Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-06-19

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:
N. I. Tooker, of Portland, who was
at Heppner when the disaster hap.
pened Sunday evening, was the first to
bring out news. He was there when
the disaster occurred. and remained
until nine o'clock Monday morning. He
gives 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 warning" 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 we're
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 300.
"a low estimate places the dead at
300. The town has a population of
about $500, 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 about
two hours. 1t was about five o'clock
when the storm first started to gather
to the west of the city. 1t wasa small
dark cloud at first, but it rapidly grew
worse, accompanied by heavy windand
lightning. 1t was undoubtedly the
last heavy crash of lightning that
caused the water to fall in such an i'm.
mense body. It. 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 everything
in its path, consisting Of trees, large
powders and earth. When itreached
the town the water was. more than Is
feet high, IS perpendicular wall,
splashing, falling, leaping and creating
o mighty roaring, rushing flood. 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 mt Work.
"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
" t'S'h oSotn 4uOsSe
who had reached the banks in safety
immediately formed themselves into
small rescuing parties, and started in
TO save those that could be reached.
Ropes were the only means that we
had. 1t was useless,to attempt to use
ether means. Those who were in mid
stream could easily be seen. Their
pitifnl cries for help could be heard.
hut nothing could be done. We could
only stand and see them 20 to their
death. The rescuing work was still go
ing on when I came away. When was
leaving so bodies had been placed in
Heppner bank, which was used as q
morgue.
Heavy Damage to Property.
1t is estimated that the damage to
property alone was 100000. Some Of
the brick and stone buildings were not
torn away, but there were some OF
them moved from their foundations.
The goods in several buildings were
ssved. When these merchants opened
Tor businsss they aent word 70 chs re.