houses, wharves, stores and houses from all along the river went floating to the sea in a mass. The Columbia River at Cathlamet was covered for days with lumber, flour, furniture and property of every description, and the tides there made salvage easy.
Every Indian and every canoe along the river was busy. Flour was the principal thing saved. This wets in only about half an inch, and remains just as good as ever inside.
In front of the Quillis lodge was ranged a great pile of sacked flour, food enough for years. Lumber was brought ashore in any quantity that was wanted. The Indians even tied up a whole wharf and warehouse in one of the sloughs below the town.
They saved furniture and clothing and crockery, everything that an Indian could ask
