The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-12

EFFECTS OF THE FLOOD.
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Destructive Overfiow at Alsmphis-Lew sr
Life and Property.
From the Memphis Avalanche, July ST.
The vicinity of our city was visited last evening
by one Of the most fearful and destructive rain
storm that ever occurred perhaps in any lati-
tude. Inc rain, which was accompanied by the most
terrific lightning and thunder, commenced descend
ing in perfect torrents about five o'clock in the after
noon and continued without ntermission for period
OF three hours flooding streets and avenues with
water The present height of the river and descend
ing foods contributed to swell the Bayou Gayoso,
which extends throughout almost the entire length
OF our city in the eastern suburbs until it reached
height between four and five feet in excess of any
thing ever known before. At the late hour at which
write it is impossible to give the particulars of
this fearful calamity, but there has doubtless been
loss Of three lives while property to the amount Of
$l00000 has been destroyed. The lives reported to
to be lost were those of two negros and little child
The most material loss of property will accrue to
the Memphis and Ohio Railroad Company the pas
of the Bayou, and is connected with the engine
and machine depot by private bridge leading to
the east side Of the same. The railroad bridge
was damaged to the extent of at least twenty
thousand dollars. Including the railroad bridge,
no less than seven bridges have been destroyed
while the loss of individual property is immense
aggregating doubtless 100000.
Union street bridge was considerably damaged
houses, bridges, and floating tmbers from above
were lodged against it, and the water backed up be-
tween Third and Fourth streets. The Madison
street bridge was damaged by the formation of
raft of tmbers above and a stable between Madison
and Monroe streets washed up and number of
mules drowned Court street bridge was washed
away and lodged against the private bridge of the
pleasure garden Of Mr.. W. G. wilkins. forming
a raft of over half M. WIS garden was en-
tirey flooded, and there was over two feet of water
in his house.
Raleigh street bridge was but slightly damaged,
although the ground between the bridge and the
pleasure garden was entirely submerged. The Mem
phis and Ohio Railroad bridge was washed down. and
1t will be some time before it be repaired. Safar-
ans bridge was also washed away. It was made of
ed Poplar street bridge was washed away together
with Mrs. Grahams grocery, just below. Mrs. G.
narrowly escaped with her children. One of Mr..
+. g.. Buffers children also narrowly escaped
browning.
The waters commenced receding about ten
icock at night when the great destruction of pro-
,erty was somewhat apparent even in the midst of
he darkness which pervaded the fearful scene.
In the meantime the widest excitement prevailed
throughout the city, and we can at this time only
make a bare alusiOn to an event which was as re-
larkable as it was sudden and fearful.
mo Mississ'ppi Oys.f.ow-what VIII be ~
From the Memphis Bulletin
The loss by destruction and damage of the sugar
nd cotton crops in the Mississippi bottom, caused
y the overflow this season, will have to be COM
uted by millions. Taking everything into view
ne deficit in production Of these articles and the
,ss of stock. &c.-it will not fall short of ten mil
ons of dollars. If the work on the levees already
estroyed and the cost of repairing them is taken
nto the account the aggregate loss to the country
sill reach even beyond that sum, huge as it is
he Respondent and the "croakers'' contemplate it
sa calamity, and speak of it as an recoverable
vii.
Blu. there is q brighter side of the picture than
his, sombre as we concede il to be. The Mssis
ippi Valley is not ruined" by a great deal.
Is progress and prosperity is not even seriously
hecked.
In the first place, the wreck and ruin of planta-
ions has been much exaggerated. They are not all
lbmerged ON any part of the river. Even with
,any Of the inundated ones, there is large moiety
q which crops are growing. The falling off in the
reduction will not be near 30 great as many mag
re. Suppose there should be such deficit as to be
,nsibly manifest in the next crop the enhanced
aue of what is grown may, in a great many in
ances, go far toward making up the now apparent
But, apart from this consideration, there is now
yery probability that we shall soon have q perma-
ent recession OF the flood Of waters. If it gets of
thin this month-say by the 10th of July-the
,the ground is there will be nothing needed but
ntnuance of warm suns and deep plo wing to make
glorious corn crop. The destruction OF this growth
hch has taken place IN Indiana, Illinois, Ohio Mis-
nri, and the corn growing region generally, will
nder this crop on the lower Mississippi, II not 80
luable quite as necessary, as full crop of cotton
sugar. The corn crop of the United States Is, j
notely, the stay and support of the world; and 1t
ould seem almost providental that the capabilities
the Mississippi bottom should now, by kind of
Iforeseen enforcement, be brought into requiston.
Nor is the unsubdued lands of the Mississippi
alley, so amazing in their fertility when the sun is
in upon them and civilized man runs his plough
are through them, TO be abandoned as lairs for
lid animals and set tree from subsection to the uses
the world; Wild speculation in them has j! been
ecked, aud IL is well in many aspects, that IL has
en. In this regard, as a timely warning of the
ility of mems short sighted calculations, the
Nv will prove blessing, rather than an evil In
first place. the prices of these lands were getting
o high for the amount of security which had been
divided, for investment in them.
Really reclaimed from danger OF encroachmonts
the Mississippi, their value can scarcely be too
ghy estimated bnt the anticipation In payments
them Of such value before such security was
divided, must sooner or later have ended In ruin or
nkuptcy. The overflow has demonstrated that
illons OF dollars and oceans OF labor have yet to be
tpended before these lands are in a condition TO
rnish the guaranty of safe, solid and perpetually
oftable investment; that they are, in short,
ny desirable for the occupancy OF the
irdy conquerors who looe all the difficult
es In the face and have the intelligence aud
ne energy TO overcome them, but not dead
ire thing" for the monopoly of speculation. IL is
cry well for the whole country that this salutary
.sson has come a. soon as IT has The only damage
has done has been 10 lessen somewhat the magi-
alive and prospective fortunes Of large holders OF
lid lands; while IL has been positive benefit TO
sery other class in arrestng the flow of the capital
nd credit of wide sections Of the country In that
ERECTION. These lands will find purchasers at fair.
not fancy prices, by actual occupants, who will
with their eyes open TO swell the number Of those
rho are already located there, with powerful inte
ests and resolute will to improve upon the sugges-
ions which nature has laid before them In this
memorable season Of 1858.
That the Mississippi bottom can be reclaimed, ard
very mile of 1t subjected 10 the OF man,
We entertain no doubt. IL will cost immensely Ia
money and labor; but when so reclaimed, u will re-
urn thousand fold the investment. IL will be the
garden spot Of the globe richer and more valuable
than the gold and silver regions Of the earth.
On the xhnle. therefore. there il rood well