Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-06-25

ton OF the town were torn loose anu
driven onward, one jam causing the
water to pile into another and then
sweep away again, causing more
buildings to go.
"a low estimate places the dead at
200" he said. "Only about one.half
the people OF the town could be locat.
ed this morning. We do not know
where they have gone, unless they
have gone down the stream. They
may have gone to the hills, but this is
doubtful. The whole affair was one
and destruction spread on every side.
horrible, sickening scene, with death
From the time the flood came until II
went into the regular channel Of the
crook, flowing through the town, 1t
was about two hours. 1t was about
o'clock when the storm first started
to gather to the west of the city. 1t
was a small dark cloud at first, but II
rapidly grew worse. accompanied by
heavy wind and lightning. II was un.
doubtedly the last heavy fash OF light.
ming that caused the water to fall in
SuCn an immense DOuy.
1T struck fairly in the canyon of
Willow creek, six miles above town,
and there was no warning until the
mighty wall of water had reached the
town. AS It came rushing down the
creek bed II tore everything before II,
consisting Of trees, large powders,
sand and earth. When II reached the
town the water was piled over fifteen
feet high as a perpendicular wall.
splashing, foaming, leaping and Great.
ing mighty. roaring sound. The PEG.
pie did not have time to get out of
their buildings. Those who were on
TIE streets shouted warnings to the
people as they rushed madly to the
hills for their lives. They did not
dare to turn back. or they. too, would
have been swept away. Fathers left
wives and children to perish, as they
had not moment to spare. In some
cases men returned to save members
OF their families. but 1t was too late
and many were carried to their death
while returning.
| Those who had reached the banks
in safety Immediately formed them.
selves into small resCuing parties and
work was at once started in saving
those that could be reached. Ropes
were the only means that we had. 1t
was useless to attempt to use other
means. Those who were in midstream
could easily be seen. Their pitiful
cries for help could be heard, but moth.
iug could be done. We could only
stand and see them go to their death.
Tine rescuing work was still going on
when | came away at o'clock this
morning. When | was leaving. fifty
bodies had been placed In the Hepp.
ner Bank. whore the doors had been
thrown open that the place might be
used for a morgue. We placed q
guard over the bank all night When
we allowed the public in at daybreak
the scene was something narrowing.
Women came to identify their little
babies, their grown children and their
husbands. Fathers came to see their
dead wives and children.
| ""Nh 'it p'oDl' NOn-
troll could be kept over them at all
Mothers fainteS, wives tore their hair
and men cried like little children
Women tainted, at the same time tear,
ing their clothes nearly from their bod.
les. As II was impossible to keep or.
der everybody had TO be excluded. The
worst could not be seen until this
morning. One poor woman was
found pinned between two heavy tim
bers and another woman was found
with her little baby in her arms. In
some OF the houses which had been
washed away and which had not been
shattered there were found several
dead.
1T is estimated that the damage
done to property alone will be $500, 900
Some OF the brick and stone buildings
were not torn away. but there were
some OF them moved from their foun.
dations. The buildings on the high
Hat were all saved, although water
reached some Of them. The goods in
several buildings were saved. When
these merchants opened for business
this morning they sent word to the re.
lief committees to come and take what
goods were wanted. People were com.
ing in from all directions to assist the
suffering and care for the dead. They
could not come by rail. for nine miles
OF the track below town was washed
away. All wire communications were
put out of business.
Leslie Matlock, young man, was
the hero Of the day. When the food
first came he mounted horse and
rode at breakneck speed down the can.
yon in front of the rushing water tC
notify the people of Lexington, a small
town nine miles below. He had to &c
over a rough and stony road, as the
night was dar kand stormy. His
horse leaped over powders, sometimes
nearly throwing the rider, but yet moi
once losing his feet. He arrived al
Lexington Just few minutes ahead Of
the food. The people were warned ant
. | iNnT n1i at al Inft