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Folsom Floods

Folsom Flood of August 27, 1908

The Folsom community flourished with a population of about 800 until the disastrous midnight flood of August 27, 1908, which swept away most of the town's business buildings and various residences. In all, a total of 17 lives were tragically lost.

Oldtimers have stated that empty washtubs standing out in that heavy rain filled to overflowing during the cloudburst along the Dry Cimarron River headwaters at Johnson Mesa, eight to ten miles west of Folsom.

Sarah J. Rooke, telephone operator at Folsom, received a frenzied call from Mrs. Ben F. Owen, eight miles upriver, telling of the cloudburst and the onrushing torrent. The water was held off for some time by trees and debris at the railroad bridge just west of Folsom. When the bridge gave way, it allowed over a five-foot wall of water to sweep through the town.

Mrs. Rooke called as many persons as possible, warning them to leave their homes for higher ground at once. Her pleas were ignored; the Dry CImarron, even during heavy rains, had never really endangered the town. Choosing to remain at her switchboard, she lost her own life. Her body was recovered the following spring about eight miles downriver. A monument and plaque, honoring her heroic deed, was placed in Folsom Cemetery by the Telephone Company.

Folsom never regained its business status after this terrible experience. Today, the Village of Folsom has a population of about 65.

In Memory of the 17 Lives Lost August 2,1908

Sarah J. 'Sally' Rooke	Telephone Switchboard Operator
Thomas W. Wheeler	Husband of Lula; brother of Charles Wheeler
Lula Cox Wheeler	Wife of Thomas; sister of Willie
Willie Cox Wheeler	Wife of Charles; sister of Lula
Infant Son Wheeler	4 day old son of Charles and Willie Wheeler
Mrs. Cox	Mother of Lula, Willie and Theler
Theler Cox	Age 13 years; sister of Lula and Willie Wheeler
Walter Wheeler	Age 8 years; son of Thomas and Lula Wheeler
Vera Wheeler	Daughter of Thomas and Lula Wheeler
Charles Wheeler	Brother of Thomas Wheeler; husband of Willie Cox
Dan B. Wenger	Husband and Father
Mrs. Dan B. Wenger	Wife and Mother
Daisy Wenger	Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dan B. Wenger
Lucy Creighton
Antonio Salas
Demetrio Guerin
Mrs. Demetrio Guerin

La Epoca, August 31, 1908

(The issue of August 29, 1908 was delayed until August 31, 1908 because of flood damage to the press).

The most destructive flood ever witnessed by the people at Folsom struck the town about midnight of August 27. It was caused by a cloudburst west of town on the headwaters of the Dry Cimarron River.

Just after a beautiful rain in the evening, the sun set upon a happy and prosperous little town of 800 inhaitants. The next morning, it arose in a clear sky upon a scene of destruction, death, desolation and horror. After sunset a strong southeast wind began to blow and clouds began forming and collecting among the mountain peaks. Vivid and continuous lightning soon developed and the unbroken background of solid gray cloud underneath a black and rolling mass of upper lining revealed the evolution of a most extraordinary and terrific battle of the elements. The near approach of this most terrific battle of elements and downpour of torrential waters was heralded by the lowing of cattle, the barking and howling of dogs, and the fluttering chirp of birds from their roosts among the willows.

Down came the torrents of water amid the continuous flashing of lightning and crashing of deafening peals of thunder that were echoing back and forth from peak to peak, the continuous roar sending terror to the heart of man, bird and beast. Yet amidst all this there were those who did not dream of the scene which was to awaken them.

Mrs. Owen, who lives 8 miles up the river, telephoned Mrs. S. J. Rooke at the Central Office that the most terrible flood that had ever been known here was advancing upon the town. Mrs. Rooke faithfully warned all that she could warn of the impending danger. Her office was a small building which turned over as the flood struck it, extinguishing the light and carrying this brave and faithful lady to her death. Mrs. Rooke was a member in high standing of the Eastern Star. Her body has not been recovered to date.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Wheeler and their two children, Walter and Vera; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wheeler, with their four days old baby boy; Mrs. Cox, the mother of the Mesdames Wheeler, with her youngest daughter, Theler, aged 13, were swept away. The frame building which they occupied floated like an eggshell. The Wheeler brothers married sisters and the two families were exceedingly affectionate and kind to each other. The mother was visiting here from Sterling, Oklahoma. The bodies of this entire family (a total of nine family members), have been interred side-by-side in our beautiful little cemetery here, except Mrs. Cox and Theler, whose bodies were shipped to Sterling, Oklahoma Sunday evening.

The water soon began to spread over town in high roling waves. The railroad bridge west of town held it in chek for a while then it broke and let loose a mighty volume of water that swept everything along with it. The stream was now nearly half a mile wide and was at least five feet deep in the streets and rushing along with a mad, torrential velocity that picked up houses and floated them off like chips.

John Young's stabe, in which were tied three fine horses, was picked up like chaff, torn to pieces, the horses killed and the debris was piled up in front of Baker's saloon, whih was a stone building and withstood the torrent.

We are sorry that we cannot give more details this week but, lack of time and the condition in which our office was left by the flood, prevents. We will give every detail in Saturday's issue with a full report of loss. Quite a number of strangers have visited our city and assistance offered and rendered, a full acount of which we will publish Saturday.

The Folsom Metropolitan, August 15, 1890

Cloud Burst- In Upper Dry Cimarron Canyon - Floods the City of Folsom With Water -

Trains Delayed in the City Since Friday

Morning (August 15)- The Passengers Well Pleased With Folsom

The people of our city were startled Thursday evening about 5:30 by a rider who informed them that the Dry Cimarron was raising at a remarkable rate and that the water was coming down the canyon several deep. Everybody immediately commenced making preparations to save everything that was in danger of being carried away, and in less than one half hour the Cimarron was out of her banks and spreading over the city. There was not much damage done in the city, only the carrying off of loose articles that were thoughtlessly left out of doors.

While the rain in the city could not have been called anything more than a shower, a short ways above the Hereford Park Ranch, about 6 miles west of the city, it seemed to be a steady downpour for over two hours. Parties in from that neighborhood yesterday say they have never witnessed such a rain before in their life. It had more the appearance of a cloudburst than a rain.

Thursday evenings train had not arrived up to the time of going to press. Yesterday mornings 6:20 train could not get any further north and returned to Texline to wait until the roads are again repaired. The passengers were left at this place until a train can be started north.

The flood had hardly spread itself over town until the water commenced falling, and in less than three hours the water was off the streets. Among the damages done, so far as could be ascertained under the facilities to learn the news along the river on so short a notice, are the following:

We understand a number of railroad bridges between Trinidad and this place, also the one across the Cimarron west of this place, were washed away, besides two or three hundred yards of track at Emery Gap. One report is that nearly three miles of track was washed out near the above place.

The bridge at Fisher Peak was washed out and will have to e replaced with a new one.

About 200 yards of fence was washed away for Dr. T. E. Owen on the Hereford Park Ranch.

William H. Jack has less fence by several rods today than was around his ranch Thursday morning.

Fairchild B. Drew lost a number of panels from his fence at his ranch west of town, also about five tons of new mown hay and most of his garden.

Robinson & LaBelle's cellar, under their store building, was filled and workmen were repairing the damage yesterday. The damages sustained will be about $50.00.

A horse was drowned. The animal was staked near the river, and being unable to reach high land, perished in the flood. The water reached the floor of the land office.

Jackson Tabor's house, on Grand Avenue, had a narrow escape from being carried down the canyon.

We understand that one of our townsmen started for Capulin when the flood was first reported, so as to be on dry land. C. George Myers, who lives a few miles east of the city, experienced the loss of several tons of alfalfa and lots of fence. He estimates the damage to be about $400.00.

The bridge near J. S. Daugherty's ranch, across Trinchera was washed away.

Maxwell G. Records lost some fence, a part of his garden and a number of fruit trees at his ranch in Oak Canyon.

D. C. Young, of Oak Canyon, lost considerable fence and his oat crop is damaged considerably.

William Cronk had to use the pump on his cellar yesterday morning to relieve it of an abundance of water.

The residence of Mr. E. L. Mosely was flooded and most everything was ruined.

Thompson's Restaurant was filled with water and a number of articles soiled.