Portions of the Northwest Clarion, available at the Oregon Historical Society
FLOOD SPECIAL
NORTHWEST CLARION
Member of the Associated Negro Press
” HOW CAN I HEAR THE THINGS YOU SAY WHEN THE THINGS YOU DO KEEP THUNDERING IN MY EAR?”
Vol. 2; No. 21 Friday, June 11, 1948 Ten Cents
Sunday (Decoration Day), May 30, 1948-Oregon suffered it’s greatest catastrophe-The Vanport flood, in the afternoon.
It was a “God-send” that it didn’t happen at night.
It is a miracle that up to this day, as we go to press that very few persons have been reported dead.
If you could have been on the scene or talked with some of the survivors you would be befuddled and ask “How did they escape.”
Your Clarion editor was in Vanport at the time the sirens were blowing; he had accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Cox and their little grand daughter as we motored over to deliver some Clarions, unaware of the approaching disaster; just as we approached the underpass as we entered Vanport-we were stopped by a colored man who cried out “Stop! Don’t go through and down there! If you do you will take your life in your own hands.”
This was our first warning that anything was wrong or of any impending danger.
We backed the car and went on the high bridge on the highway where we could park and get a panoramic view of the town and the crowd; then we heard the sirens as officers on motorcycles, in cars etc., went from house to house crying out “Flee for your life at once to higher grounds.”
Then we saw men, women and children coming from every direction; some with luggage; others with children in their arms, children carrying their pets, some dogs, others cat, one his pet canary bird in a cage; hundreds were in cars and many of the drivers were excited and panic stricken until they couldn’t even start their cars and had to be pushed.
Your writer saw one lady with her baby in her arms and who had reached ground safely suddenly turn and rush back towards the approaching deluge for reasons better known to herself, evading those who frantically sought to stop her.
Pandemonium was at it’s height.
At this stage Mrs. Cox suggested that we could do more in Portland than in Vanport, so she summoned her husband who was trying to get some snaps for the Clarion and we started for Portland only to get into a traffic jam. We proceeded at a snail’s pace. We hadn’t been gone over five minutes before the radio in the car announced that the dikes had broken and that the town was flooded and was washing away the houses. It requested that residents in Portland rush to Vanport (which was just 4 miles away with transportation and aid those there to get away. We were caught in both lines of traffic the one from Portland and the one leaving Vanport. Behind us there were cars filled with the refugees as far as we could see.
We reached town, hurried to the office and offered our service to the Red Cross and then your writer went out in the streets to interview some of the people who had arrived in town.
The sight he saw was likened to the pictures we see at the movies of refugees in Europe during the war fleeing from their homes from victorious invaders.
All of the principle streets were crowded with people of all races with what ever baggage they had. Many expectant mothers, exhausted, nervous, yet calm were resting and trying to calm and soothe their children.
Men were stoic- although many had lost everything they had yet they were not excited, nor hanky, they adapted themselves to the present environments and started out to seek shelter for their family.
Your editor was able to interview some of the people who had phenomically escaped death and from what they told, you would have said that it was a miracle that saved them.
One of the men told your writer that he had left his home and looked back to see water hit his apartment and toss it into the roaring stream and that the water had turned up trees and as they floated in the water which at that stage was turbulent and rolling about eight feet high- that to him it was an avalanche, and that some high mountain was falling upon him; that was verified by others who sat nearby.
A Mr. Smith, who lived at 2305 N. Cottonwood was interviewed and he told of seeing his wife drown as he struggled vainly trying to save her. She was pinned by floating debris and all his efforts to extract her failed. She was drowned as he looked on. He saved their three children. His wife (Mrs. Lorena Smith) body was found officially announced in the evening Journal-at that time being the fourth death officially reported found since the flood.
The other three deaths were Sally Butcher. 11 months old and her brother, Michael, 2 years; and Mrs. Florence Beadle, 44, who lived at 10,610 N. Force Ave.
There were so many others who had pathetic tales that it would bring tears into your eyes unbiddingly as you listen to their recital and the words of the Bible “There is but one step between Me and death” would subconsciously come into your mind.
All over town during the night men and women milled the streets-hundreds not being settled; others seeking their loved ones and swearing they would not sleep until they received word from them-and the shriek of the sirens continued.
The weird sounds-gruesome echoes, to make the occasion more like a funeral scene.
It was a picture that will ever be stamped indelible into the memory of the minds of all of us who witnessed it.
Yes, it was Oregon’s greatest debacle-may she be spared from a similar fate.
TO THE RESIDENTS OF VANPORT
Read this carefully and keep it in case you need to refer to it.
The flood situation has not changed since the prediction made last Thursday that the highest waster would come next Tuesday, that the dikes were high enough to withstand the crest, and that barring unforeseen developments VANPORT IS SAFE.
However, the housing Authority is taking every possible precaution to protect the personal safety of every Vanport resident in the event of emergency. The plan outlined is as follows:
1. In the event it becomes necessary to evacuate Vanport, the Housing Authority will give the warning at the earliest possible moment, upon advice of the U. S. Army Engineers. Warning will be by siren and air horn blown continuously.
2. Sound trucks will give instructions on what to do. Those instructions briefly are as follows. (A) Don’t get panicky! You have plenty of time. Take such valuables as money papers, jewelery. Wear serviceable clothing and pack essential personal belongings and a change of clothing in a small bag. Do not try to take too much. Turn off lights, stoves, close windows, lock the door. (B) If you have a car observe traffic regulations. Carry as many people as you can. (C) If ;you haven’t a car go toward DENVER AVENUE, or the RAILROAD EMBANKMENT, which ever is closest and Traction buses will operate in the project or on Denver Avenue, depending on conditions, to take persons to places of emergency shelter. Upon arrival shelter, the Red Cross will assume responsibility for registration and for emergency food, shelter, and clothing. The county health department will provide emergency medical care. Cases of sickness, old age or disability where special assistance will be necessary in case of evacuation should be reported now to the Sheriff’s Office. Such cases, if they can conveniently do so, are encouraged to leave Vanport now for the next few days.
Red Light Slowed Vanport Exodus
Vanport City refugees estimated that about 150 cars, buses and trucks were submerged by flood waters in the housing area. Passengers in some of the vehicles are believed to have drowned.
Eyewitnesses said the cars were caught in the sweeping inundation as their drivers tried to get through a traffic jam at the N. Denver avenue exit. Cars wer elined up for several blocks along N. Cottonwood stree, when the last vehicle out – a red jeep – plowed up the exitway through radiator-deep water
WE SAW THE DIKE BREAK
By Freda Love and Finnis Love, 11 and 12 years old
We were playing out in the yard when it happened. There was seven of us at our brothers, Billy Barnes, age 10, Sandra sis sisters age 8, Marie and Richard age three.
We heard a noise dna looked up and saw a cloud of dust. As the dust settled we saw a wave of wter just like the ocean. We ran and told our mothers. then started getting things together. We had every advantage over hte people on Denver Court for we saw it coming an lived right by the tracks.
Columbia Slough, right by our house was as wide as a highway. We ran for the railroad as instructed in the notice in case anything happened. However, we were reassured of our safety.
The crowd was moving int he direction of University Homes. Sick people and all. .
continued from left column
“The rest of them are still there, covered with water,” Bruce Douglas, a refugee, said.
Douglas said the traffic jam was made worse because many of the first motoriest out waited at the xit for the red traffic signal to turn green.
“If they had gone straight through the red light instad of waiting for it to change each time, more cars would have gotten out.” Douglas stated.
He abandoned his own pickup truck at the bottom of the exitway ramp and waded out, carrying two of his three children. His wife and other child accompanied him. He said it had taken him 15 minutes to drive eight blocks through the heavy traffic.
Douglas added sadly that he had made the last payment on the truck only last Friday and had th efinal receipt in his pocket when he saw the truck go out of sight beneath the water.
“I’ll sell it cheap now,” he remarked.
CHRISTIANITY
By CHESLEY E CORBETT
“The Fool hath said within his heart there is no God.” However, had this fool been in Portland and witnessed what has taken place here since May 30, he would change his heart.
Men and women have often prayed for the examplification [sic] of the spirit of “The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.” This was symbolized within the past week in the City of Roses.
From the moment the news spread that the dikes had broken and Vanport was flooded-it seemed that God came in person to Portland and instilled into the hearts of all of its citizens-the attribute of Brotherly Love. He must have whispered into each ear or somewhat mysteriously had them prove what was asked the Master “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The citizens of this great city, regardless of race, color or creed answered it. The proved it by deeds and action each by his and her act-He was his brother’s keeper.
Mr. Drew Pearson, a few days ago, in answer to a request for a motoriam [sic] on race prejudice and segregation in the national capital, at the request of Mr. Von Blaine, for a period of six months should be told that he can take our word that Portland showed that this plan is feasible.
One cannot tell who is due the most praise because all organizations, unions, high school students, churches, corporations, firms, businesses, clubs, and the individuals have worked hand in hand without a murmor [sic] and without discord and confusion in the rescue.
THOSE ANGELS OF MERCY
First we must doff our hats to the Red Cross and to the countless thousands of volunteer workers of various nationalities; upon them fell the bulk of the rescue work, aided nobly by the Salvation Army and Volunteer Workers of America. Words are inadequate to express our gratitude and appreciation for the ardous [sic] task they have performed and are still carrying on.
Just think! 18,500 people homeless, hungry, without clothing, many ill, several injured-suddenly thrown upon the mercy of this city. They had been brought here, fleeing to “the City of Refuge.” They had reached the walls, and likened to Biblical days they were free from their pursuers, but without visible means of support. They were on charity, but not for long.
Every agency of this splendid organization began to function and things began to turn; headquarters were formed in various sections of the city and relief work began. There was one at n. Williams and Tillamook, in the Williams Ave. YWCA which your writer visited regularly-there white and colored toiled side by side. I saw what wonderful work they did.
Mrs. Beatrice Reed assisted by her 3 daughters (the Mott sisters) closed their fur salon for one week and spent their time and energy helping care for the evacuees and assisting Red Cross workers and Y officials get organized.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith of N. Summer St., also aided tremendously. Mrs. Smith supervising kitchen activities.
Here the people were listed and fed three times a day. Volunteer workers registered them. Then they proceeded to secure homes, clothing and medical attention if needed.
They worked day and night without proper sleep or food. The ministers were called in and the churches were used and cots placed in them to shelter those, particularly with children, where rooms were unavailable. Regular church services were disposed with. They didn’t have to make many calls because the people, responded almost instantaneously. In selecting people to go into their homes Portland citizens forgot the color line-white club women willingly had Negro families in their homes and petted and caressed colored babies as fondly as if they were their own. Colored did likewise with whites.;
Clothing, food, money, favors were equal. There was ABSOLUTELY NO PREJUDICE NOR PARTIALITY SHOWN by these organizations, which can be attested as is shown by a reporter coming from the Portland Urban League which is shown in this issue. Letters from the Oregon Fraternal Association and Enterprise Lodge of Masons.
Several on [sic] the Labor Unions, most of the stores and other auxiliaries paid liberal sums to flood victims.
Ship Scalers and Auto Painter Union. 1404, AFL, had 41 paid up members in the flood and they paid $50.00 per member, plus $20 for the wife and $10.00 for each additional child.
The spirit of Christ prevailed. His spirit has been manifested. The people of Portland were reincarnated-may this be the means of bringing about better relations, and better Christianity in the future.
The Northwest Clarion is proud to blazen the news to the world that here in Portland real Christianity and democracy is personified.
