned to these highest biddIAs
/ repositories. Following is the showing:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-28
ro FURTHER PROTECT MARRIED
WOMEN

Austin. Texas, January Pit was the
nollc, OF tho fnthers Of Texas, IN the days
Of the Republic 20 safeguard the rights OF
the vito in all ways possible They estab-
Iished the homestead law, the community
law. giving the wife one-half Of all prop
erty accumulated during coverture and pre-
served 70 her her rights in her separate
property owned before marriage The same
bollcy has como on down the line through
the State legislatures since
In this snue direction Mr. CottrolI OF
Collin county has introduced n bill TO tur-
tbcr protect tho married woman In her
separate property by providing that US
increase and oil income from II Aball ne
EXEMPT from forced sale to snusfy the
debtn Of the husbnnd. The bill was sent
10 tho committee on revenue ana taxation
and IL now IN It's hands with Il good pros
pect for favorable report, and seemingly
an equally fair chance Of passing the
house,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-28
HOUSTON WEDNESDAY MORNING. JANUARY Is Igo

monty Cor tn majority report wkcp no
rattle viii open. This measure is vital 1
South aud Southeast Texas ana should
become law.
Wee culture was commenced In the south
erh portion OF the State about I'VE years
nsN aud foreign and local capital was ~
vested IN irrigation plants necessary to sue
( eessiully raise this valuable crop. Thes
concerns bought common prairie land never
heiole used for anything but grazing pur
poses md only worth IS per acre. rhes,
'ahns by Irrigation plants and canals hav,
ehapled the purchasers to cultivate rlc,
successfully aud are now held and sold
et 500 per ncrc. As large amount o
capital Is required to handle this crop. nat
urally all concerns engaged IN It's culture
assumed tho form OF corporations
Many OF these companies secured char
| ttrs authorizing them not only 10 own lrrl
/ CATION plants and machinery, but to own
/ land aud cultivate rice Last summer IN
a mandamus proceeding brought against
Secretary Of state Tod 1T the supreme
1 court the court held that no power was
/ given under the present law authorizing
The formation Of corporations for these pur.
poses aud hence an enormous amount OF
CAPITAL In South Texas was jeopardlsed by
the nvalidaton Of charters
The present hill Mr. Dun explained this
morning, has for It's purpose tho granting
Of authority for the formation OF corpora.
tons to own land grow rice and mn'utaIu
Irrigation plants with power to condemn
right OF way for canals ana bitches, 70
own mills and to authorize existing cor
porations to amend their charters aud avail
themselves OF the provisions Of the Inv
Members Of the committee G'ssented
because of tile fact that power was given
M the hin to corporations TO exercise other
powers, including the right OF eminent do.
main All persons familiar with rice chi.
ture understand that no greater power Is
asked I'm the DUFF bin than Is absolutely
, essential to the successful pursuit Of this
industry
The several purposes expressed In the
, blu agc all co-nate. and are needed Ia
achieve the best results IL those sections
devoted to rice culture
The members OF tho committee disscutluu
did SO upon tho declaration that thcy
/, thought the jnulrr Of sovorgl purposes h
. one charter contrary 20 public policy. But
If it be born I'm mlul that each OF the pur
r poses .o1toneH'c is In itself merit
tolt.s and tua- G.. fn ourage the dcrel
o. men, Of u.v productive industries Is ira
diticnal 30 ieEt. ara also the present pol
Sc, %. f"e a"aHurutl. ngetv, and espe-
cuur thai JUe corporations iostercd by thi.
|Iil ac, -. H..rH -e very aptthcsls o
the character O. tne corporations tina
might be harmful TO the State, It must b,
3 conceded that this bin should pass.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-28
HOUSE sTATB AFFATRs.

Favorably Gr.ggs' bill providing for loca-
ticn and purchase and erection and main
tenance Of state Industrial school; Muir.
rel's bill withholding payment By county
treasurer OF Juror or witness certificate
when money IL due for taxes from holder
OF such certificate: Smiths bin authorizing
the incorporation o. eertiheates for two
rell OF Travis relating TO the duties OF
state revenue agent.
The anti-rnilroad people IN the State
cnme n grief this afternoon. The house
committee on state ahFirs altnnst upani.
Boieiy reported adYemsly the bill Of Hon,
Emery smith Of penton 70 proAihiE the
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-28

Sanford. the object OF which il to protect
the Wild game birds and wild fowl OF the
state. 1T amends sections . and Of the
law now In force 70 protect game birds and
wild fowl 40 as 10 inclnde Mongolian OF
English pheasants, antelope or Rocky Noun
tain sheep for the space % 1--WE years.
A number Of hunting clubs Of the State
have gone TO the expense Of importing
pheasnnta and turning them loose In the
wiids and the aims Of the bill Is TO give
these birds a chance 10 propagate and get
q foothold that the State may not he en-.
tireiy destitute OF game birds. In the noun
tainous regions, especially around FL Paso,
there are como Rocky Mountain sheep, and
a few antelope remain Ia the unsettled
regions Of the Panhandle, particularly In
those counties contiguous TO New Mexico,
ana some perhaps remain on the prairie
stretches Of Southwest Texas.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-28
TO CREATE A STATE TAXATION
BOARD.

Austin, Texas, January 2T.--The coilec-
ton Of franchise tax from corporations.
especially this railroads Of the State. has
been vexstious question IN many coun-
ties IN the state and has resulted in some
litigation The right or the Justice OF ex-
acting this tar has been and is yet a
mooted question.
Mr.. Williams has introduced and had re.
ferred 10 the committees on revenue ana
Intangible assets OF public corpora tons pro
viding for their valuation and for their
distribution for local taxation. The bill
eftect III proviAionE In these intangible
assets are enumerated charters and fran
chlses.
II II a bill right after the railroads, but
nc public corporation Is exempt,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-28
suioided By Cuttinn Her Throat.

~. .VAianey' Texas January 27.-Wotd has
Nv W. ,sCelyed here Of the suicide Sunday Of
~ Y H. Banton. wife OF hl.hlv re-.
sSp 800 farmer residing near Pike Her
t5onIuu was shaving and steppeu into an
gsst s.Ag room, leaving his razor IN the
ptsss5c, Waefe his yife seized it and I'm the
k,r ,sss--,SI their 9yeqr-old daughter. cut
yes,s sl y from ear to cur she was IS
hi seS ~ age, Her mind mad been. affected
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-28
nn1-sr rnrcArInNA1-

Fnvorahy bill by Brown Of Falls relating
to extension Of time OF teachers certia.
Gates. and Benefits hill restricting the
transferring OF children from one scholastic
district TO another
Tho committee reported adversely Sea.
hury's hill providing for instruction IN
manual training and art " teaching manual
training IN the State normal schools A
minority report favorable to the hlll VIII be
submitted.