The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-07-02

HkITTH a roar that resembled the
w noise made by a cyclone, a
volume of water estimated %
have been twice the size of Jordan
river-the result of cloudburst IN
Dry canyOn-Tushed from the MOUTH
of that defle through the Wasatch
mountains, swept across the extreme
end OF the east bench, found a natural
channel along Logan avenue, and then
spread fan-like in a sOuthWesteTly d1-
Tection across city lots and along in
tersecting streets, inundating that
section of the city
The damage done car not be eSti-
mated until people figure on fioOGed
cellars, partially destroyed fences
ruined lawns, uprOoJefi shrubs and
small trees and missing plank side
walks. IT Is thought, however, that
the damage VIII foot UP into the thou
sands, besides weeks and months OF
patient labor restoring lawns replant-
ing shrubs. fixing fences and straight
ening trees.
It was unqUestionably the worst flood
Of its kind ever experienced in the
history of that portion of the city.
Ihat human lives were not lost, and
domestic animals swept away on the
crest of the flood. is considered little
short Of miraculous. Those WT,O wit
messed the flood are surprised that
small frame houses, in the path Of the
torrent. were not swept from their
foundations.
Big Residence in Danger.
At one time Judge .. w. Powers
thought his house would be taken from
its foundation walls, large as il is. and
tumbled over TIE high terrace upon
which it is built into the street below.
Judge E F. Colborn feared a similar
fate for lis home for a few minutes.
but his residence did not receive the
fun force of the flood
The homes of the two men were saved
from destruction only through the fact
that the water. as il rushed from the
canyon with the speed Of a railway
train and the force of ocean waves. was
detected in its main force to either
side, venting its strength as il rushed
down intersectiug streets and swept
across vacant lots.
As it was. tie lawns surrounding
their homes are covered with six OF
seven inches OF mud, sand and debris.
sidewalks in front of the lots were
torn Up and the streets Uttered with all
kinds OF rubbish.
Cloudburst Starts Well Up Canyon.
Juzr how far uD Dry canyon the flood
started Is not known Chester Col
born. son of Judge ColbOrn. attempted
10 so up the canyon. but found 1t so
eut and scanned by the effects of the
-
eFreWn with limbs of trees, tImberS and
other debris. that he abandoned his
trip He reported to his father upon
his return that the country he passed
over was covered with mud and sand
and debris.
There is no question but that the tor
rent which wrought such havoc was
tho result Of a ClCucbUrst in that mar
row defile. Although there had not
been much rain on the bench immedi-
ately preceding the Onrush Of the
water. il was plainl& seen that the
rainfall up in tie mountains was ex-
ceedingly heavy.
Sees Wall of Water Coming.
As near as could be ascertained last
evening, the first person to see the
water after il rushed from the mouth
OF the canyon was Judge C0lborn. lie
was seated at a window looking out
upon the mountains he was watching
FOR the Fort Douglas car. All of a
sudden he saw a N-shaped column Of
water rush across the block on the
east side OF Alta street, from Logan
avenue and come directly towards MS
house As ne expressed il.
For few minutes il seemed TO ne
I1y house would be swept away I
called 10 the boys ana my brother 10 get
shOvels and follow me / intended 10
throw up ditch TO divert the water
keep it out of my cellar if I could.
might as well have tried to stem the
~ Il came with sucn a roar and
TuSh that We were poWerless TO help
ourselves
According 10 Judge Colborn's version
Of the fioed, the water. after striking
Logon avenue near the mouth of the
canyon. followed that th0rougLfare /
until Il reached q point almost to Alta I
street about > eco fest from mo can
yon. At that point the street was 30
longer able 20 hold the rapidly moving
wafer. and the overflow started in
southwesteTly direction.
Horse Thrown Cver Terrace.
1t was. that portion of the torrent /
which enveioped the Coib0rn house, /
covered the lawns with several inches /
of mud. swept TIE family horse of its /
feet while x wS6 grazing on the lawu ]
and throwing Il over the high terrace /
landed the startled animal on its back
"a the gutter almost half a block