A Rise of Gigantic Proportions Causes Financial
Loss from Roswell to Pecos.
McMILLAN DAM AND RESERVOIR STAND THE
TEST
The Lower Valley Comes Through Smiling and
with Comparatively Small Loss.
THE GREAT CONCRETE FLUME FIRM AS GRANITE
Lake Avalon Dam Damaged---County and Railroad
Bridges, Power House and Cotton Gin swept Away
by the Surge of Mighty Waters.
MORE PERMANENT STRUCTURES WILL RISE IN THEIR PLACE
The inhabitants of the Lower valley had some intimation of what was coming by reports from Roswell, but before the full extent of the flood could be learned, communication was stopped, by reason of the prostration of telegraph and telephone wires, and the carrying out of railroad bridges and track to the north, thus putting a stop to all connection with the country through which the flood was passing. But with great promptness Manager Tracy and his assistants made every preparation possible to handle the great waters they had every reason to suppose would be upon them. But even then they did not contemplate the magnitude of the flood with which later event proved they would have to cope. But they met the issue, and did it in such a manner that only praise of their efforts can be spoken. Men, money and energy did all human agencies could do to stem the tide, and that they were more successful than one who saw the mighty flood can now comprehend is due to the magnificence of the structures which dam the Pecos from McMillan to Carlsbad, and the efforts of every individual of the lower valley. Although considerably alarmed for the safety of their families and friends, when the male population had taken every precaution to insure that, they turned their attention to saving the great wealth along the river; and they did it, too--turned the maximum into the minimum.
The two great agencies which did the most battling with the flood were the McMillan dam, and the great concrete flume, just above town. The capacities of both were taxed to the utmost, and it seemed almost impossible to hold the waters in check, but they did it, and proved that they are two of the greatest structures of the kind in the world.
The mad waters, held in check by the McMillan dam, pushed their way through the dam at Avalon, and met another mighty restraining power when they went up against the concrete power dam just east of town, which also proved its substantial building. The great current washed around both ends, but the main structure, stands intact today.
A recapitulation of the losses in the lower valley will be found in another column, and the story in detail follows:
Beginning with a private telephone message which was received in this city late Saturday evening, announcing that a big rise was coming down the Pecos river, which would take out the dams owned by the Pecos Irrigation Company and flood the city, excitement run riot, and not until daylight Monday morning was the climax reached and a feeling of safety restored to the citizens of this place.
All day Saturday, reports from Roswell stating that the streets were from 4 to 6 feet under water, that the cellars were full and the water had risen to a height of one to two feet in the stores and residences, resulting in a loss of thousands of dollars, laid a substantial foundation for the report that the flood waters from that part of the valley would, of necessity, follow the channel of the Pecos river and would reach Carlsbad some time that night or Sunday.
Definite reports, stating the true condition of affairs, the volume of water, its velocity, etc., were almost unobtainable, owing to the fact that the reports from above were meager and indefinite. Having no reliable information from the head waters, it was impossible for the officers of the Irrigation company, who where stationed at the various dams, to give any positive information as to what the results would be or what amount of water could be expected. Their only alternative was to watch developments and await results.
Messrs. F. G. Tracy, H. F. Christian and V. L. Sullivan, aided by their ditch-men and many volunteer helpers, kept a vigilance over the various dams for a period of sixty hours with out rest.
Sunday morning the water had risen to a height of 23 feet in the McMillan dam and 18 feed in Lake Avalon, or the Six Mile dam. Such a volume of water, reaching for miles back into the river channel proper and also into the canyons formed by the hills, created an inestimable pressure on the dams and flood gates, the restraining power of which was put to the limit. It is the first time, since their construction, that their capacity and strength has been put to such a severe test and some little apprehension was entertained as to the result.
About four o'clock Sunday morning, F. G. Tracy, president of the Irrigation company, who had spent the night at the Six Mile dam, noting a constant rise at the rate of about 14 inches per hour, and appreciating the danger to the citizens here should the dam break and a wave of water 20 feet high sweep down the valley, sent a telephone message to central, requesting it to notify the residents, and have them prepare for an emergency. As a consequence the city put on a lively air at that early hour. Lights began to gleam from every window and the rattle of wagons and buggies could be heard from every quarter. People packed clothing, provisions and bedding and sought refuge on the higher ground, The Greene Heights, west of the town, was the most popular resort.
By daybreak the hills surrounding the town were converted into small tend colonies. Men, women and children wrought to a high nervous strain by the excitement of the hour, enhanced by the worry of leaving comfortable, well furnished homes, were busy discussing the sole absorbing topic, but in a cheerful and humorous vein. The best of feeling prevailed. The more conservative and less excitable people remained on the streets and gathered on the banks of the river watching its rapid rise and drift wood and sights in general.
The alarm in the morning proved to be premature and not until about two o'clock did the water reach the danger point.
COTTON GIN GOES OUT.
The new power dam, owned by Mrs. Mary E. Tansill, which was constructed last spring, proved equal to the occasion. The Ramsey Company, who had just moved their cotton gin to the west wing of the dam, took the precaution to remove the greater part of their machinery, and with ropes and heavy cables reinforced the building. Gradually, the water cut its way around the end of the wing and carried away the approach, taking the building with it. The building contained the packer and press, which on account of their weight and fastenings had not been removed.
Mr. Ramsey estimated his total loss at about $800.
RAILWAY BRIDGE WRECKED.
Simultaneously with the destruction of the cotton gin, about four bents of the railway bridge, north of town, west out, leaving only the ties suspended, supported by the rails. About 11 o'clock what remained of the bridge, was also washed away.
COUNTY BRIDGE GOES OUT.
Tossed like a straw in the wind, the above structures were carried a short distance down the stream where they lodged against the piles of the county road bridge, leading to Hagerman Heights, carrying out a section about twenty feet in length, adjacent to the west approach. The remainder of the bridge stood intact until about nine o'clock when drift wood and timbers from the rail road bridge lodged against the bents at the east end, and with a deafening crash, that portion yielded to the strain and went down, leaving the middle section, which stood until a little past midnight. The bridge was about 600 feet in length and was owned by the county. It will be replaced as soon as material can be obtained and the work accomplished.
LA HUERTA BRIDGE GONE.
The La Huerta wagon bridge was carried from its foundation about ten o'clock Sunday evening. The piling became undermined and with the constant pressure against the light frame structure it soon succumbed and was carried down to join the wreckage of the other bridges and buildings.
POWER HOUSE SUCCUMBS.
The electric light power house, also owned by Mrs. Mary E. Tansill, which was located on the east wing of the dam, succumbed to the inevitable about three o'clock, Monday morning. Saturday, when the first enthreating reports were received, messrs. Cameron and Finley, assisted by a force of laborers, removed the dynamos and appurtenances to the plant to the higher ground a short distance east of the building. The frame for the large dynamo, the flywheel and shafting constituted the only loss to the Utilities company. Mr. Finley stated to a representative of THE ARGUS, Monday morning, that the loss will not exceed $200, provided the above named pieces of machinery were not broken or destroyed, and can be put in place as soon as a new building can be erected. If it is necessary to replace these articles with new machinery, the loss will probably amount to $2,000. The building and turbine wheel were the property of the lessor, Mrs. Mary E. Tansill, whose loss in these along is estimated at $1,000.
LAKE AVALON DAM GIVES AWAY.
Shortly after midnight, Sunday, the town was aroused by the ringing of the fire bell and the whistle of the locomotive. a new and startling report had just been received that both of the dams had gone out and that a wave of water from ten to twenty feet in height would soon sweep over the entire city. This caused another exodus to the hills. Every available conveyance was pressed into service and the women and children were removed to places of safety, while the more adventuresome ones remained behind to await results.
Backwater from the Hackberry draw filled in the low lands lying between the railroad tracks and the river. Greene street, which is lower than any of the other cross streets, was filled with this back water, as far west as Canyon street, and there it was backed up half the length of the block. The back water caused the settling of the foundation of the Woodman building to such an extend that the building now stands on a tottering and unsafe condition. The Ullery Furniture company, which occupied the ground floor of the building, have been forced to remove their entire stock of goods.
RAILWAY TRAFFIC INTERRUPTED
The Pecos Valley railway company had
been unable to run its trains farther than Dayton, a station about twenty-eight
miles north of here, on account of a small bridge having been washed out
near that place last Friday morning. The train backed up to this city and
had made three trips from this place to Pecos. It is now held here on account
of the bridge being out north of town and also about two miles of track
having been undermined and made unsafe, near Red Bluff, about thirty-five
miles south. A small culvert, a few hundred yards south of the depot, was
also weakened by the back water from the river Monday morning while the
water was at its highest.
About three o'clock Monday morning the water began to recede and by eight o'clock was again within its banks. Numerous reports were received from time to time but were unconfirmed by those who were in a position to know the exact conditions.
All day long the banks of the stream and the sites of the bridges and at the power dam, were lined with people in carriages, on horseback and on foot watching the surging torrents.
On account of the absence of timber along the streams, they contained little or no drift wood which minimized the damage resulting. An occasional piece of lumber from some bridgework would be seen and one or two large cottonwood trees were carried down. It was one of these trees which took out the remaining center section of the Hagerman Heights bridge.
The most remarkable feature in connection with the whole affair was that not a fatality is reported from any section of the country swept by the flood. No reports of the loss of stock have been received, and considering the immense volume of water which has been carried down the valley taking with it in its mad rush, dams, bridges, houses and in fact everything in it course, the loss of property and the damage resulting, has been exceedingly small.
The most conservative estimates place the total loss at from $35,000 to $50,000.