The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-03-08

the ground will be in such condition as to
delay planting until it is too late for good
crop.
At an informal meeting of members Of
Congress from the States affected it was re-
solved TO ask for an additional appropria-
ton Of $400, 600, and q resolution will proba-
bly, be introduced in the House 10 that
effect tomorrow. A proposition was also
made to ask for an appropriation 70 repair
the leveeS at once. To do this promptly
and efiectually, so rs 10 be of service 10 the
people this year, would require not less than
81 900, 600 The consideration of this propo-
sition was deferred until formal meeting
of the members of the river States can be
called, probably tomorrow.
The Mississippi Rising at Memphis--Aid
Asked for Distressed Tennesseeans.
MEMPHIS, March 6-At O'Clock this
morning the gauge at the river indicated
thirty-six feet above low-water mark, show
ing q rise of four inches since yesterday
morning, doubtless caused by local rains,
which fell in torrents all yesterday after
noon and last night throughout the entire
country tributary to Memphis. The Ieie-
graph wires between Memphis and Helena
are down, and nothing can be heard from
rise of yesterday has caused great damage at
that place, as the rise here was unprece
dented, and must have been fully six inches
ar Helena. All streams between here and
Cairo, ILL.,, are pouring out floods this morn
ing, and great disaster 10 the country
below must necessarily result
The Secretary of War advises Governor
CIittendeU, Of Missouri, that he will send
10 600 additional rations to the sufferers BY
~ l.. A
from the Postmaster at Nicksburg Stating
the leyee has broken all along the river.
Many drowned.
AID ASKED FOR TESNEs sEEANs
The followieg telegram was sent this
afternoon:
MEMPHIS. Tenn. March 6. 1882.
Governor Alvin S. kins, Nashville, Tenn:
Reports of suffering by the inhabitants OF Ten
nessee IL these Counties which border on the
Mississippi River daily being received. and
while the citizens Oi Memphis are doing every
thing I'm their power to relieve those in distress,
it is evident that what is being done IS inade-
quate. l would therefore suggest 10 Your Ex-
cellency that the Secretary of War be officially
notified of the distress which prevails in this State
10 the end that portion OF the amount donated
1ennesseeans whose lands have been inus dated
by the present great overflow OF the Mississippi
River. From the most reliable sources l learn
that there are about 5000 persons, who reside in
the Counties bordering the Mississippi River. that
are now suffering and should be provided fUr the
same a. are the destitute OF Arkansas and Nissis-
sippi. NAPOLEON HIrL,
President Cotton Exchange.
SLOWLY STARVING.
a The river here became stationary at noon
nd since then declined perhaps half inch
with thirty six feet on the gauge, rise of
four inches since Saturday night caused by
local rains. Commissioners Mangum, of
Arkansas, and Hemingway, of Mississippi
oarf nj off 10 INT y
sides of the river between here and Green
vile. Miss. Every day brings intelligence
of widespread suffering and OF the destitute
condition OF the people within the inun-
dated regions. Passengers who arrived on
the steamer City OF Greenville tonight re-
port the river having risen eight inches at
Helena. Ark, during the twenty-fours end
ing at 10 O'Clock this morning at which hour
the steamer passed that point. The levee in
front Of the city was still intact but back
water from the overflow was gradually en-
crOaching upon the business rortion of the
city. The levees between Nicksbarg aud
Helena are covered with stock in starving
condition. Several RATS with whole families
on board were seen floating down the stream
and in two instances were rescued by the
crew OF tue steamer and taken on board
The situation has become desperate in some
localities, and now IL Is only a question of
beings and stock.
AN APPEAL FOR GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
ST. Louis March G.-Chas. f.. Slayback
President, and some dozen leading members
of the Merchants Exchange, sent the fol-
lowing message 10 Mr.. Lincoln, Secretary Of
War, this afternoon:
The Merchants Exchange and merchants OF
this city continue % receive numerous petitions
for immediate assistance from the suffering peO-
pie Of the overhowed districts in the Mississippi
Valley. these petitions representing the loss in
material values as almost beyond computation
and the amount of ply steal suffering is appall
Tag large number OF people are not only i'm
but actually dying CT starvation and exposure
The calamity Is so general and extensive that AS
sistaAce to be sdeq uate mus come from the Gen
eral Government as the only source of sufficient
ability 10 meet II. The aid already rendered is
valuable and timely, but Is entirely Inadequate
70 the great emergency. much larger hmount
is absolutely needed TO furnish the bare means of
subsistence. Permit US, through yourself and
Representatives. in Congress, TO appeal 10 the phil
anirophy OF congress Tor renewed enoris IN be
half OF the suffering humanity in the unfortunate
districts.
President Slsyback also telegraphed to the
Mississippi River Memorial Committee, Bow
in Washington, asking them to call on Sec-
retary Lincoln and lay before him the facts
in their possession regarding the situation
iG the oyerfiowed country.
ALARMING IN THE EXrREMR.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, March 6.-The Avalache's
Helena Ark. special says the situation to-
night is alarming in the extreme. The levee
broke above the city last night and the
water is kept of from the city by cross
levee at Walker street. The rise since last
night was four aud half inches and continues
coming up. III the Walker street levee
breaks tonight we will be in a sad condition
tomorrow morning. A large force of men
are at work, and merchants are putting
their goods upon shelves and otherwise pre-
pairing for general overflow. The back
water is rising and covers the floors Of MANY
buildings that did not suffer from the last
rise. The Shelby House has its inst floor
covered by water four inches deep. Reports
from below continue of the most distress
ing character. Two new breaks occurred to-
day and much more damage has 20 be re-
ported. At Apperson's and Fitzhugh's
places, the levees gave way doing great dam
age. There points are a few miles below
here and are plantations.