Bisbee daily review., 1907-10-30
RAINS DELUGE THE GILA
 COUNTRY
Rio namaoa nnna Railrnad Rv WaShoutS-FIoods Sweep Away Property-FirSt Snow Appears on Mountain.
Graham Guardian.


 Considerable damage was done throughout this valley by the heavy rains of last week. Roads and bridges were damaged in many localities and deep gullies washed in farming and pasture land. The road which had been graded to the river just east Of C.. ss----1 - - | .-a - h--ss1-
 Three washouts occurred along the Gila alley railroad, and trains ceased running Friday. The damage was re- paired Saturday and the train service was re-established that afternoon and evening.
 George D. Brier. who lives a mile east Of Stafford. sustained some loss through the rains. The water flood ed his cellar. destroying sugar, fruit and other provisions. Twenty-six Of his chickens were drowned by the flood and his fire wood was carried away to the neighboring fields.
 By the washing away of a bridge in that locality Friday. the inhabitants were isolated from town for two days.
 The storm was one of the heaviest in the history of the valley. Hail stones the size of a small hens egg fell for some time Friday evening.
 Thatcher and Solomonville suffered more than any of the other towns. A large quantity of water ran into the streets of Solomonville making it very difficult to get from one point to an other. At Thatcher there was so much water that 1t was impossible to get from the depot into town on foot Saturday night. A large stream ran down the street west of the depot. cutting the street south of the Union canal very badly. The water was still running on Sunday.
 From one end of the valley to the other canals were damaged wherever the streams crossed them, in many instances filling them level with sand.
 For the first time in many years Stafford did not suffer from the floods. This was owing to the fact that the new drain ditch protected the tpwn and the farms. The canal was built several months ago and was badly choked with weeds. Had it been clear of this growth no damage to any land would have occurred. but it was demonstrated that the canal will carry off the flood waters when it is kept clear. No water got into the Layton street, thing almost un- known in history.
 In several instances the water backed out onto the land on the east side of the canal and left a large deposit of sand on the land, doing considerable damage. In this connec. tion George D. Brier, whose land was flooded, has employed A. R. Lynch as his attorney to see what redress he can secure and also to take steps for his future protection.
 South of Stafford where the wash. that feeds the drain ditch, makes the bend around the point of the hill, the water, had cut out large bend, carrying away the county road, and unless repaired another flood is liable to cut a deep wash down the county road on the west side of Stafford clear to the river. Should this occur it would result in thousands of dollars of damage. It would not only en- danger the dwellings and business houses along the street but would also destroy the only road leading to the north side of the river and also the one leading to the settlements to the south. Road Inspector Layton dis covered what the water had done and reported the same to the town council as to the individuals living along the street. On Tuesday a force of men started to build a dike in the place where the water had cut away the | county road SC as to throw the water in the channel constructed to receive 1t. They only worked one day, for on Tuesday afternoon Assistant Dis i Jr1cI Attorney Crosby, representing | Arthur Welker anw Mir. Tippets, went to SolomonviIle and procured an in ! juction from District Court Clerk Chambers restraining them from fur | ther work. Should another freshet cut a wash down through the county road before the case can be tried there will probably be litigation fl | the courts for years. It would be well to push the cause to trial as speedily as possible as heavy storm. ! are threatening every day. Worl should also be pushed in placing tho drain ditch in proper condition te carry the water without doing anyon, damage.
 The river rose considerably but dit not remain high long as the heavy storm did not extend far up the river
 The first snow of the season feI on top of Mount Graham on Friday