The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-09
THE FLOODS.
Great Suffering in Arkansas from
the Overflow.
APPEAL TO THE PHILANTHROPIo.
The Unsettled Condition Of the State
Preventing Relief.

MEMPHIS, Tenn, May g. lsTA
The Re,ref Committee this morning received a
large number OF letters and applications for relief
rom the overnowed districts, particularly from
the lower portion OF Arkansas, where the destitu-
non is greater and more general than elsewhere
Tue following extracts from letters will afford an
saea OF the suffering and destltution there, and
may serve as an appeal to the philanthropic
throughout the land A wen known planter writing
rom Bernard, Chicot county. Ark, ays:-"There
are needed in this section rations for 1000 per-
sons and forage Tor their stock. Their lands are
under water and the restitution here win be very
great, nearly all In the overnowed district
having lost their stock and having nothing left to
AID them in purchasing necessary rations. These
persons Gil require help until they can raise some
corn. Help MS 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 aban-
doned by fiIv one-nalf OF the laborers."
PETITION FROM CoLoRED LABoRERs.
petition from $50 colored laborers OF Arkansas
City and vicinity has been forwarded by J. w.
Dickinson, formerly cotton factor here, which
says 1.-THE undersigned, colored people OF Ar
KANSAS city and neighboring plantations, would
respectfully state that we are in destitute condi-
ta0n. only lew OF US having lew days rations,
and they have been furnished by the owners OF
plantations who now have not enough lett for their
own families. The water stands as high four
feet above the floors OF many OF our houses.
some Of US have had to move out
and herd with others as best we can. Over all the
plantations the water stands from three TO i've
ieet- The levees ali broken, the ferries gone.
and stock has been greatly reduced from
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 for many OF us, unless good people Will
n M N q
Mr.. Dickinson, in forwarding the petition, says
''It does not make the condition OF the people
bad as 1t really is Some OF these families are on
my place, and have been feeding them for four
weeks, three OF which they have been cOOped up
Doors. cannot feed them any longer, but hope
something will be done Tor these poor negroes.
They win suffer soon. Some OF them have not
enough left Tor their own families. and others are
living on homny alone or parched corn"
On the other side OF the river there Is consider
able restitution, but Governor Ames and other
state officials are taking steps to relieve it.
But In Arkansas, owing TO the troubled
SeinS done as for the destitute n ana o they
are entirely dependent on tie charities OF citizens
Of other States. The Relief Committee here is
doing good work, but can relieve only small pOr-
zion Of the inundated district. At Hopefeld. OPP
posite here, which has been submerged for nearly
Two months, there Is considerable distress, but II
REPORTS FROM STEAMERS ARRIVING.
The following Information concerning the over
now 10 cleaned from the officers OF boats arriving
last night:-The rise in the st. Francis River,
which set IN lew days since, has overlooked the
banks, and in two or three places the plantations
under cultivation have Deen drowned out. There
10 but little restitution in this valley. and the
planters are hopelnl OF the water soon running or
and OF their being able to resume planting.
This rise has broken the levee in several places
near the mouth OF the river including Jerrerson's
and ST. Ciair's near Island No. SO. and threatens
several other levees at Helena and Frlar's Points.
white River is inside it's banks down to Augusta,
and below there. The painters are yet hope
ful OF being able to make a crop in Lower Arkan-
sas- The water is or all the plantations except
ROwling's and the planters at work.