Columbus index. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1869-1893, 1874-05-08

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what we pray for may not be granted;
but better than that is done; the
soul Is blessed as God sees its. needs.
Respectfully submitted,
w. s. HARRISON.
For rs INDEX.
NEW ORLEANS TO vICKsBBRG
IN a FLOATING PALACE.
At5P. NJ, April Dist 1874, we left
the Delta City on board the "Thomp.
son Dean,p one Of the strongest and
best appointed steamers that tray
els the Father of Rivers. The day
was delightful, the last adieus were
said, the lines "cast Off and we soon
leave behind the multitude of peO-
pie on the wharf, signifyiug by
waving hats and handkerehiefs,
their wishes that we may base a
safe and pleasant trip. Taking our
position on the upper deck, we gaz-
ed upon the retreating city for many
miles. Any one who has never seen
the Mississippi river at New Or
leans, can scarcely realize the unusual
appearance of the surroundings,
from the fact, that the surface OF the
river is some s or 10 feet above the
streets of the city. From the steam
CT you actually look down upon
the town and adjoining country on
either side; this popularity cOntin-
ues with a varying height for sever
al hundred miles; there Is OCCASION
ally a higher point, but most the way
a l1vee is required to keep the river
within its banks--iOr some weeks
past it has been higher than for sew
eral years befOre-nOt only threaten
ing, but actually breaking through
its bounds, forming what is here
termed "Crevasse." Wherever one
of these breaches occur, it opens a
rapidly cnlarging gateway for the
superabundance of turbid waters to
pass, carrying destruction to crops,
stock and in some cases inhabi-
tauts. There are several Parishes
thus submerged, embracing many
thousand acres of the best lands OF
Louisiana; the people are driven
from their homes, having lost every
thing, crops, stock and personal
property, all swept away.
Calls for assistance are being
made upon the State, cities, and the
general Government, to furnish the
necessaries of life, supplies; includ-
ing food, clothing and money, are
forwarded as rapidly as possible;
these donations come from all sec
lions of the country, prompted by a
spontaneous feeling of sympathy for
suffering humanity animate prin'
ciple which knows no sectional lines.
We are all one great brotherhood
and should always be ready and
willing to lend helping hand to
those in distress.
You must excuse this depression
it had to be written to relieve my
mind and express my views. Will
now resume my sketch and try to
give you a faint description of the
steamer "ThOmpsOn Dean;' her
route is to and from Cincinnati and
New Orleans, stopping only at the
larger places on the way. She was
built in 1871 and began her regular
trip on the first of January, 1872, is
over 800 feet in length, correspond
ingly wide and deep, with a convey
ing capacity of 1900 tons of freight,
and 140 passengers-cOst S1SO,OOO.
She is commanded by Capt. Pepper,
Mr.. Miller clerk, both pleasant and
afable gentlemen. From these fig
ures you can form some idea of the
''Dean;r but it is quite impossible to
describe the magnificent finish of
the saloon, and STATE rooms, they
shine and glitter with gold Leaf; the
chandeliers are elegant, and the sa-
loon furniture is made to correspond,
while the table furniture and fare is
equal to the best hotels. We have
attractive bills of fare and all the
meals are served in the best style,
with music by the band while we
are eating. Each passenger is assign
ed his scat at the table, finds his
name on card in his plate, in short
there seems to have been nothing
left undOne that could add to the
comfort and safety of the passengers.
of whom there are nearly 100 on
hoard this trip. You can travel-eH
such a steamer as this without any
feeling of aprehended danger. The
HDeanp is Il Staunch boat. We re-
tired at Top. m, and slept enough
to last any one p hours, arose at
six, and took our position on the
upper deck for ObservatiOn-again
appeared that interminable levee.
Soon we came upon one OF those cres
vases, where the waters were pour.
ing out upon the plantations like a
small river, while there were scores
of men (and among them, were
large number of cOnvicts in their
striped clothing on a tow boat hard
at work with every available means,
endeavoring to repair the levee and
thereby prevent further destruction
of crops; it was slow work. The force
and pressure of the almost resistless
water is fearful to contemplate; there
has been many crevasses made dur
ing the heavy, continued rains of the
last few weeks, requiring the inces-
SAINT labor of hundreds to strengthen