Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1894 — RUIN BY THE FLOODS. [ARTICLE]

RUIN BY THE FLOODS.

GREAT HAVOC WROUGHT IN THE FAR WEST. Torrent of Water Swoop* Everythin* Before It in the Vancouver Region -Thoutads An Homeleee end Property Dote Will Beach Millions. Fraser Valley a See. Terrible destruction hat bee,, wrought by the floods in thee Frazer Valley and throughout the entire Vancouver region. Thousands of families have been rendered homeless, many lives were lost, while the loss of property will reach into the millions. The known, nor will it be for several days.as full extent of the calamity is not yet the waters are still rising, threatening even greater havoc. Two thousand families homeless, and a property loss of $3,000,100 is the estimated result up t 6 the time this is Written. Tho river rose ten inches at Westminster Thursday. and from points farther up come reports that the rive • is nearly two feet higher than has ever before been known. The valley for 100 miles has been inundated. So great has been the destruction that o.uan steamers passing in through the straits of San Juan do Fuca are encountering floating roofs of houses and barns and innumerable carcasses of hogs, sheep and cattle that have passed out through tne Ura-er's mouth with other debris from the valley. Steamers from the rivers and Puget Sound are still being pressed into the work of rescue. Though no lives have been lost there have been many narrow escapes and thrilling experiences. Many families have been driven from their houses. One steamer brought 307 settlers from New Westminster late Thursday night. At many points there is great destitution among the luckless settlers who have fled from their homes. At the Salmon River settlement, where the water is ten feet deep on tho flat, many families are huddled together on the highlands and living on one scanty meal a day. The rescuing steamers have neglected them to care for others who are in greater danger. Every effort is being made to relieve the flood sufferers, but facilities and means are utterly inadequate to meet tho demand. The Canadian Pacific has 1,100 men at work repairing its tracks, but the flood is breaking it faster than they can possibly mend it. Press dispatches given below tell of the destruction by the flood throughout the Northwest, Spokane, Wash.—Further particulars ot the flood which destroyed the town of Conconnlly have been received. In addition to the flood in the creek, a cloud-burst occurred, incteasiug the volume of water itto a raging torrent. Everything was swept before the flood. Trees, houses, and rocks came down upon the town, where they lodged, forming a jam fifteen feet high at places. Nothing is left. When the flood was within half a mile of town every one fled to higner land. Outside aid is necessary. The loss is complete, as theie was no chance to save propo ty. Portland, Ore.—The Upper Columbia continues to rise. Union Pacific allairs are in a deplorable condition.

Colorado Towns Swept Away. Boulder, Colo.—The pipe factory, five houses', the railrtal tracks and all the city and railroad bridges have been washed away by the flood in Boulder Creek. Poverty Flats is submerged. The Sunset branch of the Ouli Road and the Mountain Road are entirely gone. The towns of Crisman and Salina. mining camps in Boulder Canyon, have been wiped out of existence. Each had a population of about 200, all of whom are now homeless. The total loss in and around Boulder is estimated at $510,00:). All tho crops in the St. Vrain Valley, one of the richest grain regions in tne State, have been destroyed by the flood. Fifty bridges between here and the mountains have been i arried away. The towns of Copper Rock and Sugar Loaf are gone, the Prussian and Corning mills are flooded, and six of their outbuildings swept down the canyon. Springdale and Jamestown suffered greatly. Several ether small towns along the canyon have been partly destroyed. Erie, Colo. —Coal Creek is on the rampage, and the main street of this city is two feet under water. A section of track on tho railwav is washed out and the telegraph Wins are down for half a mile. Boulder Creek and St. Vrain s River are each badly swollen. Tho railroad bed is rapidly washing away. Many families have been compelled to leave their home.-. Business houses aro flooded and stock has been drowned and growing crops carried away. Manitou. Colo. Business is practically suspended and hundreds of men . are working to save their property. The stream from Williams Canyon'is rushing over Mineral Water Park, leaving gravel in place of grass. Tons of earth has been torn from the pavilion grounds. Dynamite has been used frequently to demolish gorges. The water is still rising. Palmer Lake, Colo.—The water has undermine! the walls of the large reservoir situated at the mouth of Big Canyon, justabove the village, and it is momenta ily expected to collapse. The reservoir is 100 feet wide, 9,000 feet long, and 20 feet deep. Denver, Colo.- —Plat e River continues to rise, aud the people living on the low ground had to flee for their lives. The railway embankment was washed away in places, ar.d bridges were badly damaged. Pueblo, Colo.—Tho flood in Pueblo is receding, and no further damage has been done. The total property loss, aside from the damage to the railroads, is thought not to exceed SIOO,OOO. Golden, Colo.—The flood in Clear Crook caused damage to tho amount of $20,000 to.Cbor’s brewery and other property in this city. Many people had to leave their houses. Idaho Springs, Colo.-The damage by the flood in this county is estimated at SK)9,(K,O. On the mountain tops, instead of lain, eighteen inches of snow folL