The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-06-17
Washita on Big Boom; 0verflows
Low Lands; Reaches Highest
Mark in Years; Runs More
Than 6 Feet Over Dam
WHEAT CROP NOT
SERIOUSLY DAMAGED
Harvesters to Start Work Again
Today; 'Southto ~n' Suffers;
House Washed Away;
Families Seek Shelter

Reports from the Chickasha Gas and
Electric company's power house at the
Washita river dam, east of the city,
state that according to the gauge, the
river was higher this morning than II
has been since 1908 and is running six
feet four inches over the dam.
Reports from up the river state that
in places the stream is out over the
bottoms, is flooding the fields and at
various points has blocked the ap-
proaches to the bridges. On the west
side of the river at the dam and some
distance upstream from that point, tns
river has cut through the hollow and
has a fair sized current established
I there.
The rise started about noon yester-
day, within a short time after the ter
rifle rain stopped and during the aft
ernoon rise OF four feet was evidenc.
ed, continuing to rise through the nignr
but this morning at 10 o'clock 1t was
about at n standstlll No serious dam
age as TO the destruction OF stock ~
fields has been reported other than at
some points the fields In the lowlands
along the river are swamped.
"The flood In "Southtown" increas-
ed yesterday afternoon, ultimately be-
coming of serious nature. John VIM
hrrly. a negro. reported this morning
lthat his five room residence had wash
ed away entirely and carried by the
flood into the lake east of the city
Another house OF four rooms was NOV
ed from First TO Shepard street dis
tance OF one block. Many other houses
were carried from their foundations
by the rushing waters.
In the lowest sections of First and
Shepard streets, the water rose on the
sides OF the houses above the base of
the windows, broke out the panes and
flowed through the buildings like a
torrent, in many cases washing away
household goods. Many Of the fami-
lies had no place to sleep last night,
as the water had soaked the entire
interior Of their homes, and forced
them to apply for shelter among their
neighbors living on higher ground. In
section several blocks in area the
water Is reported TO have stood moro
than a foot in the houses last night.
One man who owns several houses in
the negro quarter of the city spent
yesterday afternoon in boat, pad
ding from one location to another
looking after his property.
II was said this morning that when
the flood was at its highest yesterday
afternoon the water at the lowest
point on Shepard street was deer
enough to swim horse. East of the
Rock Island tracks in the negro quar-
ter. the situation was also critical, the
water having risen several feet on tho
sides of the houses and having wrought
much damage to household goods.
The damage at the Chickasha Coun
try club was reported this morning al
less than at first estimated. Part o
one wing of the lakes dam was wash
ed away and quantities of water lost
but repairs are under way and the cos
was given this morning as compare
!, lively light.
The thing that brings the smile
back to the faces of all, however, ar
the statements contained in report
from every section of the county cor
cerning the wheat crop. What wa
believed at first TO be serious damag
in the form of destroyed fields. ha
reverted to slight losses. Reports wer
received this morning from Amber
Pocasset, the verden section and, l
fact. from every direction aroun
Chickasha, to the effect that while tn
wheat was down to certain exter
the fields where the crop cannot b
harvested are exceedingly hard
find
Mr. Cooper. farm demonstrator
the county said, Immediately after Ii
rain / got busy on the telephone an
have been receiving reports ever sine
et..a thot fha losses will he vel