Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-06-20

OREGON'S FLOOD DISASTER.
<Map Shows Converging Creeks, Whose
Combined Waters in a Cloudburst De-
stroyed Two-Thirds of Heppner at Cost
of Many Lives)
is the report from Heppner. Other
help seems fairly well supplied. Men
have been coming in to assist in clear
ing away the wreckage and searches
for bodies.
Witness Story of the Disaster.
Spokane, WASH, June ia special
to the Spokesman Review from Echo,
Ore. says:
at Heppner when the disaster hap
pened Sunday evening, was the first to
bring out news. He was there when
the disaste occurred, and remained
until nine o'clock Monday morning. He
gives a graphic description of the ter
rible affair. He said the rushing tor
rent came at $50 in the evening when
most of the inhabitants were at their
evening meal.
'All were taken SO suddenly and
without warming" said Mr.. Tooker,
''that nothing could be done to save
those who were caught in the rushing
waters. Homes, stores and buildings
in the main portion of the town were
torn loose and driven onward, one jam
causing the water to pile into another,
and then sweep away again, causing
more buildings to go.
Dead Estimated at 800.
"a low estimate places the dead at
800. The town has a population of
about 1900, but only about one-half Of
the population of the town could be
located. We do not know where they
have gone unless they have gone down
stream. They may have gone to the
hills, but this is doubtful. The whole
thing was one horrible scene, destruc-
ton being spread on every side. From
the time the food came until it went
into the regular channel of the creek,
flowing through the town, it was bout
two hours. 1t was about five o'clock
when the storm first started to gather
to the west of the city. 1t was small
dark cloud at first, but it rapidly grew
worse, accompanied by heavy wind and
lightning. 1t was undoubtedly the
last heavy crash of lightning that
caused the water to fall in such an i'm
mense body. 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 town. AS it came rushing
down the creek bed it tore every thing
in it's path, consisting of trees, large
powders and earth. When it reached
the town the water was more than IS
feet high, as a perpendicular wall,
splashing, falling, leaping and creating
u. a mighty roaring, rushing food. Peo-
pie did not have time to get from their
homes Those who were on the
streets shouted warnings to the peo-
pie 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.
Rescuers at Work.
..Fathers left wives and children to
perish, as they had not moment to
Il snare. In some cases men returned to
save members of their families, but it
4 was too late, and many were carried
10 their death while returning. Those
who had reached the banks in safety
5s Immediately formed themselves into
small rescuing parties, and started in
Ia save those that could be reached.
Ropes were the only means that we
had. Tt was useless,to attempt to use
1 other means. Those who were in mid
3 stream. could easily be seen. Their
pitiful cries for help could be heard,
I but nothins could be done. We could