New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-05-09
MISCELLANEOUS.
Condition Of the Rivers.

MEMPHIS, May S-The follow ing informa-
ti6n concerning the overflow is Cleaned
from the officers of boats arriving last night
and to-day: The rise in the st. Francis,
which set in few days since, has over
flowed it's banks, and in three places planta-
tions under cultivation have been drowned
out. There is but little destitution in this
valley, and planters are hopeful Of the
water running off and being able to resume
planting. This rise has broken the levee in
several places near the mouth, including
Jefferson and St. Clair's. near Island No. 63,
and threatens several others.
The levees at Helena and Friars Point
are reported in danger.
White river is inside its banks down to
Augusta, and below there the planters are
yet hopeful of being able to make q crop.
In the lower Arkansas river the water Is
off all the plantations except Rawlings',
and the planters are at work.
.Tampering with Jury.
Stephen Delacella, deputy sheriff, is on
trial at the Criminal Court for tampering
with the jury in the case Of the defaulting
tax collector, Bill Mclean.
Destitution in Arkansas.
The relief committee this morning re-
ceived large number of letters and appli-
cations for relief from the overflowed dis
trct, particularly from the lower portion of
and most general.
The following extracts from letters will
give good idea of the suffering and desti-
tuition there. and will appeal to the philan-
thropic throughout the land. A we'll known
planter, writing from Bernard, Chicot
| in this section rations for 1000 persons and
| forage for their stock. All the lands are
under water"
'"The destitution here will be very great,
| nearly every one in the overfOwed district
| having lost their stock and having nothing
! to aid them in purchasing necessary ratiOns.
These parties all require help until they can
raise some corn. Help us all you can. Our
| people are truly suffering, and unless we
| get aid to make at least some corn, this
| portion of the country will be abandoned
| by fully one-half of the laborers."
A petition from $50 cOlOred laborers from
! Arkansas City and that vicinity, is for
warded by j. w. Dickinson, formerly
cotton factor here, which says: 1--WE, tha
undersigned, colored people of Arkansas
City and neighboring plantations, would
respectfully state, that we are in des-
perate condition; only few of us hav-
| ing a few days ratiOns, and they have
been furnished by the owners of plan
| tations, who now have not enough
left for their own families long. The
| water stands as high as four feet above
us have had to move out and herd with
others as best we can. Over all the plan
tations the water stands from three to five
feet; the levees are all broken: the fences
gone, and our stock has been greatly re-
duced by drowning and starvation. Our
friends, the white people, have done all
| they could, and can do no more now. We
can see nothing but starvation and death
to many of US unless good people will aid
| us, and that seOn."
MIR. Dickinson, forwarding the petition,
| says: at does not make their con ditiOn as
bad as it really is. Some of these families
are on my place, and have been feeding
them for four months, three of which they
have been coOped up in their houses on
platforms three feet above their floors. j
can't feed them any longer. but hore some
thing will be done for these poor negroes.
They will suffer soon. Some of them have
not enough lett for their own families long,
and the others are living on hominy alone,
or parched corn"
On the other side Of the river from
where these letters are written there is
considerable destitution, but Governor
Ames and other State officials are taking
steps to relieve them. In Arkansas, owing
to the troubled condition of affairs at the
capital. nothing is being done for them,
and they are entirely dependent, on the
charity of citizens of other States.
The relief committee here is deing good
work. but can relieve but small portion
| of the inundated district.
At Hopefeld, opposite here, which has
been submerged for nearly two months,
there If considerable distress, but it is
being relieved.
Last Day of the Races.
To-day was the fifth day and termination
of the most successful meeting that has
ever taken place over this course. There
was fine attendance. Weather delightful.
First Rdce-Hurdle race, mile and half,
over six hurdles; purse $500; $50 for second
| horse:
Captain Hutchinson won by one length,
Limestone coming second. Rusk and Chris
Doyle third; Chief Engineer, Captain Jack
and Revenge we're not placed. Time-2:59.
Captain Hutchinson and Chris Doyle
were the favorites before the start against
the field.
Second Roce-C Chickasaw stake for three
year olds; two miles, $50 entrance, p. o.,
club adding $500.
| Ballankeel beat King Pin, running neck
\ and neck for one mile and three-anarters.
[coNTINUEO on F0URIK PAoA.i