The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1909-07-10
Devastating Floods.


cerned. On Sunday afternoon the
clouds opened up their flood gates
some five miles below the town and
in a short time the road was covered
with dirt, rocks and debris in many
places while for distance of ten
miles below the Forks there were
numerous washouts. Boulders came
down of such size that the engine
with a chain connecting it and the
the rocks was unable to bulge them
. Dynamite was called into requisition
and after much blasting the road as
far as the Forks was put in pass
able condition. Along with the blast
ing the passengers assisted in shovel
ing the dirt off the track so that the
train leaving here at five in the af
ternoon was enabled to back into
Idaho Springs arriving here about
two o'clock in the morning. The
train that leaves here shortly after
four o'clock in the afternoon was so
as to be compelled to remain there
for hours longer. The people here
in general were not aware of the
coming in of the train loaded with
about five hundred people, wet hun
CRY and worn out until morning when
everything possible was done by sew
eral of the enterprising citizens to
ameliorate the conditions. The rain
had been driven into the open tour
lists cars until it stood an inch deep
on the floor and as the train went
around the numerous curves the
water would whirl and swish in all
directions. With severe lightning
flashes and deafening thunder roars,
without any light in the open cars
one can hardly imagine the dire dis
tress that women and children were
called upon to endure. The author
tiles of the Colorado & Southern at
once began making preparations for
transporting the passengers from
Idaho Springs to Golden by teams
and soon all the livery rigs and any
other teams that could be secured
. we're in requisition for this purpose.
Preference was given to ladies' and
children and particularly those who
had purchased tickets just for the
days round trip. A large percent of
the passengers were able to reach
Denver on Monday and Tuesday
Some of the men went as far down
the line as the train could proceed
- t~ diS.
tance of ten miles. The railroad Of
ficials got as many men as possible
to repair the damage and on We'd
nesday afternoon the first transfer
of mail was made but the passenger
service did not begin until yesterday.
The crews of Pat O'Mara and Johnny
Mann's trains that were kept on this
side of the damaged portions OF the
track, worked like beavers to do all
in their power for the convenience OF
the travellers. The conductors. brake
men and crews Of this division are
always on the alert to perform their
duty in the most faithful manner but
when the emergency comes and dan
ger anu ulSdolCi arc PiNo>'h sAA~AA -
most resources are present to assist
and relieve regardless of personal in
convenience or danger. They are as
true as tried steel. Under such try
ing ordeals the travellers as gen.
eral thing took the matter in the
most cheerful manner. The ride to
,S1olden was a hard one on many OF
the ladies' after night of such in
Anse mental and physical strain but
they bore up under it with wonder
a lul patience and endurance. Two
Hears ago about this time similar
Aisaster of this nature occurred dur
Eag which for about ten days we were
Jnarooned from the outside world.
4 While such disasters are unavoidable
so long as cloud bursts come and so
long as the road follows the course
IT does we may expect such but 1t
looks as If there might be some I'M
provements to the road beds where
nv the Objectionable conditions could
be minimized. Coming at this time
when Denver is crowed with visitors
attending the National Educational
Association, it means quite a loss In
revenue from travel as well as
heavy damage loss from physical con-
ditions.
A leasing partnership consisting
of Walter Jones, Royal Il. Graham'
Dick Nankervis and John Osborn,
has recently been formed to work on
a lease in the fourth level OF the