The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-10-01
Loss At FERGUS
TREMENDOUS DISASTER OCCURS
WHEN FIVE OIo POWER
DAMS GIVE WAY.
BUILDINGS CARRIED OFF


Fergus Falls, Minn.-This city has
sustained the disaster Of its history
without warning, almost in the
twinkling Of an eye. The breaking
way Of the city's concrete power dam
caused the trouble. and the wrecking
Of ave dams within the city limits.
together with untold damage to mill
ing and other property. Il the aggre-
gate result. The total amount OF
property loss will be difficult to ascer.
tain.
Residents were awakened at IN
early hour in the morning to find the
Red river . roaring flood. and carry
ing on its current barns and out
buildings from along its banks. Tho
breaking OF the massive concrete dam
had let loose . tremendous volume
OF water and added to Its force with
an accumulation Of miscellaneous
debris.
At 1870 a. m. the two men at work
In the electric light station. which
is built into the dam. noticed that
the wheel was webbing and one Of
them remarked to the other that they
had better get out.
They rushed up the bank and had
just reached q point Of safety when
the huge dam was lifted bodily from
Its foundations and tipped over. to
gether with the powerhouse and al
Of the electrical machinery.
The water came down with roar,
spreading out over the lowlands and
rushing through between hills.
For about "A mile It had an unob-
structed sweep. then the flsod en-
countered the Kirk dam, which h
owned by private persons and leased
to the city to furnish power for the
waterworks system. The dam Is Of
stone and had q head Of fifteen feet.
II Is located Just outside the city. It
soon gave way under pressure and tho
water works system came to . stand.
still.
The debris next lodged against .
pile bridge ON Mount Faith avenue.
the pressure being terrific. and tho
bridge went down.
Three railroad bridges came next
and while they were threatened. they
Ill held and tended somewhat 70
abote the rush OF water.
By this time the flood was pouring
through the city. Fortunately the riv-
er banks are generally of q good
height and comparatively few bulid-
ings were washed away. but Dase-
ments were flooded in some parts OF
the business district and the loss In
goods will amount to thousands OF
dollars.
IN the heart of the city the FLOOD en-
eountered the Wright dam. which Iur-
nished power for the two large flour
mills and an electrical power pant
which supplies power for large mum
Der of factories and other Industries.
The main portion Of this dam mead,
but the water washed away the earth
around the west end. cutting q wide
channel which win require weeks ana
possibly months to repair.
The Fergus Falls mill was Also
partly undermined. The Otter Tal
mill. on the opposite side OF the
stream. was not damaged.
The city's new $4,000 concrere
briuge Is just below this dan and tho
water washed out section VI TT
foundation on the west side.
Two blocks further down stream the
water encountered the Red river mill
dam. This Is narrow dam with the
HE'D river mill on one side and the
pant of the Fergus Manufacturing
company on the other. 1t soon gave
way under the weight Of the water.
bulglng out directly In the center.
A little below came the Fergus
wooden mill. and this gave way. the
water washing a huge channel on Its
south side. This gave the flood .
free passage through the city.
Four miles further down stream
there Is another big concrete dam
known as the Dayton Hollow dam.
the largest on the river. This dam
was also put In last year and Is own
ed by private parties. II furnishes
power to the Wahpeton electric light
plant and also sends wires in other
directions.
At latest reports II was still hold.
Ing. and II It Is not washed out wires
will be run into town without delay
and II possible arrangements will be
made to connect up with the city cleo
trio light system so that the place
viii be only short time without
light. -
There was no special rush Of water