The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-06-11

OeuVeT, AM 0NNitioe1
the dreadful reports on the dam
age at Pueblo, comes the harrow
ing stories of other points along
the wake of the flood waters that
rushed down the Arkansas river, leav-
ing death and destruction in its path.
The little city of Amity was practically
wiped off the map and the residents
we're compelled to seek safety and
shelter in the higher ground south OF
the valley. 1t is feared that four lives
were lost at that point.
The water struck La Junta Sunday
afternoon in a depth of three feet all
over the north side of the city, cutting
off the water supply and lighting sys-
TEN. The river at this point was re-
ported nearly two miles wide. The
Santa Fe railroad shops were at one
time in five feet of water and the en-
tire transportation system Of that line
from Pueblo to Syracuse, Kansas, is
paralyzed. Santa Fe passenger trains
are being detoured north around via
Mcpherson over the Union Pacific, and
coast bound trains via Amarilla, Texas,
across the cutoff line in New Mexico.
At least 200 residences in Las Ami
mas stood in three feet of water for.
several hours at the height of the flood.
At Lamar the river was reported
nearly three miles wide and reached
well into the town, which is situated on
the south side of the river just where
the higher land begins to raise out of
the river bottoms.
Pueblo is already started digging
back to life. Digging out is the only
thing the town thinks about. 1t has
crowded into the background the
search for the dead. Until the waters
recede and many districts are drained.
casualty hunts cannot be prosecuted
with any degree Of success,
The downtown districts are above
the water again and every available
man and tool is engaged in the work of
cleaning4 Caterpillar Tractors are trans
porting dead horses from the flooded
districts. Slips pulled by four-horse
teams are scraping the mud from
streets and bridges which are sagging
under the extra weight. Every avail
able man is working with hands or
pick or shovel. A house-tO-house can
vass is being made for scrub women
The salvage of wrecked mercantile
stores has begun.
Denver, June 6-Friday, June 3, was
dark day in the history of Pueblo,
Colorado's second city. Flood waters
from the Arkansas and Fountain riv-
ers devastated the business and lower
residence sections of the town, sweep
ing away hundreds of houses and caus-
ing great loss OF life. Reports to date
show property loss will run into mil
lions, while constantly dead bodies
are being found, until the death roll
shows upwards of 200. Flood waters
fill a large portion OF the city, and
Saturday and Sunday as they receded
new horrors were revealed. In some
places the water was reported seven
teen feet deep.
Publo's union depot was in the CEN
ter of the flooded area, which reached
from the high cliffs on which the bet
ter residence portion Of the city is lo-
Gated at Seventh street to west Of the
station. Practically all in that lower
section is destroyed. From Friday
night to Sunday the city was without
light or water, street cars stopped,
fires became frequent and with no
chance to fight them, soon consumed
many business and residence blocks.
The flood was augmented by sec
ond cloudburst Saturday which
wrought greater havoc. Sunday, with
the breaking of Beaver dam, eight
miles north of Florence, and a terrific
n1o ohnYrt q =, M tho Ctrfnxpn
city is in most pitiful condition. The
Arkansas river rushed down again and
the receding waters were given fresh
impetus. 1t is impossible to tell the
extent of this dire disaster.
Pueblo is under martial law, the
Colorado National Guard and Colorado
Rangers being in complete control of
the city. Looters have been arrested
by the dozen and several shot. Armies
of rescuers worked day and night to
save persons caught in the flood and
who could not reach safety before the
great nine-foot wall Of water struck
the city.
Denver & Rio Grande train No. 8
and Missouri Pacific train No. IL were
caught in the flood and both turned
turtle, As each carried numbers of
passengers, it is not now known how
many perished.
Railroad and wagon bridges are out
north, south and west of Pueblo, and
it is difficult to get relief to the
stricken city Denver sent a special
train of clothing, food, blankets and
other necessary equipment Saturday
night. Red Cross nurses and helpers
accompanied this train with full sup
ply of emergency material. The Sal