Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-06-18
APPALLING DISASTER
The Town Of Heppner, Ore. Almost
Destroyed by a cloudburst.
MANY PEOPLE REPORTED DROWNED.
The Inhabitants Unable to Seek Safety and
Carried Down to Death In the Rush
OF Water-Much Live Stock
Also Perished.

Portland, Ore, June 16.-The most
appalling disaster in the history Of
this state occurred Sunday evening
about six o'clock when the town Of
Heppner was almost entirely de-
stroyed by cloudburst and probably
500 people drowned. Heppner Is the
county seat of Morrow county and
has about 1880 inhabitants. The
most reliable reports last night stated
that the loss of life at Heppner will
be at least 500, though the number
OF dead is probably larger. All the
telegraph and telephone lines are
down and no accurate information
can be secured. t
A report from lone, II miles from
Heppner, states that 300 bodies have
been recovered. A messenger who ar
rived at lone states that wall OF
water 20 feet high rushed down in
to the gulch in which Heppner is stu
ated and carried everything before
IL. The food came with such sud-
denness that the inhabitants were
unable ~ seek places of safety and
were carried down to death by the
awful rush of water. Almost the en-
tire residence portion of the town
was wiped out, but some of the bust
ness part, which is on higher ground,
escaped. Huge powders, weighing
ton, were carried down by the cur
rent and many people killed by being
dashed against the rocky bluff.
Early in the afternoon a thunder
storm occurred, covering a wide re-
gion OF country, and later heavy
rainstorm set in, many Of the small
streams overlooking their banks in
q short time. Bridges were swept
away like straws and the darkness OF
the night soon made the situation
more appalling.
As soon as possible after the terri
BILE food subsidized the work Of relief
was commenced by the citizens OF
the town. Dozens of bodies were
found lodged along the bends OF the
streams and in several places they
were piled over one another. Up to
two O'Clock yesterday afternoon 200
bodies had been recovered almost
within the city limits. The buildings
which were not carried away were
moved from their foundations or
toppled over Hundreds of horses,
cattle, sheep and hogs, that had gone
into the creek bottoms for water,
persisted. Y
News of the calamity did not
reach the outside world until yester-
day morning, all the means OF com
munication having been cut off. As
soon as possible news was sent by
courier to the nearby towns and
neighbors, looking to the relief OF
the stricken people.
The Oregon Railroad G. Navigation
company started o relief train from
The DaIles' shortly after noon with
a party of 100, including three doc
tors, four nurses and supplies OF all
kinds. At 1880 yesterday afternoon
relief train with doctors and sup
plies started for the scene from this
city. The citizens of Portland
started a relief fund as soon as the
news of the disaster spread over the
city and within a few hours $4,000
was raised. Supplies will be rushed
to Heppner as soon as they can be
assembled. ...,, .. ......... ...I
Fifteen buildings in the town OF
Lexington, nine miles below Hepp-
ner. on Willow creek, were washed
away, but with no loss of life, the
inhabitants having time TO save them
selves from the surging torrent. AT
Ione considerable damage was done
10 buildings, though no loss OF life is
reported from there.