The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-31
0KtHH0MA'S
EXCESSIVE ].
RAINFALL
Rain This Spring Breaks.
Previous Reco rdS
SOUTH CANADIAN RIVER
Is Highest Ever KnOwn--Dam-
age to Crops

Guthrie. o. T., May 3O.-The excessive
rainfall throughout the territory which
has lasted for many days, resulting in
the overflow of rivers and creeks, damag-
, ing growing crops adm endangerins the
| lives OF numerous persons, is without pre-
cedent in Oklahoma. Heavy spring rains
| in the territory are not unusual. but the
rains of the present spring have broken
| all records and destroyed the former
stories of the "old timer who often
| bosated of high water in Oklahoma, years
| ago.
Men who have been in Oklahoma for
! years state that the South Canadian
river, the most treacherous stream in
the west, has been higher than ever
/ known before This is also true of other
streams and it is impossible 20 estimate
the damage done to property and grow
| ing crops in the lowlands adjacent to
| these streams. In addition TO rainfall,
Oklahoma has had more than her share
of windstorms. Property has been de-
stroyed, and almost every day there have
been reports concerning tornadoes which
did more or less damage.
Railroads in the territory have never
had experiences equal TO those of the
| present time. Large bridges which
stood the test for years, have gone out.
1t will take weeks and weeks to repair
the damage resulting from high water.
1t will be days before trains can be
| operated regularly. Many gangs of work
men have been engaged to repair breaks
in the track. officials have done all in
their power to prevent the destruction of
property, but the elements were more
than any man, or set of men, could con-
troll
With the exception of the lowlands,
crops have not been much damaged by
the rains 1t is true that farmers have
been kept from their work, but a few
days of warm weather, accompanied by
sunshine. will remedy this matter
Almost every paper published in the
territory gives accounts of high water
damages, and in many instances, the loss
of lives are recorded.
From reports received at this office
the wheat crop is in good condition. OF
course, many fields of wheat along the
| large streams and lowlands have been de-
stroyed. When acreage is taken into con-
sideratiOn, the per cent will not be large.
There is little danger from rust, as
much of the wheat has passed the rust
stage" This was the statement made to-
day by J. B. ThobUrn. secretary of the
board of agriculture. Others interested
in the growing crops say there win be
little damage on the uplands and that
the only losses viii be along the streams.
The Hobart News Republican tells the
following of the storm in Kiowa county:
re food at Harrison has proved to be
much more serious than the first reports
indicated. 1t now develops that five, in
stead Of two, were drowned Sunday night
in the food near that town.
Three of the bodies We're recovered
/ Those of Mrs. Bryles and her little child,
and the three-months-old child of Mr.
Alexander, who lives two miles north of
Harrison.
The names of the other two whose
bodies have not been recovered could not
be learned. It is also reported that sew
eral Indians We're drowned at Anadarkc
at the same time.
Charley Smith proprietor Of the Rose
Valley dairy. had fifty-two head of cat
tie on a leased Indian allotment on Elk
creek. six miles south of town, when the
food came last Saturday He was out
in the bottom yesterday trying to find
them. Out of the whole herd he was abb,
to find only three He thinks the most
of them were drowned, as the sloughs
below the pasture are lined with dead
cattle, some of which he is certain are
his
{. II. Lamb returned from Washita
| Junction last evening over the Frisco
from the north. He stated to our re-
porter this morning that there was no
damage done by the recent storms in that
town, and that the townsite was not
flooded, as reported. Trains were de-
layed at Washita river only two hours
on account of the high water.
Dave Evans. who was crushed Saturday
evening by the falling OF the west wall
Of Corn's new building. is reported ~
! his physicians TO be ont of danger. This
is good news. for everybody was fearful
that his injuries would prove fatal. The
others who were injured az the same
time are much improved.
Hobart is not isolated as a result OF
/ the foods as it was first supposed Il
would be. The Frisco is now IN operation
I from one end to the other The morn
ing train went north on schedule time
and mail is coming in from both ways.
however it viii be several DAYS before
the train can pass on the Rock Island
road east, as there are many bridges
destroyed. Meantime the Rock Island
people VIII run their trains from FL Reno
over the Choctaw to washita Junction
thense over the Frisco 10 this city. From
here they viii use their own road 10
ManCtm
J. c. Hail. who lives five miles and a
half northeast % this city. was in the
Office this morning and stated that he
had lost twenty-five acres Of wheat by
| the hail that fell last Saturday evening
/ All other crops were greatly damaged by
I the hail and the heavy rain that accom-
{ panied l. n many places the soil vas
washed away from the fields as deep as
it had been plowef- Also he lost a ane
| pond u water. which covered about two
! acres Ills cotton crop was 50 badly dam
aged By the hail and rain that Z VIII -
/ necessary To replant II. \ calf was also
lost By drowning II The creek
II