The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-08-31
MORRISON SCENE OF ANOTHER
DISASTER CAUSED sv NOV.
ING WALL OF WATER.
PEOPLE RUN FOR LIVES
TOWN THROWN INTO DARKNESS
AND TOURISTS ARE MAR
RooNED IN THE DEPOT.

half an hour threatened to be a repe-
ttion of the great Morrison flood OF
eleven years ago, when score OF
lives were lost and thousands Of dol
lars worth Of property destroyed,
swept down Bear creek and Mount
Vernon cahons about o'clock Tues
day afternoon, and many families, re-
membering the former disaster. after
gathering up the nearest things OF
value in sight, took to the hills.
Every wagon road bridge between
here and Evergreen, where the cloud
burst occurred, several bridges up
Mount Vernon canon. the two Colo
RADIO & Southern railroad bridges in
Morrison and a large number of wagon
road bridges between here and where
Bear creek empties into the Platte
river near Sheridan Junction. have
been washed away.
Morrison is without a water supply,
the greatest damage to the town being
the destruction of the large reservoir,
mile up the canon, which furnishes
the town with its water. While no
houses in Morrison were washed away,
several buildings were surrounded by
water, which rose to the first floors,
and the Main street of the town looks
as though large trenches had been dug
and the water turned through them.
Warn your people at Morrison that
a food is sweeping down Bear creek
canon, and tell them to get to the
hills" were the words that gave Nor
rison the first news of the impending
danger. They came in telephone
message from Evergreen, from DIR.
Baker, postmaster at that place, to
Grace Christensen, central operator at
lvhn hn Snrinl1E-
ness OF the situation. at once called
nearly every telephone in town and
spread the warning.
The townsfolk once warned, the
message was sent on to farmhouses
farther down the valley toward Den
yer, and many families whose houses
are situated on the very banks Of the
stream took to the highlands.
1t was nearly an hour after the tele
phone message, which was almost the
last communication with Evergreen,
as the lines went out between here
and there a few moments later, be-
fore the flood swept through Morrison.
The great wave overfowed the banks
of the stream and swept down the
main street up to the sidewalks and
nearly to the doors of many residences
and stores throughout the main part OF
the town.
For some time before the food
reached the town the roar Of the huge
volume of water could be heard, dull
at first, but growing more distinct as
it came nearer. until with deafen-
ing roar it broke from the sleeper
walls of the canon just above the city
and, tossing driftwood. trees and de-
bris on its angry front, came rushing
thrpItph tho the hpiDp
fully fifteen feet high.
The two railroad bridges and the
wagon bridges in the town offered lit
tie resistance to the fierce current,
standing only until the driftwood piled
up against them and then, with a
crash which only augmented the deaf
ening roar of the food, they were torn
to pieces and went rushing down the
stream to add fury to the current far
ther on.
The bridge just below Appel & Lew.
is livery barn offered most resistance
to the flood. standing long enough tc
back the waters up on the lower floor
, OF the barn, and employees turned the
horses loose to save them.
Waiting in the depot the time were
, some forty tourists from Denver, who
were quickly marooned. The food
swept up to the platform Of the depot,
being three feet deep on one side and
fully fifteen feet at the rear platform,
making it impossible for those inside
to escape.
All were greatly frightened, but the
station agent, who remained at his
post, warned them that the depot was
stationary unless the waters became
higher. AS precaution several men
uhn watching the dennt secured
long ropes and were ready to rescue
those imprisoned in the depot If need
be.
The home OF F.. D. Baker was near
est the stream and was In greatest
danger of being swept away, the water
surrounding 1t and partially covering
the floor. The family was compelled
to seek higher ground, leaving nearly
everything behind.
When the first news reached Morri-
son, George Morrison here was Sc
lected as a second Paul Revere, and,
mounting one of the fastest horses in
town, started up the canon to warn the
Mt. Vernon ranchmen of the danger,
| as they had no telephones.
When about mile beyond the forks
of Bear and Mt. Vernon creeks, he saw
the wall of water rushing down upon
him, and wheeling his horse made a
race for life back to town, barely beat
ing the food.
The foods duration in Morrison was
about forty minutes. although but little
rain fell here. Because the Colorado
Southern bridge below town was
washe dout. the p. m. train from Den
yer had to stop outside of town and the
passengers walked in.