The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-10-07
COLORADO SUFFERS
FROM GREAT FLOOD
Loss at Trinidad Will Reach
Somewhere Near the Mii-
lion Dollar Mark.
DAMAGE is WIDESPREAD
Wires Are All Down and Business
is ParaIyzed and Entire City Is
FIooded-Reported No Lives
Lost.
DAMAGE is WIDESPREAD

Trinidad, Colo, Oct. "a terrific
flood struck the city of Trinidad and
the whole valley along the Las Animas
river devastating wide section and
causing money loss which at present
Is estimated at $1.000,000. So far as
known there was no loss of life, but
several are reported missing and there
were many narrow escapes.
Every bridge about Trinidad is out;
the Santa Fe station Is demolished; all
the railroads are tied up, and telephone
and Geographic services are complete
ly suspended. More than thirty city
blocks in tie residence and business
portions are from two to four feet un-
der water along the river.
The flood was caused by the heavy
rain which has been falling for two
days. The storm assumed cloudburSt
proportion, and the Las Animas river
went over it's banks. 1t was impossible
at any point, and Commercial street
was flooded for three blocks in the
heart Of the business district.
Meantime the electric and gas plants
had been flooded and the city was in
complete darkness. Hundreds of citi-
zens thronged the streets on the edge
Of the submerged district, carrying Lam
terms and doing their best to provide
those driven from their homes with,
shelter. J
Warning of the food was given when
the river left its banks, by revolver
shots and the ringing of the fire alarm.
followed by the blowing Of all the loco
motive and shop whistles In town. Citi-
zens upon RATS made of sections Of
sidewalks padded through the streets
rescuing families which were in danger.
The New Bacca hotel, two-story
structure just nearing completion at a
cost of $4,000, on the river bank, was.
destroyed. The water then ate Its way
through fifty feet Of ground to the
Santa Fe depot, which was carried
away. The Cardinas hotel. adjoining,
barely escaped a similar fate. an acre
Of ground being washed away near it.
The Rio Grande railroad at Elmoro
is out, and the Santa Fe right of way
in many places has been washed out.
Railroad traffic is entirely suspended,
and business is paralyzed.
1t was reported that the flood was
due to break in the city reservoir,
but this is erroneous. The reservoir Is,
safe.
The city is divided by the Las AMI
mas river, which is spanned by six,
wagon bridges. All of the bridges were
washed out and many residents were,
unable to reach their homes or to com
municate with their families because
the telephone service had been
wrecked,
The electric light plant was flooded
and city water mains were washed out,
which left the city without light or
water
A Pullman sleeper and one chair car
standing in front Of the Santa Fe sta.
ton were lifted bodily UP by the flood
and fioated majestically. right side up,
down the river for two miles.
The Harvey eating house near the
Santa Fe station was damaged to the
extent of $4,000.
The w stern Union and the Postal
telegraph lines were badly crippled.
OF the merchants on lower CONNER
cial street whose losses were great,
the Colorado Supply company is the
heaviest loser, having 100000 worth of
merchandise destroyed.
Trinidad is isolated from the world
today, SO far as railroads are con-
cerned.