The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-05-22
THE SOUTHERN FLOODS.
An Approximate Estimate OF Losses 4
I.ouisiana
[From the New Orleans Times

Louisiana.
[From the New Orleans Tlmesl
Not until there has been complete
subsistence of the waters can there be
full measurement of the damage sus-
tanned but a survey of the vast plane
of water, which stretches from the bor-
der of Arkansas to the Gulf, with an
average width of, say, fifty miles, We
may at least approximately estimate
the calamity. Predicating our esti-
mates on the best lights now before us,
the loss, direct and consequently, to
the people of this State must largely
exceed $10,0O0,000.
The area now under water is variously
estimated at from $500, 900 to 5000, 900
acres.
Involved is population fairly esti-
mated at 1000, without considering
the large commercial interests of New
Orleans.
Well-informed planters and good
judges with whom we have conversed
consider that there will be O loss of
$50, 900 bales of cotton on the crop of
this year, even under the most favor
able circumstances. Should the over
flow continue longer than the 18th inst,
the loss will be largely enhanced, and
exceed 300, 900 bales.
The loss in sugar is almost total and
absolute, not only for the present year,
but will attend that industry for two
more years after the present. Cane
cannot be brought to a productive ca
pacity under three years, and its res
toration can only be accomplished grad
ually. 1t will be fair to count in the
loss not only of the present year but
the consequential loss of succeeding
years. The loss on this years crop is
variously estimated at from 10000 to
40, 900 hogsheads, but we are persuaded
that the former figures 10000 hogs
heads) are within the margin of certain
ty; that would be SO, 600, 600; next year
10000 hogsheads, 81, 600, 600, and the
year, following that, 10000 hogsheads
or 100000 The sugar loss, then, di-
rectly and consequently, must be SET
down at Sc, 000,0yO.
OF the rice-crop we have certain
loss of 5,031 $40 pounds, which, esti
mated Mt 81 cents, aggregates $311, 996
There may be some loss in the crop
of tobacco, but diligent inquiry has fail
ed to discover that it is material. The
CROP at best, is not large in this State
a full estimate of the loss, and we are
without facts to justify it, would be
100000.
This brings us to the consideration O.
the most difficult part of the subject
the loss of chattel property, such a.
cattle, mules, hogs, poultry, farming
tools, fences, etc. The population, al
above stated, involved in the overflow
is about 100, 600 people, white and black
implying from 5000 to 10000 planta
tions, large and small The question
is, how much has each plantation los
by the flood in cattle, mules, fences
and other chattel interests? 1t canno
be less than 500 to each place, and
there are many persons who would un
hesitatingly write it down 5000 to eacl
place, and yet others who would with
little hesitation, estimate the loss a
double that amount. We preferto tax,
moderate view, and calculate from
tie basis of 5000 places at 5000 each
which would give loss of 81, 200, 900
There remain many other matter
which have not yet been considered
and which legitimately enter into til,
estimates of the losses to which thi
State has been subjected by the grea
overflow. When the State shall be abb
to weigh her misfortunes, it may We
appear that our calculations are far to-
! short