Year: 1879

AN EYEWITNESS RELATEs THRILLING ExPE-


RIENcE--SEws FROM THE SOUTH FORK.


IFrom the Denver Tribane.]


Through the prompt assistance OF the
managers Of South-Park road the damage
done to the track in the Platte Canyon and
near Buffalo by the water-spOut are speedily
being repaired, and the customary travel
on the road will be resumed very soon.
The telegraph-wires are still down, but
statement of the true condition OF aniirs nas


been obtained through the medium OF the
passengers, who were delayed in conse-
ouence of the storm. In conversation yes
terday afternoon with gentleman who was
stopping for few days at the boarding


house near the saw.mill, at Thompson's,
the informant said: We had terrible
hail-storm shortly after O'Clock, and stones
as big as hens eggs fell thick and fast.
W bile we were standing at a safe distance
from the windows-for nearly every pane
Of glass was broken-we saw most re-
markable phenomenon, accompanied BY q
dull, heavy, roaring sound like distant
thunder. A large volume OF what we after
wards found to be water was seen at the top
OF the mountain, coming closer and closer,
like an immense funnel. As it approached
the noise became almost deafening, and one
old gentleman who was standing in the
door--for we had all assembled in and
aroundi the doorway-exelaimed: "Its a
waters spout!" Out Of the house and up
the opposite bill we ran as fast as possible
TO almost the summit. One OF the parties,
who was furthest down, in terror turned
around and beheld the water rushing and
tearing down the opposite side, carrying
with it huge boulders, uprooted trees, and
all sorts OF ik6riS. 1t struck the house and
the saw-mill simultaneously and carried
them away like straws, not q vestigc OF
either remaining. We stood there in terror
for long time, hardly daring to speak a
word; but finally, becoming more used to
the scene, we began to look around
US and take in the situation. When the
height CT the excitement had abatcd some
little, an anxious mother missed her infant
child, and instant search was made for the
lost little one. After an hour was spent in
the water and mud one Of the gentlemen
the stream still coming down the mountain
side, lying close up by rock, which also
supported large bureau, under which the
little one sat in the apartment intended for
q lower drawer. The child was not bit
frightened, but seemed to be rather
pleased with its situation, and, strange
enough, had hardly scratch upon
it. The Joy Of the distressed parent
can easily be conceived when the wet
youngster was placed safe and sound in her
arms. The water continued to rush down
the gulch for several hours, and we had to
prepare places to sleep on the side OF The
mountain. Early the next morning join
ed q number Of men who desired to reach
Denver as soon as possible, and started to
walk to the train, about seven miles distant.
When we reached there we found it was a
wrecking train with coach attached, and
after being delayed several hours for the
wreckers TO prepare the track we started on
our way home. ,t


In the canyon the track was also gutted
out in spots, and a good bit OF it at other
places had the bedding washed out and the
rails twisted. Temporary bridges are be-
ing constructed to facilitate the running OF
the trains. An engine was run into ditch
a short distance this side OF Thompson's in
consequence of the weakened condition of
the road-bed. Three flat-cars were also car
ried away some forty feet, with three men
on them, who, wonderful to relate, were
not al all injured they only received a
thorough drenching and big scare.


One of the most disastrous difficulties
arising from this unexpected accident is the
great delay OF the mails. There has not yet
been single mail sent out to Leadvflle since
| the storm, and as consequence there has
been great accumulation OF matter, which
| will doubtless be source of much trouble
| to the carbonate camp, rs well rs to the
many towns along the line Of the road. Such
an accident is likely to occur ut most any
time, and provision should be made that in
such an event in future there need be no de-
| lay in the mails. ii. .~.a s. ..- ....