The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-16
FIVE HUNDRED LIVES
LOST IN CLOUDBURST
Half the Population of Heppner, in
Morrow County, Ore,
Wiped Out.
BODIES PILED UP IN HEAPS.
Rush of Waters Came Without
Warning, Sweeping Away
All the Residence Sec
ton of the Little City.

Portland, Ore, June 1.-THE most ap-
pallng disaster in the history of this State
occurred last evening about o'clock when
the town Of Heppner was almost entirely
destroyed by a cloudburst. and probably 51l
people were drowned.
Heppner is the county seat of Morrow
County and had about 1.25O Inhabitants.
A report from lone, seventeen miles from
Heppner, states that 800 bodies have been
recovered.
a messenger who arrived at lone states
that a wall of water twenty feet high
rushed down into the gulch in which Hepp-
ner is situated and carried everything be-
fore ii.
The flood came with such suddenness that
i the inhabitants were unable to seek places
= OF safety. and were carried down to death
6y the awful rush of water.
Almost the entire residence portion of the
town was wiped out but some of the bust
ness part. which is on higher ground, es-
capped.
Huge boulders. weighing as much as a
ton ron, each, We're carried down by the current
dashed against the rocky BLUM.
Early in the afternoon thunderstorm &C.
CURED, covering a wide region of country.
and later n heavy rainstorm set in. .nany
of the small streams overlooking their
banks in short time.
Bridges We're swept away like straws and
situation more appalling.
BODIES PILED IN HEAPS.
As soon as possible after the terrible flood
sCbsided the work of relief was commenced
by the citizens of the town.
Dozens of bodies were found lodged along
the bends of the stream. and in several
places they We're piled over one another. Up
TO o'clock this afternoon 200 bodies had
been recovered almost within the city linn
~ buildings which were not carried
s were moved from their foundations or
4 led over.
.undreds of horses, cattle sheep and hogs
that had gone into the creek bottoms Tor
water persisted.
News OF the calamity did not reach the
outside world until this morning. ali the
means of communication having been cut
off
AS soon as possible news was sent by
courier to the nearby towns and neighbors
hogan looking TO the relief of the stricken
people.
pany started a relief train from The Dalles
shortly after noon with party of 100. in
GLIDING three doctors, four nurses and sup
plies Of all kinds.
At 1850 this afternoon relief train with
doctors and supplies started for the scene
from this city. The citizens of Portland
started d relief fund as soon as the news of
the disaster spread over the city. and within
a few hours $500 was raised.
Supplies will be rushed TO Heppner as
SOOn as tHe- can De Assembled
THE DEAD.
Following is list of the identified bodies:
- Krug and family.
Thomas Howard and family.
James Jones and family.
Doctor McSwards.
Family of {. a. Rhea.
Mr.. Cars family.
Mrs. Charles Andrews and children.
Mrs. Robert Baird and children.
= Wells. Sr., and family.
James Matlock.
ThmoaS Jatlock's family.
Doctor Hggs children.
Miss Elliott
Miss Elder.
William Cohen and family.
Mr.. GeiEer.
William Walton and family
Herbert Bartholomew family.
John Meyers.
George Noble and family.
Robert Kinds and family.
MIR. and Mrs. Dawson.
Occupants of Hoppner Hotel.
Several Cinnamon.
Mrs. Charles Curtis.
George Tinsley. wife and child
II. A. Boyd's family.
Mrs. W. H. Berg.