Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-06-19
Washington Standard
OLYMPIA, WASH.
FRIDAY MORNING, JTNE 10. 1903.
Terrible Flood in Oregon.

and Z O'Clock, the town OF Heppner
In Morrow county, Oregon, was al
most wiped from the face OF the
earth by a cloudburst. Many people
were drowned and houses were swept
like straws down the valley of Willow
creek, on which the doomed village
was situated. The people were caugh,
mostly in their houses, and had little
chance TO escape the resistless current
The town OF Lexington, ten miles
away, was likewise greatly damaged
and at Arlington and lone houses
were wrecked by the floods. Besides
the dead, which are reported to ag-
gregate at least 300, an equal number
have sustained injuries more or less
grave. County authorities have made
some provision for the sufferers, and
the Oregon Navigation Co. immediate
ly dispatched trains from The Dalles
with relief parties and supplies.
L he disaster i, in some respects q
repetition of the Johnstown horror, in
Pennsylvania, OF May. 1889, but in
proportion to the population involved
the mortality record of the late dis
aster far excels the Conemaugh hor.
ror. In that, Johnstown's population
was nearly $4,000 and Heppner's 800,
and the formers loss $500 people in
GLIDING SO families, and the Heppner
loss is estimated all the way from 300
to 500 and probably GO families. The
Johnstown disaster resulted from break
of dam erected by a fishing club, of
wealthy Pittsburgers, creating a lake
OF several acres extent about ten miles
above Johnstown, at the head of the
valley, while the Heppner horror re.
suited from a cloud-burst at or near
the head of Willow Creek where it,
from other converging streams, drains
y big area of rolling and billy country.
This terrible rain-storm probably en-
braced an area which swept down by
all these conduite towards the valley
below.
An eyewitness says: "The storm
was something fearful. 1t could easily
be seen from the city and many peo-
pie had gathered in their yards and
on their porches to witness the display
in the heavens. The rain was not
falling in Heppner. but could be seen
some distance away. Sharp and vivid
flashes of lightning were accompanied
by crashing thunder. Then suddenly
the thunderstorm died away and left
an ominous silence. The noise sub
sided. Then low rumbling noise
was heard, very faint at first but grow.
ing louder. The city is situated on
Willow creek, which makes q sharp
turn above the city. As this sound
grew louder and louder the people be.
came frantic. But in a moment the
van of the food burst in view around
the curve in the creek, carrying on its
crest the cabins and houses which
stood in its path. Then the people
made q rush to the hills, but were too
late-the food was upon them. The
little river, which is ordinarily ten
feet wide and six inches deep, in five
minutes was transformed into . roar
ing torrent, 400 feet wide, and 20 feet
deep. Houses we're lifted from foun-
dations and carried ON the swirling
waters. Resistance was impossible
Everything was swept before the
rush of the food. People were caught
in their homes and were forced to
crawl out on the roofs. Then 40 the
food carried them down they caught
on trees and hung there until morning,
when they were rescued"
The usual incident to such disasters
was not wanting, and it is said that
Leslie Matlock mounted his horse and
rode down the valley ct break.neck
speed sounding the note of alarm,
and that many lives were saved by his
thoughtful action.
It is to DO lamented that at each re.
curing public calamity like this, it is
noted that the baser side OF human
nature finds expression in acts OF van.
dalism and covetousness. Theft has
been going on despite the strenuous
effort Of the authorities to prevent it,
and it is only by constant watchful-
ness that order has been preserved.
Loiterers are not tolerated and all
must aid in restoring something like
order, or depart. Over forty business
houses were swept from their founda.
lions and valuable stocks destroyed
and fully 100 residences were carried
away with all their household utilities.
Contributions are coming in from all
over the State for the stricken suffer-
ers, and some donations are reported
from this State and Idaho.
Latest reports somewhat reduce the
death aggregate aud it is now thought
that it will probably not exceed $50.
It will require many months, if not
years, to recover the loss of a few
hours in conflict waged by nature
against many's puny works and impo.
tent methods for escape from such
mighty convulsions of Nature.
Yesterday 1000 men and hundreds
of horses are clearing away the debris
of the flood. A relief fund of owe,
SIS 600 is available.
Forty people in abject poverty are
reported at Lexington.
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