The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-04-02
fsNNUAL BREAKUP IN
MIDST OF STORM

the seasons most terrible storm OF
wind cold and snow came the break
Ing up of the ice in the turbulent
Yellowstone river. The big stream
Is now blocked, opposite the city, by a
gorge which formed near the mouth of
Glendive creek and at the time the
Review went to press the surface of
the water was covered for nearly a
mile in width, by huge masses of ice.
| The breakup started on Sunday at
| Miles City, when the ice in the Pow
der Tongue and Big Horn rivers went
o3e4 Several gorges formed this side
OIL, he Custer county metropolis, and
1t was greatly feared that the head of
water would be such as to inundate
the tracks of the Northern Pacific;
however, this condition has sa far not
prevailed, and it is believed that,
within few days, the stream will be
entirely free from it's icy fetters.
At this city the water is flowing
over the grade on the north end OF
the big bridge, which spans the Vel.
lowstone, and the outlying trade zone
except as to travel over the Giendive-
Sidney branch of the Northern Paci-
fic. Some damage has been caused.
but the extent of it cannot at pres
ent, be told. A number of poles of the
Pioneer Telephone company were
wept away by the ice pack, cutting
off communication between this city,
lindsay, Circle and other small towns
served by it.
When news that the ice had started
to move reached GIendive, the city Of
ficials sent warning to people living
across the rive, whose homes were in
danger of inundation. Among those
however who did not receive the in
formation wer Manager Houston, of
the Occident Elevator company, and
William Butler, both of whom reside
with their families north of the Glen
dive Sidney line, near the Occident
elevator
Mr.. Houston happened to be in Glen
dive Monday afternoon and heard the
report about the river. He hurried
+ ck home for his family and drove
rapidly back to Glendfve. He reach
ed the river bridge just before the
water broke over the grade.
Mr. and Mrs. William Butler and |
heir two children knew nothing about
he impending food until the water
lad surrounded their house, and they |
we're unable to make their escape. /
rhe water rose to a height of four
eet in the house and the family went |
o the attic. where they remained
rom o'clock Monday evening until
bout o'clock Tuesday morning. At
hat time two men, who were making
n effort to get across to the Glen
ive;Sidney line, found that the Butler
amily were still in the house. Trees
5ere cut down and laid across the ice
nd water, and Mr.. and Mrs. Butler
nd children were taken out of the
ouse through the attic window. The
hildren were well wrapped up and
Uttered little or no Inconvenience.
If. and Mrs. Butler, however, were
adly chilled, and it is believed they
1euld have both succumbed to the
xposure hal they remained in the
ttic throughout another night. The
'ater rose to a height of seven feet
i their barn, drowning four cows, two
earrings and two head Of work
orse.
The annual breakup came compar-
lively early this year, and although
lie lowlands are flooded, the height
the water and ice is not SO great
) was the case four years ago.
eyiew.