The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-05-27
Old Rivers
Worst Work
Done in '08
Bridges Taken, Hundred Ma.
rooned, Canyon Swept
Clean by Torrent.

That date in Missoula's history, from
which probably more events are reck-
oned than from any other mark, has
now reached its ninth anniversary.
The spring rises OF the Missoula river
each year since 1908 have but served
to remind old.timers of that historic:
June when the river established a high
water mark which has not since been
equaled. The newcomer loiters on the
bridge to watch the murky stream
spread over the island. but the old
timer passes by with contemptuous
grunt. He saw the flood Of 1908.
The YsAr 81 the Flood.
Imagine the river flowing over the
Milwaukee roadbed, submerging the is
land just above the Higgins avenue
bridge. forcing the residents there to
leave for the mainland and creeping
around and over the floor of the power
sub-station at the north end of the
bridge. Nothing remains of the Hig-
gins avenue bridge but the north span.
The Bitter Root railway bridge is inn
passable. likewise the wagon bridge
further down. Guards prevent you
from crossing. even II you have fam
lily on the south side. The two parts
OF the city are effectually severed.
On the east side Of the city almost
similar conditions exist. The Rattle
snake is roaring down its valley in
unprecedented volume. The Vine and
Cedar street bridges are both gone.
No method Of crossing remains except
ho puo NO wi .rn
and most of its underpinning has been
carried away. Water is foaming along
the streets and through houses well
stream.
City Cut of From the World.
All, the wires, both telephone and
telegraph. connecting Missoula with
the outside world are down. Through
train service has been discontinu I'd.
Hundreds Of passengers have been
temporarily added to Missoula's pop
ulation. Among them are the Tacoma
ball team, Butte and Anaconda dele
gates returning home from the knights
of Columbus convention in Spokane,
and Emma Goldman. the anarchist
speaker. The hotels are filled to over
flowing. The grocers are working
overtime filling huge orders from GUS
toners who fear food famine. Nearly
all other lines of business have been
temporarily discontinued. Office build
ings are vacant. the professional men
having joined the crowds watching the
marvel of the river.
Wild Rumors on Street.
The widest rumors fill the streets
Chief among them are reports tina,
the big power dam at Bonner has gone
out. Others declare that it still Is
standing firm. though IL feet of water
is pouring over the spillway. The
power plant is inundated. The sub.
station at Missoula is the only remain.
ing source of electrical energy and fol
q short period even It Is out of commits
sion and the whole city is in the dark
ness which has been the portion .
South Missoula since the bridge wen
out.
Now and then rain soaked and mud
spattered persons come into town, OF
foot or perhaps by handcar from tn
valleys tributary to Missoula. On
tells Of the devastation UP the Bite
Root. Another recounts the wide de
tours he was forced to make in com
ing down Grant creek with all tn
bridges out. Someone from the Rattle
snake valley tells the group he ha
attracted that the waterworks dam /
as firm as a rock in spite Of the fac
that the water has reached the watch
mans house to the east Of the dam.
d.. Fear Big Log Jam.
Wild tales come from up the rive
1,nSl rr& AI>o n,ly n
Bonner is still standing. but the rive
is flowing over 1t and it's approache
For a while the situation there is $
serious that the power dam at til
lumber mill has to be dynamtted
one place. Speculation Is rife as
what will happen If the big log jal
above the Clark dam breaks loose frol
its moorings. The booms and piers al
strengthened and the 4O.00O.000 feet I
logs remain in leash throughout II
flood.
Food is at premium at Garrisc
and travellers marooned there NAL
every effort to reach some other cit
At Drummond and Clinton condition
are better. The refugees are makil
the best of the time. The days a
passed with dances, feasts. sports, In
promptu vaudeville entertainment
Those who make the trip on foot
Missoula tell Of the dangers encou
tered. In places nothing remains Of t
railway track but the rails strung t
gether above the waters. Over the
swaying bridges" the pilgrims a
forced to crawl. One daredevil laug
at the roaring river and walks acre
on the rail- upright.
South Sidsrs Suffer.
In Missoula probably the south 81
residents suffer the most. They are I
only without electric light, but
short periods they are without c
water or telephone connection with
business district. The break In
water main Is quickly repaired and
telephone company in short order g
a single line across the tottering
mains OF the railway bridge, connect
with two telephones in South Misso.
These are kept hot with messages,
4wo-thirds Of the business men '
lived on the south side were caught