1883 Drowning of Idelia Largent

From Mr J. W. Cochran, the postmaster at Dixie, a small place distant about fourteen miles from this city, we learn the following particulars of a cloud burst which occurred near that place Monday last: It seems that the cloud struck a ridge above Dixie and near the residence of Mr. Wm Brunton, which is situated in a small ravine. The water gushed past this gentleman’s house at a depth of over seven feet, carrying away all the outhouses and loose articles around the place. The house was saved by the fact of its being built a little on the side hill, and being out of the main channel of the temporary flood. While the storm was at its height, Miss Della Largent, aged 18 years, who was living with the family of Mr. Brunton, went out onto the porch, and as she was of a very nervous temperament , it is thought that in some way she either threw herself or fell into the seething boiling flood, and was immediately swept away into the darkness. About this time it was discovered in the commotion that prevailed in the house, that Charley Brunton, a 10-year old son of Wm. Brunton, had also disappeared, and as he has not been heard from up to noon today, it is a foregone conclusion that he has met the same fate as the unfortunate Miss Largent. It was impossible to do anything in that wild tempestuous night, and at daylight Mr. Brunton notified his neighbors, and at the head of a large party started down the ravine to hunt for the bodies of the missing members of his household When the party reached the place of Mr. Jas. Kershaw, about two miles below, and just above the Dixie school house, they found the body of the unfortunate young lady partially covered with brush and drift. The body of the unfortunate boy was found some distance from that of the young lady. Just below Mr. Brunton’s place and in the channel of the torrent, is the residence and stable of Mr. George Lewis. The dwelling was uninjured, but a barn, in which were nine or ten head of horses was swept away, and most of the horses drowned. Our informant states that considerable damage to grain and roads was done, but nothing of a serious nature. Miss Della Largent, the young lady who met such an untimely end, is spoken of as being highly intellectual and prepossessing, and is widely known and respected in that locality. We are led to understand that she was soon to be wedded to a most worthy young farmer residing near the Coppei.-from the undated Spokesman Review “Historic Newspapers and Front Pages, #1 in a series of 52. Reprinted from the Walla Walla Statesman

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