1903 — June 9, Cloudburst, Chase Creek/San Francisco Riv. Flash Flood, Clifton, AZ–7-13

–12-75  Arizona Republican, Phoenix. “Looked Bad at First” [mine strike]. 6-18-1903, p. 6.[1]

–30-50  Hernandez, John. “Workers Struggle in a Mining town.” CopperArea.com, 3-25-2015.[2]

–13-50  McClintock. Arizona (Vol. 2). 1916, p. 423. (See Narrative Information section below.)

—   ~50  Park. “The 1903 ‘Mexican Affair’ at Clifton.” Journal of AZ History, V18, Sum. 1977.[3]

–17-30  Twelve bodies recovered, five children known drowned, not recovered; 13 speculated.[4]

–12-31  Burlington Hawk-Eye, IA. “Many Persons Die in Arizona.” 6-13-1903, p. 1.

–12-30  Arizona Republican, Phoenix. “Victims of the Flood.” 6-12-1903, p. 1.[5]

—  8-30  Arizona Silver Belt., Globe, Gila Co., AZ. “The Clifton Flood Disaster.” 6-11-1903, p.1.

—     20  Colfax Gazette, WA. “All Over The Union.” 6-12-1903, p. 1.[6]

–15-20  12 bodies. Arizona Republican, Phoenix. “Delayed in Transmission.” 6-12-1903, p. 1.[7]

—  7-13  Blanchard estimate.[8]

—       7  Arizona Republican, Phoenix. “Saved By The Flood.” 6-23-1903, p. 5.

 

Narrative Information

McClintock: “Clifton has been visited intermittently by destructive floods that have torn down the channels of the San Francisco River and of Chase Creek. About the worst was June 9, 1903, during the time of the great mining strike. The principal damage was in the Valley of Chase Creek, which had been thickly settled by the lower class of Mexicans. While only thirteen bodies were recovered, possibly fifty Mexicans died, carried down by the flood, which at first was of mud as thick as molasses, for concentrator retaining dams had burst in the cañons above. The damage done approximated $100,000. To the relief work the local mining companies and banks contributed a fund of $10,000, declining assistance offered by other towns in the Southwest.” (McClintock. Arizona (Vol. 2). 1916, p. 423.)

Park on Mine Strike and Flood: “….During the next few days [after a walk-out the morning of June 3], the fury of man and the elements merged to bring the Clifton strike to a spectacular climax. At the outbreak of the strike Governor Brodie ordered the Arizona Rangers to the scene. On June 9, they watched some 2000…workers conduct a one-hour parade through the streets of Morenci in defiance of the Rangers and a relentless downpour of rain….the rain continued and flooding was impelled by thunderstorms in the adjacent mountains. Suddenly, two torrents of water converged on the junction of Chase Creek and the San Francisco River, forming a crest that ripped through the length of Clifton, destroyed nearly $100,000 in property and took a death toll of nearly fifty persons, according to later estimates[9]….the narrow valley of Chase Creek which was thickly settled by Mexican laborers and their families….”

Hjalmarson, H. W. (USGS): “Clifton is one of the best examples of a community in the southwestern United States that frequently receives major damage by flooding. Many lives have been lost and many homes and businesses destroyed by floods in the San Francisco River and Chase Creek.” [p. 4.]

“The San Francisco River basin above Clifton is mountainous with steep rugged slopes and a high topographic relief. Most of the headwater area of the 2,766-square-mile basin is above 7,500 ft with a maximum altitude of nearly 11,000 ft above sea level… The channel of the San Francisco River at Clifton is about 3,450 ft above sea level. Most of the surrounding terrain in the Clifton area ranges in altitude from 4,000 to more than 7,000 ft…. Occasionally, persistent tropical surges of moist air from the south and southwest produce intense rainfall for a few hours, causing major floods.” [p. 10.]  (Hjalmarson, H. W. (USGS). Flood of October 1983 and History of Flooding Along the San Francisco River, Clifton, Arizona. 1990.)

[No mention, though, is made of 1903 flood. Within history section, discussion skips from 1891 flood to floods in 1905 and 1906.]

 

Newspapers at the Time

June 10, AZ Republican: “Delayed in Transmission. Clifton, Ariz., June 10. — (Special) — A cloudburst occurred on Chase creek yesterday afternoon which did a vast amount of damage to the town of Clifton. It is estimated that between fifteen and twenty people were drowned. So far twelve bodies have been recovered, but many others are known to be dead. The flood came down Chase creek with a breast of eight feet, giving the people no time to make their escape from their homes, and buildings on the north side of the avenue were mostly destroyed and the stores on the south side of the street were flooded with five or six feet of water. The Bessemer Café building, the Manila saloon, and the Susie Chinese store were swept away and two Chinamen were drowned.

“The Metcalf train from Clifton to Metcalf met the flood about three miles above the town. The engineer stopped the train and about sixty passengers made their escape before the worst of the flood struck the train, which was doubled up and rolled into the seething torrent of rushing waters. The track between Clifton and Metcalf for eight miles is probably ruined.

“The flood lasted for only an hour but many bridges were destroyed and the damage will amount to a large sum.

“Morenci was not damaged by the flood but the Morenci and Southwestern railroad trestle which spans the canyon was washed out. The flood came down the Morenci canyon with a breast of twenty feet. Several teams in the canyon were washed away but the drivers managed to escape. Had the flood occurred at night several hundred people would have been drowned. It will be many days before the wreckage can be cleared away and all the bodies recovered.

“The loss to the Arizona Copper company will be quite heavy and will cause the suspension of operations for some weeks to repair the railroad to Metcalf and the company’s plant. The strike situation remains about the same. Conflicts are expected any time and a company of troops will arrive tonight.” (Arizona Republican, Phoenix. “Delayed in Transmission” [Clifton Flood]. 6-12-1903, p. 1.)

June 11, AZ Republican: “Clifton, Ariz., June 11.– (Special) — Even at this date it is impossible to state the exact number of those drowned by the flood of Tuesday. Twelve bodies only have been recovered but the loss generally is placed at about thirty. One man saw twelve people struggling in the water and perhaps all of them were lost. One Mexican woman lost five children. None of the bodies have been recovered. Hundreds of men are busy clearing up the wreckage and it is likely that many bodies will yet be recovered.

“The ‘Frisco river is now carrying a strong current, hence the bodies washed into it will probably never be recovered as they will be carried away or buried beneath the silt and tailings. It will be two or three weeks before the railroad can be opened to Metcalf. However this will give employment to all the idle men in Clifton and Metcalf which will keep the strikers busy. Troops have arrived at Morenci and the strikers though sullen are quiet and it is generally thought that serious trouble will now be averted.

“The list of the dead so far recovered are:

Juan Vega, Mexican, aged 53.

Louis F. Jacques, American, aged 37.

Sun Seven, Chinaman, aged 35.

James Nash, American, aged 35.

Juanita Cuarters, Mexican, aged 70.

Miss Gay Midlin, American, aged 16.

Alvina Rorte, American, aged 13.

“Parties from Solomonville report that two bodies passed there in the Gila river yesterday morning.” (Arizona Republican, Phoenix. “Victims of the Flood.” 6-12-1903, p. 1.)

June 11, AZ Silver Belt: “Special to the Arizona Silver Belt: Clifton, Ariz., June 11. — Clifton, which has been the scene of so much turmoil during the past ten days on account of the strike of mine employes, suffered a misfortune of another kind on Tuesday afternoon [June 9]. About 4 o’clock on that day a cloudburst occurred about three miles above Clifton, and without any warning a great breast of water eight feet deep came down Chase creek with torrential fury, carrying almost every obstruction before it.

“Many people in houses directly in the path of the flood had no time to escape to places of safety, and consequently there was considerable loss of life. Thus far eight bodies have been recovered, three of them white adults and one child, the others being Mexicans and Chinamen….In addition to the bodies recovered, the fatalities are believed to number at least thirty, as that many persons are reported to be missing.

“Chase creek, which is lined on both sides by business houses and dwellings is quite narrow. Many of the buildings are frame and these were dislodged and swept to devastation on the crest of the flood, while the water surged into exposed brick and adobe buildings, dong much damage to interiors and contents.

“The Arizona Copper company’s two-story brick store building, situated below the mouth of Chase creek, was flooded in its lower story, and the damage sustained, principally to the stock of goods and fixtures, is estimated at $50,000. It is difficult, as yet, to compute the damage done to other property, but it will not fall short of $100,000. Strange to say, the plant of the Arizona Copper company suffered no material damage, except that considerable mud and debris was deposited in and about portions of the works. The concentrator caught fire from the slacking of lime at the lime kiln, but the flames were extinguished before serious damage was done.

“The portion of the town through which Chase creek runs and along the San Francisco river presents a scene of desolation, and at points where barriers interposed, piles of wreckage were deposited.

“The greatest amount of debris lodged against the railroad depot, and the mass is so great that it is estimated that it will take a force of fifty men three days to remove it.

“The destruction wrought by the flood is viewed as a greater calamity by the citizens of Clifton, at this time, when everybody is discouraged over the strike and consequent suspension by the mining companies….” (Arizona Silver Belt., Globe, Gila County, AZ. “The Clifton Flood Disaster…Many Lives Reported Lost.” 6-11-1903, p. 1.)

June 12, Burlington Hawk-Eye: “El Paso, Tex., June 12. — Twelve bodies of flood victims have been recovered at Clifton, Arizona, but the death list generally is placed at thirty-one. Many of the bodies never will be recovered, although hundreds of men, including many of the striking miners, are engaged in the search. The rush of waters bore most of the victims from Chase Creek into the San Francisco river. So strong is the current that the bodies will be carried far down the stream or will be covered with wreckage….

“Clifton had its hero on horseback, similar to the man who rode down the valley at Johnstown, Pa., and warned the people. The Clifton hero rode at breakneck speed five minutes ahead of the torrent and shouted to the settlers to flee to higher grounds. His warning saved hundreds of lives.”  (Burlington Hawk-Eye, IA. “Many Persons Die in Arizona.” 6-13-1903, p. 1.)

June 18, AZ Republican: “…Two hundred men will go to work to the Arizona Copper company to clear up Chase Creek canyon where the cloudburst of Tuesday wrecked fourteen miles of the Baby Gauge [unclear] railway….It has been raining for a week and the country is deep in mud. All wagon roads are practically gone. Reports from Clifton are that though a dozen bodies have been found it is believed that fully seventy-five Mexicans, mainly women and children have perished.” (Arizona Republican, Phoenix. “Looked Bad at First” [mine strike]. 6-18-1903, p. 6.)

June 18, AZ Silver Belt: “John A. Church, who returned from Clifton last Saturday, informs us that the Chase creek flood was not so serious as at first reported. The marks left on the rocks at the sides of the channel indicated that the water was not more than four feet deep.

“People had ample warning but were incredulous and would not leave the houses along Chase creek until too late. One man jumped from a window of a house surrounded by water and was making his way through the flood when a stick of wood struck him on the head stunning him, and he was drowned. His body was found at the Arizona Copper company’s works, lying on a mattress with hands folded over the breast, as though he had been laid out for burial.

“People lost their lives by becoming bewildered. A young girl, a waitress in a restaurant, resisted all efforts to rescue her from the building, which was wrecked and she drowned.

“The Arizona Copper company’s store was not damaged, as reported, but only their warehouse, in which was stored heavy merchandise in barrels. This warehouse was partially flooded and tailings and slime deposited. The principal damage suffered by the company was to the Coronado railroad, which was washed out at several places. Until the railroad is repaired, which will take about two weeks, the Arizona and Shannon companies cannot resume smelting.
“The strike was over and everything quiet at Clifton when Mr. Church left there.” (Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, Gila County. “Returned From Clifton.” 6-18-1903, p. 1.)

June 23, AZ Republican: “….Mrs. Pearl Hill and two children have arrived in Mesa from Clifton. The flood, she said, was terrible and did much damage, as every store and business place on Chase creek was either carried away, demolished or stood several feet in water. The flood was not as high as they have had before, but the wash had been filled up by the tailings from the mill and the current was thrown down the road that divided the row of business houses, and came with such force that most of them were carried away. From her door which was well above the line of the flood, Mrs. Hill saw houses, cattle and people washed by, and the roar of the tempest and the cries of animals and screams of people were enough to almost drive one crazy….” (Arizona Republican, Phoenix. “Mesa.” 6-23-1903, p. 6.)

June 23, AZ Republican: “Adjutant General Leavell, who returned on Sunday morning from Morenci, said yesterday that terrible as the flood there was it was perhaps a fortunate thing. But for it he believes, and it is the belief of the people of Clifton and Morenci, that there would have been a collision between the strikers and the authorities. The strikers were though paralyzed for the moment by the catastrophe and before they had recovered from their paralysis the troops had arrived and the danger was over. There were seven lives lost in the flood. Col. Leavell believes there would have been many more lost if a collision had occurred.” (Arizona Republican, Phoenix. “Saved By The Flood.” 6-23-1903, p. 5.)

 

Sources

Arizona Republican (Weekly), Phoenix. “Delayed in Transmission” [Clifton Flood]. 6-12-1903, p. 1. Accessed 2-21-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/us/arizona/phoenix/phoenix-arizona-republican/1903/06-12?tag

 Arizona Republican (Weekly), Phoenix. “Looked Bad at First” [mine strike]. 6-18-1903, p. 6. Accessed 2-21-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/us/arizona/phoenix/phoenix-arizona-republican/1903/06-18/page-14?tag

Arizona Republican (Weekly), Phoenix. “Mesa.” 6-23-1903, p. 6. Accessed 2-21-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/us/arizona/phoenix/phoenix-arizona-republican/1903/06-23/page-6?tag

Arizona Republican (Weekly), Phoenix. “Saved By The Flood.” 6-23-1903, p. 5. Accessed 2-21-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/us/arizona/phoenix/phoenix-arizona-republican/1903/06-23/page-5?tag

 Arizona Republican (Weekly), Phoenix. “Victims of the Flood.” 6-12-1903, p. 1. Accessed 2-21-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/us/arizona/phoenix/phoenix-arizona-republican/1903/06-12?tag

Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, Gila County. “Returned From Clifton.” 6-18-1903, p. 1. Accessed 2-21-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/us/arizona/globe/globe-arizona-silver-belt/1903/06-18?tag

Arizona Silver Belt., Globe, Gila County, AZ. “The Clifton Flood Disaster. A Cloudburst Above the Town Transforms Chase Creek into a Torrent. Many Lives Reported Lost.” 6-11-1903, p. 1. Accessed 2-21-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/us/arizona/globe/globe-arizona-silver-belt/1903/06-11?tag

Burlington Hawk-Eye, IA. “Many Persons Die in Arizona.” 6-13-1903, p. 1. Accessed 2-21-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/us/iowa/burlington/burlington-hawk-eye-2/1903/06-13?tag

Colfax Gazette, WA. “All Over The Union.” 6-12-1903, p. 1. Accessed 2-21-2017 at: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88085460/1903-06-12/ed-1/seq-1.pdf

Hernandez, John. “Workers Struggle in a Mining town.” CopperArea.com, 3-25-2015. Accessed 2-21-2017 at: http://www.copperarea.com/pages/workers-struggle-in-a-mining-town/

Hjalmarson, H. W. (USGS). Flood of October 1983 and History of Flooding Along the San Francisco River, Clifton, Arizona. (Water-Resources Investigations Report 85-4225-B, prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation). Tucson, AZ: U.S. Geological Survey, January 1990. Accessed 2-21-2017 at: https://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/1985/4225b/report.pdf

McClintock, James H. Arizona. Prehistoric, Aboriginal, Pioneer, Modern (Vol. II). Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1916. Digitized by Google. Accessed 2-21-2017 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=73kUAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Park, Joseph F. “The 1903 ‘Mexican Affair’ at Clifton.” Journal of Arizona History, V18, Summer 1977, pp. 119-148. Accessed 2-21-2017 at: http://www.library.arizona.edu/exhibits/bisbee/docs/jahpark.html

 

 

[1] “Reports from Clifton are that though a dozen bodies have been found it is believed that fully seventy-five Mexicans, mainly women and children have perished.”

[2] No citation is given, but the range of 30-50 reflects newspaper reporting at the time which speculated that 30-50 people died beyond the 7-12 bodies (depending on source) recovered.

[3] Park, however, appears to be drawing upon press reports which do indeed speculate on 15-75 fatalities beyond the 12 reported “recovered” bodies. We use quotation marks in that some newspaper reports indicate seven or eight recovered fatalities. Notable here is that in initial reports of the flood which notes 12 fatalities, the names of seven of them are provided. Park also cites “McClintock,” but it is not clear that he is not drawing on speculative reporting.

[4] Arizona Republican, Phoenix. “Victims of the Flood.” 6-12-1903, p. 1.

[5] The names of seven identified fatalities are given.

[6] “Tuesday, June 9….Twenty people were drowned by a cloudburst near Clifton, Arizona. A wall of water eight feet high rushed down Chase creek without giving the inhabitants any warning. Wires are all down to Clifton.”

[7] “It is estimated that between fifteen and twenty people were drowned….So far twelve bodies have been recovered, but many others are known to be dead.”

[8] Reports of bodies recovered, from the sources cited, starts with 12 but later varies on seven, eight, 12 and 13 (McClintock), with wide ranging speculations on persons believed to have perished, mostly Mexicans. It may very well be that more, perhaps many more, than 7-13 persons died, particularly in that these would most likely have been poor Mexican miner families, but there is no documentary record to support these speculative deaths.

[9] In footnote 53 Park writes: “McClintock, Arizona, Vol. 2, p. 424, quotes these figures [actually p. 423]. Early reports set the toll at thirty dead and about $50,000 in damage (Bisbee Daily Review, June 10, 1903. The flood broke through several concentrator retaining dams in the canyons above the town, releasing a tremendous quantity of mud and debris. Consequently only about dozen bodies were recovered.” [Blanchard: the reference to McClintock is to James H. McClintock, and his 3-volume set entitled Arizona: Prehistoric — Aboriginal, Pioneer — Modern, published in Chicago, by S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1916.]