The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1903-06-20

facilities for keeping corpses, which
are in almost every remaining house,
and are lying around in warehouses.
Undertakes from Pendleton. Walla
Walla, Milton and other towns are en-
route to arrive tomorrow.
The first news got out to Arlington
by David McAtee. a Heppner courier.
ever. because unusually heavy rains
and numerous waterspOuts throughout
these thinly settled districts have left
roads here and there almost impas-
sable. 1t is dangerous travelling at
night, though rigs are coming from
every direction.
A commercial traveller named Baugh
made several brave rescues, Elizabeth
Matlock. whom he pulled from a hole
in lumber yard. being one. A man
named Kelly this morning found a 8
months old baby. stitf, wet and muddy,
All its relatives had been drowned or
killed. and IL was apparently dead
itself. When washed. given brandy
and blown on, the infant revived and
will live.
Many Of the dead are badly mangled.
with limbs broken and faces bleeding
and crushed through contact with
whirling wreckage. Identification is
possible. however. in most cases. Many
people were at church.
The extreme suddenness OF the dis
10 - M
Willow creek bottom south Of Heppner
for 20 miles down Is waste. Ranchers'
houses are swept away, orchards are
torn up, alfalfa fields and wheat are
ruined and stock drowned. Over the
whole area debris OF all descriptions is
scattered. 1t was the second bad time
for Heppner within a week. Three or
four nights ago a waterspout came
down near town. drowning some stock
and doing other damage, but destroy.
ing no lives.
Relief is offered from many outside
points. Fifteen hundred dollars was
on hand here for Fourth of July cele-
bration. and this will probably be de-
voted to the sufferers.
Follows Thunder Storm.
Early in the afternoon a thunder
storm occurred over a wide region OF
country and later a heavy rain storm
set in. many of the small streams over
1owing their banks in an incredibly
short time Bridges were swept away
ike straws and the darkness OF the
night soon made the situation more
appalling.
AS soon as possible after the ter
-ible food subsidized the work OF relief
was commenced by the citizens OF the
.own. Dozens OF bodies were found
lodged along the bends in the stream
and in several places they were piled
over one another. Up to 2 O'Clock In
he afternoon 300 bodies had been re-
covered, almost within the city limits.
The buildings which were not carried
away were moved from their founda-
ions or toppled over. Hundreds of
'attle. horses. sheep and pigs that had
gone into the creek bottoms for water
oerished.
Communication Shut or.
All means OF communication was cut
II. As soon as possible news was sent
~ courier to nearby towns and meas
Tres looking to the relief Of the strick. |
n people were commenced. The Ore.
;on Railroad & Navigation company
tarted relief train from The Danes
hortly after noon with a party Of 100, |
including three doctors, four nurses, |
% horses. blankets and supplies Of all /
finds.
At 1880 this afternoon a relief train
With doctors and supplies started for
he scene from this city. The citizens |
4 Portland started a relief fund as
Don as the news OF the disaster spread
yer the city. and within a few hours
5000 was raised. Supplies will be rush.
d to Heppner as soon as they can be
ssembled.
Fifteen buildings In the town Of Lex.
lgton. nine miles below Heppner on
Willow creek, were washed away, but
here was no loss OF life, the Inhabl-
ants having had time to save them
0A'No AACAA tAS SUI sung LOIEtuL-
At lone. II miles away, considerable
amage was done to buildings. though
o loss Of life Is reported from there.
Word was received here from lone
ate this afternoon that 300 collins were
eeded at once at Heppner. The wealth.
r Is hot and It is necessary that the
cad be buried at once. One hundred
ofins were sent on the o. r. & n.
yerland tonight and more will be sent
rom The Dalles and Pendleton.
The Portland office Of the o. r & N.
eceived the following from Heppner
la Echo: II
Roughly estimated almost all the
eople living on the banks Of Willow
-eek are drowned.
Killed by Blast.
Kalispell Mont, June f7.-Word has