Tonopah bonanza. [volume] (Butler City [i.e. Butler], Nev.) 1901-1909, 1907-03-23
WAS CAUGHT IN
TWO WASHOUTS
W. A. BUCKNAM SAYS HE HAS
HAD ENOUGH TO LAST HIN
FOR A TIME.

". 4 Buchanan was one Of the
passengers who arrived on the be
lated train that pulled into Tonopah
early yesterday morning. and his ex-
perience on the trip should be enough
to satisfy him for this trip At least
Mr.. Bnckuam was a passenger from
Tnckee and Eas caught in 40 wash
outs. Z at Boea and one at Church
hill
T started from Truekee, said he.
taking the train which left san
Francisco Sunday night. We had
only got eight miles when we were
stalled al Boca. and we remained
there for thirty-three hours. While
there. train No. 10 came along and
that was the only train that got any
where near US. No. 10 carried a
diner. and with the Boca Hotel near
By we found plenty TO eat. We were
stuck for our meals for the first
t~wenty-four hours after which the
railroad company stood the expense
The delay al Boca vas caused by
the bursting OF the big tube OF the
Floriston mill This is an immense
l circular affair about nine feet In
diameter, made OF wood strengthened
with steel bands, and is used TO
carry water down to the mill. II
had been showing for several days
and then q heavy rainfall followed,
melting the snow and causing a
freshet There was also a cloudburst
at Independence or Weber Lake. and
before the waste gates could be
opened a great volume Of water swept
over the ice pond breaking away the
concrete.
The dam Of the Floriston mill was
not swept away; on the contrary. the
great food Of the Truckee River
caused by the freshet washed around
the end OF the dam, increasing the
force OF the food and literally lick.
ing away the ground from under tbs
rails. The rails naturally sank. A
large force of men were put to work
building a temporary track in a semi.
circle. While We were stalled {
wrecking train composed Of thirty
three cars reached us from sacra
mento. Shortly after their arrival
slide behind them was reported and
great lengths Of snowsheds had gon'
down Ny impression Is that the ie'
house are safe. as they are TOO higi
up on the banks to be reached By III
food.
After leaving Sparks We fount
the country under water for som,
miles about us. The water here va
pretty high and must have been
great deal higher. We say dead COW
floating by us. bits Of fences. fee,
troughs and above the e which GOV
cred the meadows We could see tn
tops Of hay stacks and the roofs 0
cabins. | do no think that Their
could have been any human live
lost here for there was ample warn
ing given Of the food. The waite
was very near as high as the track
and had been higher before "
reached there.
we reached Churchill to find tn
tracks flooded and the water nearl
to the level of the bridge over tn
Carson River. We could proceed n
farther, so we had to take what bae
gage We could carry and hike aIon
the hillside. There were severa
women in the party and they cam
along with the res; Of MS. After "
had rounded the food we were take
to Wabuska on handcars, Before "
left the train could proceed from Wa
buska as far as Churchill, and tn
waters were receding. 1t will be in
possible to tell whether the track
have been injured until the water
have retired"