Semi-weekly herald., 1911-10-09
FLOOD NEWS.

Inc storms OF "a and Jne IiOOu OIL
1909 are insignificant events compared
with the deluge that has visited this
section in the past twenty-four hours.
Shortly before noon yesterday a gen
tie rain commenced falling. Toward
evening it became veritable down
pour which continued all right and
throughout the forenoon. About l
this afternoon the clouds broke away
and the sun shone for few minutes
but soon the sky darkened aud we
were treated to another dowupour.
In September, 1909, the weather
bureau reported rainfall Of 2.75
inches in thirty-six hours. Since IL
o'clock yesterday the fall has been
over three inches.
The Animas has been raising rapid
ly but has not yet quite reached the
high water record of two years ago.
However, families near the old water
plant and on North main are moving
out as they anticipate their places will
be flooded.
At an early hour this morning juno
tion creek was so high that the street
ear transferred passengers at the
bridge. The water continued to raise
and at II this morning the bridge was
swept away. The house owned by
Frank Lake jr., on the north side
the creek is completely surrounded by
water and looks as though it might
be carried off its foundation at any
time. The force of the water has
taken away the north part of the
Frank Lake ST. yard and his residence
is in danger Of being damaged. About
room some furniture was seen float
ing down. The stream is several inch
es higher than any record heretofore
rlade
Conditions in the Animas valley are
serious. Portions of the valley are
under from three to six feet Of wa
ter. All wagon bridges are reported
out. Many families have been obliged
to move to higher ground for safety.
At the I. A. Kerr place the river rails
ed eighteen inches in twenty minutes.
The Hermosa is also on the ram
page. George Raymond phoned this
morning it was the highest ever
known.
Owing to the lines being out we
are unable to give the Pine rivers
condition but last evening it was rain
ing hard in Bayfield,.
Dan Thornton phoned from the Flo
rida at s O'Clock this morning that
the water was higher by number OF
inches than two years ago. The fam
/ lily was then preparing to seek safety
on the mountain side as were num-
ber of their neighbors.
A message from Hesperus stated
the railroad bridge leading to the
coal mine was out and all wagor
bridges on the La Plata had beer
carried away.
At 10:40 the Tacoma foot oridg,
was washed out.
The San Juan is reported to be tn,
highest in years.
The d. & r. G. have force of mer
trying to save the track along Light
ner creek. This stream is also above
all previous high water records.
All out of town telephone wire.
have been out since noon, but it i,
feared conditions are changing for tn,
worse. 1t will be several days before
the full extent of the damage can bt
determined, but the loss to the farm
ers is certain to be very heavy, no
only harvested crops ruined, but much
stock has doubtlessly perished, irriga
ton bitches put out of commission an(
many private bridges destroyed
The town of Mancos is flooded anC
there is grave danger of the lowel
portion being completely destroyed
The railroad are badly crippled b.
the storm. This mornings outgoing
eastern encountered a washout at l.;
Boca and was obliged to turn back
The Southern returned from Hes
perus.
The Silverton branch is out of com
mission and bids fair to remain 81
for several days. A big washout an,
land slide this side of Silverton ar,
known to have occurred. Numerous
rumors are afloat regarding bridge
and track being washed out. Worl
trains were sent out from both end
of the line this forenoon.
The Pennington train is two hour