The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1907-06-15
GREATEST Of 5TORh5
PROBABLY THE GREATEST RAIN
STORM EVER KNOWN IN
THE BLACK HILLS.
RAPID CITY, WITHOUT OUTSIDE
COMMUNICATION BUT ALL
ESCAPE HEAVY LOSS.
PEOPLE STAND iGAST AT THE
SPECTACLE WHILE VIEW
ING IT'S PROGRESS.

On Wednesday evening last, soon
after the hour of six, a great bank
OF clouds seemed to cover the entire
range of mountains to the west of
Rapid City. strong southerly
breeze was blowing when the storm
first appeared, preventing its first
outbreak from approaching this city.
During the night, however, the rain
fell in torrents and the next morning
Rapid City peope stood about the
streets eXpectantly awaiting the news
from adjacent towns and localities
A large number of ranchmen and
some business men were anxious to
return home, and at this hour on
Friday afternoon no outside commu-
!nication has been established except
ing eastward.
--latest reports OF damage to the
Milwaukee line are encouragirs,, as
very little has been done.
Last evenings east-bound train
arrived at Chadron on time and
a fter leaving that place only proceed
EFT as far as Cody where it met the
W est-bound train, waiting for the
bridge to he installed. The west
bound train will perhaps arrive in
Ra.pid City late this afternoon. or
CIV, ening.
At this writing there is nocommu-
mic alton with the outside cities.
l.he spectacle of the storm as it
rag ed in the hills was one to alarm
tho Sc who have ever experienced the
terr ors of a tornado, and we have no
idea of it's magnitude.
First in the list is the announce
ment of the death by drowning of
little Alfred Swarthout, son of Mr..
and Mrs. Chauncey Swarthout,
which. occurred Wednesday evening
The lit,le fellow and his grand
father. w. c. Squier, were in Rapid
City Wednesday, and left in the af-
ternoon for their home near Pac-
tola Nh. Swarthout was here, and
said goodbye to them when they
started. At a couple of places on
the way they were urged to stay all
night, the clouds looking SO threat
ening, but Mr.. Squier said he must
go on because Mrs. Swarthout was
alone, and she would be SO worried
if they did not get home. When
within a mile of home Mr.. Squier
attempted to cross the river at a
regular crossing, or where bridge
was supposed to be, the writer is
not exactly clear which, when the
buggy was overturned. Mr.. Squier
grabbed for the little boy, but the
rushing waters had carried him
away. The horses were gone, also,
and one can only imagine the awful
ness of the situation in which he
found himself. He gave the alarm
as soon as he could find anyone, and
Charley Mcdonald came to town
after Mr.. Swarthout, who left i'm
mediately for his home.
Search was instituted for the body
of the little fellow, and yesterday
forenoon it was found in John
Thinkers field. Yesterday after
noon man came in on horseback
after DR.. Gilbert to go to see Mrs
Swarthout, who was in serious
q, 1ndition on account of the bereave-
ma ut that had befallen them Dr.
G;lb ,rt accompanied the man back,
taking horse. lantern and other
necess,. lies for hard ride.
Dnr;no the alterIoon the report
came in 81 the drowning of Mrs.
Switzerland and two children in
Stagebarn ca. lyon. This was later
found to be Untrue, but at seven
o'clock Chauncey l.. Wood drove in
from sturgis with the authenticated
statement of the d1 owning OF MIS-,
Endor and her little girl three years
old. and little son OF har. and Mrs.
Shreckenghaust. 1t seer Is that when
the flood came down StalTebarn can
yon Mr.. Shreckenghaust, Vho .ilveS;
near Linscott's mill, did his Dest 10
save his family and that Of the MIS-.
lIndor mentioned. He got his VIE
and a two year old boy of MS.
Endors to place of safety, only
to find that his own little eight
months old baby had perished aloH5
with Mrs. Endor and her little chi!5.
The body of Mrs. Endor has been
found. 1t is also reported that tN.o
persons were drowned on Box Eide.
but it is hoped that it is noe SO.
The Crouch Lines suffered st'r-
ious loss, and it will be some tin :
before the trains will be rlinni:,s
again Mr.. Crouch went out ovas
the line Immediately and the re-
porter did not see him, but it /,
known that many bridges are gone
and several miles of track. The
roadmaster said that the work OF re-
pair would be pushed as rapidly y
possible, but at the best It is 9
sF serious matter. and Rapid City pc
pie regret the damage and loss tc
the company exceedingly, and al
will hope that the stories have beer
exaggerated.
Telephone connection being out O
the question yesterday afternoon
was hard to learn much about thu
damage to the North Western roas