East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-05-31

there has been strong run made up
ON the supply OF gasoline lamps. as
well as those burning oil. Nearly all
of the business houses have been fit
ted out with gas lamps, while coal oil
will furnish the principal source Of
light in the residence district.
County Is Heavy Loser.
umatilla county will be a heavy
loser by reason of the high water.
While 1t is not definitely known Just
how many bridges are washed out, it
is known by the county court that all
the bridges on Mckay creek, except
the Hodgens bridge. and practically all
the bridges on Wild Horse and Big
Dry creeks are washed out, as well as
great damage to the new bridge at
Milton.
1t is impossible to estimate the
amount of damage done, but at the
present price Of lumber the rebuild
ing of the bridges will be extremely
costly. Grades have been washed
away everywhere also, and road and
bridge work will be necessary in every
part of the county in order to make
travel possible.
Members of the county court will
visit the different parts of the coun-
ty as soon as possible to make an es-
innate Of the damage done and to be-
gin repairs on the most important
bridges and roads at once.
Loss on Birch Creek.
According to Charles White, who
lives at the mouth of Birch creek, the
damage along that stream was light
compared with that of Mckay. How
ever, the Brotherton and Rucky fam
lilies were compelled to move from
their homes as the houses became
flooded. The latter lived on the Hen
ry Scales place, which Jared worse
than the others from the flood. The
fields and garden were badly washed
and 400 cords of wood was swept
away. Mr.. White also had several
acres of potatoes ruined, and lost 10
cords of wood.
No Flood Gate.
Since the flood yesterday there has
been much criticism because there
was no flood gate to prevent the wa
ter from backing into the Byers' mill
race. Had there been such a gate in
place 1t would have closed when the
water in the river rose Tuesday night
and the water would have all re-
mained in the river instead of spread
ing over Water Main and Court
streets.
At one time there was a flood gate
at the end of the tail race, but it is
said to have been taken out when
some repairs were made several years
ago.
Bridge Out at Echo.
At Echo yesterday the wagon
bridge below town was partly carried
away, although residents of Echo
worked hard to prevent 1t from going
Also, crew was at work all day en-
gagged in making levee to prevent the
water running into the town. TIL.
water did not get into Echo at all
The Butter creek bridge was washed
away and passed over the Maxwell
| irrigation dam at Hermiston.
The railroad bridges at Echo and
Umatilla have both been declared un-
safe. and no trains are allowed tc
cross. No train has reached Echo to.
day excepting the work engine and a
few construction cars which came ur
| from Umatilla.
County Alfalfa Ruined.
Superintendent Joseph McDill, OF
the county poor farm, is in the city
today and says that a 20-acre field
of alfalfa on the county farm has been
completely destroyed by the high
water. He was ready to cut the first
crop Of alfalfa which was unusually
good this year. 1t is now covered
with mud and debris and utterly ruin
ed. other slight damages were sus-
tanned at the county farm and in that
vicinity.