Year: 1874




books were lost


The ClOud-Burst at Eureka, New.


THE Eureka (Nev.) Sentinel gives the
following graphic account of the recent
calamity which befeH that town:


About one O'Clock in the afternoon the
rain again began to fall, and this time
with redoubled force. Hard and fast
the rain poured down, mingled with hail.
The black clouds closed down upon us,
the lightning grew nearer and fiercer
and calculations closely made proved a
period of about one and half seconds
between the flash and the following
thunderbolt. (This established an ele-
vation of less than 1900 feet, and our
surrounding mountain-peaks are at least
5000 feet above our level) A few min
utes before two p. m. two horsemen came
galloping down Main, Spring and Buel
streets, warning the startled people of the
approach of the mighty flood Most
thought only of their lives, and saved
themselves regardless of their effects.
Others stood stupefied at the threat of
an approaching, underlined danger. Too
many clung too late to their houses in a
vain endeavor to save their property by
removal to higher ground.


Close upon the heels of the warning
horsemen followed the torrent. And dsuch
torrent! Over the entire ridge extending
from Pinto to Ruby Hill the heavy clouds
had broken. Toward the summit there
was no rain, but deluge down Rail
road, Eureka, New York and Goodwin
Canons flowed the water at an almost in
conceivable rate Of speed, gathering
strength and fierceness in the descent
From the Richmond to the jackson fur
mace, where these canons unite, and
where our valley approat hes quarter
mile in width, the entire ground
was covered by terrible, seething mass
of waters, at least three feet in height,
bearing heavy timbers, the wrecks of
cabins, and even masses of rock, in its
siia cry, laeadlong career upon our devoted
town. AS the valley narrows toward the
center of the town the current increased
in fierceness and power.


The entire town was aroused. Great
and certain destruction of property was
evident, and manfully did most of our
citizens struggle to save what could be
saved. But even up to this moment
none imagined the fearful loss of prop
eriy and of human life which followed.


For over half an hour the water rolled
on. One house after another toppled
and fell, and the angry pillows beat upon
the wreck and dashed it to pieces. Many
houses (some of them dwelling houses
and with families inside) were lifted
bodily up and carried down the mighty
stream. The sight was magnificent in its
terror The Eureka Hall, building
100 by 25 feet, was early carried
away, and added to the horror OF the
scene as it came. crashing down along
Spring street and through to Buel
street, in the rear of the International
Hotel, carrying away with it's massive
weight many buildings already totter-
ing. AS the houses succumbed to the
swelling stream many of them would
rise grandly from their foundations, and
like stately ships turn gracefully head
foremost into the current and sail on an
even keel until wrecked against the first
debris. Here was seen two-story
house, to one of the shutters of which
clung a man with the energy of despair,
as he drifted to almost certain death.
Then, in cabin, rocked and tossed upon
the waves, were seen a man and wife
struggling to escape. Here was seen the
detached roof of house beating from
side to side of the stream, and desper-
ately clutching the ridge, man striving
for dear existence. Close upon this
heart -rending spectacle followed heavy
wagon and team, the massive structure
tossed like a chip, and the poor dumb
beasts screaming in their mortal agony


The loss of property was immense.
The loss of life was great. Up to the
present writing twelve bodies have been
recovered. To estimate the loss of life and
property in time for this issue is simply
impossible The entire staff of the
Sentinel has been during the day and
night in common with all good citizens,
engaged in hard labor, saving life and
goods, and succoring the distressed.


Among the saddest of the sad occur
ences that took place was the drowning
of Mrs Broy. With her husband they
were in their house when the seething
torrent burst in it's fury on them. They
endeavored to escape, but in vain.
The support TO the house soon gave
way, and with the others it fioated
down the stream. Rushing from the
doomed house, they made one frantic
effort to reach place of safety, but the
rushing waters met them on every slde.
Locked in each others arms they were
carried on until the relentless waters
separated them bearing her H1eless form
down the canon. Mr.. Broy was rescued by
some Cinnamon near the Eureka Consol-
idated furnaces. But few short weeks
ago they were married; a happier couple
did not exist to-day she is dead, and he,
crazed with his loss and suffering from
severe injuries, is not expected to survive.
Their welded bliss was brief their hap
piness short-lived before being broken
forever.


a CURIOSITY of the polecat persuasion
was killed recently by farmer living
,.,r EronIysviIIa Wis This monster