The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1904-07-16
FLED FOR THEIR lives
MITCHELL PEOPLE ESCAPE A
s CLOUD-BURST BY TAX
ING TO THE HILLS.
Two Aged Persons Caught by a
Huge Wave and Drowned
Wave Crest Is 80 Feet High
Town Is Swept Away
Other News.

Town Is Swept Away
Other News.
Mitchell, Or, July PA wave
of water from 25 to 80 feet high
swept down Bridge and Mill Greek
canyons, which converge just above
town, and destroyed a great por-
ton of this place about 6 o'clock
last night. Warned by storm of
unusual violence, accompanied by
a brilliant electrical display, all es-
capped, go far as known, but Martin
Smith and Mrs. Bsthune- They
were caught by the flood and
drowned.
The main portion of Mitchell lies
in narrow canyon. A storm Of
unusual severity had ragged in the
hills during the afternoon, and the
inhabitants, mindful Of the disas.
ter to Heppner of year ago, be-
took themselves to high ground a.
long the side of the canyon. About
6 o'clock the roar of the flood could
be heard, growing louder with the
great waves nearer approach.
The crash as the great mass of
water struck the first buildings was
deafening, drowning the shrieks of
terror of women and children as
| they strove to climb still higher out
of harms way. Far down ahead of
the yellow mass rode a messenger
on horseback warning those still
further down stream Of impending
death.
The buildings in the path of the
food we're swept away like so much
brush. Of over score scarcely a
vestige remains, save where shat
tered boards and timbers are caugkt
on trees and brush, far below the
town site. The business portion
of Mitchell was not greatly damag-
ed, being built on ground above
the reach of the main force of the
torrent. On the North Side all the
buildings, some % in all, were car
ried away.
Looney's store was the first bust.
ness business to succumb. Two liv-
cry barns, directly in the path OF
destruction, were carried away.
About 40 head of stock had not
been removed and were drowned.
Everything else on the way down
stream in the way was washed a.
way. 3
i Stories of thu death of Martin
Smith and Mrs. Bethune vary. Boil
were aged people, close to the cen
tury mark. One account that
seems most authentic says chat tht
man and woman had lived in tht
canyon through many such scare
as preceded the present waveof wa
!: ter down the. narrow confines of tn,
rift in the mountains. To run q
way from an Imaginary danger wa
to them the height Of foolishness
Had not the water risen and fallel
many time in the canyon, and NJ
damage been done to life and prop
erty? Why should they exer
their aged muscles at the cry Q
wolf?
But the whelming waters came
and somewhere far down the can
lyon are the bodies of the hoary dis
believers.
The loss will foot up severa
thousand dollars. The excitemen
is too great to get anything lik
reasonable figures.
Mitchell lies 80 miles Of Fossel, |
Wheeler county. 1t it the count
seat and principal part Of bushes
between Shaniko and Canyon City
For a half-mile the town, of abor
200 Inhabitants, was strung alon
the fork of the John Day. Thel
is very steep rise of so feet Q
either side of level space borde
ling the creek of perhaps 100 fee
The Oakes Mercantile Company
store is built on stone foundatio
, on slight rise in the gulch.
! mill that escaped is very substal
|. italy constructed. The high hill
Z in every direction from Mitchell al
u ranged by sheep and cattle.