The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1911-10-01


Wharton. also In the path or tho
Hood, had been destroyed, was ex-
pressed tonight, Reports that Co.'S
tello was wiped out and $50 persons
who were there, were prevalent. but
destruction Of all communication into
the town made confirmation impose
sible. 1t was learned that the flood
caused heavy loss OF life and property
In Costello. Costello had about 500
Inhabitants. Wharton, a smaller town,
was also reported to have sustained
heavy damage. t
In Austin the bursting of scores OF
natural gas mains as the buildings
were swept away added fire 10 the
general horror OF the flood ana hum .
dreds OF those Imprisoned in the
wreckage were burned to death The
contents OF the dam. which was filled
to overflowing by the heavy rains Of
two weeks. swept through a natural
gorge In which Austin ana Costello
were situated. While many residents
OF Austin escaped to the hills. the
warning given By the blasts OF the
Bayless mills whistles was too brief
for hundreds OF others.
Like Jehnste~n.
The catastrophe in many respects
paralleled the flood Of Johnstown, Pa.
In 1889, In which more than $500 lives
We're lost. The extent Of the loss OF
life and destruction OF property can
not be known for several days Tha
property loss surely will be several
million dollars. Within an hour of the
first general knowledge of the
calamity. special trains bearing physi-
clans. nurses and food supplies were
on the way to the scene. Hundreds or
automobiles bearing rescuers also
toiled over the mountain roads 10. end
aid. The food supply Of the town was
DESTROYED and immediate aid TO sur.
vivors was urgent Hundreds Of those
who escaped were seriously injured In
the collapse OF their homes and the
panic OF the rush for safety.
Relief.
Temporary hospitals were fitted nm
IN nearby farmhouses and improyised
structures fashioned from the wreck-
age. The Red Cross also made prepa.
rations for immediate aid to survivors.
The Intense heat OF the fire sween.
Ing from the natural gas mains made
II impossible for rescuers 10 visit. tha
scene for many hours. Looters were
among the first on the ground, and
noVerhor Tener dispatched q large
'oree Oh state police to the town To
protect the victims.
House Tossed About. e
Among the victims Of the flood were
MIS- Elliott and daughter. They
were walking on the street when thew
heard the roar OF the approaching
water They ran into the nearest
building. which happened TO be the
house Of friend. They had scarcely
reached the door when the house
crumbled and persons on the hillside
saw II lifted high In the air. Mrs.
EHio.t was seen to reach for her
daughter and with arms clasped, about
each other' they were swept from View.
Costello Swept Away.
Costello. town of 400 people, three
miles away. Is said to have been
swept away. Through all those miles
the valley scarcely loses the aspect Of
a gorge. Never more than 400 feet
wide and enclosed on two sides by high
hills. II allowed the water little on.
portunity to spread GU, and lose its
force
Every effort has been made to conn
municate With Costello, but II will he
hours before the wires are up. A dam
gerous situation developed immediately
after the great wall OF water had
passed, Austin is piped for natural
gas and the great force of tho flood
tore the mains from the streets and
one of them burst.
! Gas Escapes.
, few minutes later the gas rushed
out and in twinkling 1t had taken
: fire. There was no explosion. but tho
: flames leaped To a height OF 20 feet or
; more and were blown to the nearest
house. In 10 minutes dozen other
gas pipes had burst Men who had
rushed forward to attempt rescues
We're overcome and fell while others
were caught In the flames and incin-
Grated. The street became q glowing
: ball and there was no salvation for
those who CHANGED to be near. Prob
2 ably score perished at this point. a4
Austin has little protection 1t oaGo
9 and the town Was = helpless vio11lk tas
f,thc flames Rapidly they SwSpt 1Fp
house 10 house. ..leA1iae setrssth ar
! ! ilaasa 81 - MN