The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-06-10
A MONTANA VENICE.
STREETS OF FORT BENTON
NAvlGATED BY GASOLINE
LAUNCHES AND 9TH.
Err CRAFT.
Portion Of Missouri River Bridge
Wrecked by Surging Waters
Of the Greatest Flood
on Record.

KNOWN Ia local history as IOOu Lay
Never before has there been such a
high stage OF water 10 the Missouri
river, so far as known, and existing
conditions may never be duplicated
10 future years. Old timers state tina.
the rise in June, 1876. caused on over
how of the river at this point, but &C.
knowledge that the present food Is a
record breaker.
The rise had been in progress the
past two or three days and Friday
night was increasing At the rate OF
about six inches an hour. Front
street became part OF the Missouri
river. and a. the depth of water in
creased during the day the occupants
of houses in low locations abandoned
their homes for higher ground. The
Easements of several residences and
business houses were flooded by the
back waters in the sewers, aud consid.
cradle damage will result from this
cause. The rising waters invaded the
T. G. Power & Bro. warehouse on the
levee before its contents conld be re-
moved, and the city hall vas mum
dated to q depth Of three or four feet.
The city pumping plant was reached
by the food about noon, and Mayor
Stranahan at M secured 9 force OF
men to build bikes around the build
ing, the work being done under his
personal supervision. There was two
feet Of water in the pumping room,
and the machinery was partly sub.
merged, but q further rise in the en-
CINE room was prevented by pumping
out the water with q gasoline engine
plant.
One of the ice breakers that protect
the big bridge could not Withstand the
force of the rushing torrent, and was
carried out Saturday morning. The
other was shifted from its position
and later in the day was covered by
the high water. The rise continued
until it reached the top of q of the
bridge piers, around which there re-
volved a furious eddy. The city parks
WCTc uuOCC SCVCE o. ACOp VI vs. VIC
tops of the picket fences marking the
height of the food.
! Enormous damage must have been
caused along the upper river. Judging
from the wreckage that has passed
this point. 1t included portions OF
wrecked buildings, hay stacks, trees,
e saw logs, broken water wheels and
other debris. A fine buggy, appar-
t emily new, and the larger portion of a
frame house, were among the wreckage
: that went down the turbulent stream.
The G. H. Boyle ranch above town
i Is all under water, Roosevelt island is
: part OF the river, and the William
Rowe place opposite town is flooded
e Mr.. Rowe brought bis family to this
eide Of the river during the afternoon,
fearing the rise may continue. A
freightine outfit that was camped or
the river bank was compelled to move
u back to the hills. As the food will bt
y increased in the lower country by wa
IS ter from tributary streams, It ia feared
serious damage will result.
!" The friends of Peter Benzten, of THU
u city. express the belief that be hal
u been drowned in the Missouri rivel
while engaged in catching driftwoot
~ at Roosevelt island. He was seer a
o that point Friday evening. and sine
that time no trace of him can b.
&c found. He failed to return to hi
n home at night, and it is feared hi
boa. al overturned by the PREACHER
- Gus current. His failure to return II
- town Friday night, and no trace 0
" him being found Saturday, it is con
y cluded that the missing man is a vic
W tim of the food.
a The Missouri river flood condition
-, at this point Saturday afternoon be
came worse as nightfall appro ached
:. the water increasing in volume an
= extending the area OF the submerge
district. The large fat above tow,
was converted into an immense reser
- voir, and the overflow from this sourc
:. swept down Main, Franklin and Wash
~, AuStOU sttCC|Ss ouu euC euOtOuk III are
>, connecting them with the river front
!. All OF these streets carried q sutticien
- depth of water to be navigated by gas
= oline launches, row boats and canoes
and for the first time 10 recorded his
tory these means OF locomotion wer
, in use 10 the public streets OF the town
- The damage to property within tn
city limits Is comparatively small
!. considering the immense volume q
water and the speed OF the current tha
swept over the flooded district. Tn
- Flanagan building, on the corne Q
Baker and Front streets, ar old land
A. mark consisting of adobe bricks an
~ lumber, wac wrecked by the surgin
waters, but apart from this the dam
oOo uas conEpod m n0odo6 hacoronf