100 years ago in Spokane: Surging rivers threaten region

High water, caused by hot temperatures and high country snowmelt, was causing havoc throughout the region.

The Phoenix and McGoldrick sawmills on the Spokane River were both closed, flooded with high water.

Washington Water Power (now Avista) was concerned that the river would overflow onto Wall Street and damage its interurban station and its power plant at Post and Wall.

Several railroad bridges were in jeopardy. Rail cars loaded with heavy coal were parked on the bridges in an attempt to weigh down the structures and make them more stable.

Water entered the basement of Spokane Toilet Supply company on Erie Street. A rise of another foot would put the plant out of commission.

Rail service was suspended east of Spokane. The Coeur d’Alene, St. Joe and St. Maries rivers were all at flood stage.

The Butler Bothwell dike and the Goose Heaven dike, west of St. Maries, collapsed and flooded an area of 1,300 acres.

The Milwaukee Road dike was also in danger and crews were working frantically to protect it. The water elevation in the lake was at 2,136 feet, the highest since 1894.

At Harrison, the Harrison Shingle Mill was closed because of high water, and the yard stock of a lumber company was “in danger of being carried down the Coeur d’Alene River.”

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1972: Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace was shot and left paralyzed by Arthur H. Bremer while campaigning for president in Laurel, Maryland.