The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-03-11
THE SOUTHERN FLOODS.

GREAT DISTRESS ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI
FROM EXCESSIVE WETNEss.
| Not in many years has the rise in the lower
Mississippi been 50 damaging as it has been
for the last two weeks. Some idea of the stu.
tation may be gathered from the following in
reference to villa, is known us the Tacoma Cir.
Gle IN Eastern Arkansas;
Laconia Circle is rich bottom on the Ar.
kansas side OF the river, and contains about
$4,000 acres OF the finest Of cotton land IL Is
about sixty miles below Helena and is one of
the fairy spots Of Nature. The family Of
Black burns have done much toward building
up their localities, and their homes are places
OF elegance and comfort. Their plantations
were stocked with the purest breeds OF stock,
and the cattle of that whole country have been
greatly improved by crossing with their
breeds From this authority | learn that the
flood covers every acre of the Circle, and ev-
cry house has water IN it. There have been
up To this time two persons drowned IN the
overflow, and many more have suffered acct.
dents of serious nature. There have been
between four and five hundred cattle drowned
IN the immediate vicinity, and many more are
dying daily from starvation. The people are
all sufferers. but those who are poor arc IN
terrible condition indeed. Many of the wo
men and children have been sent away, but
some men are standing by their property and
keeping up courage rs best they can. The
poor people are in terrible condition, ana
many are really starving. As an Item of the
state OF affairs, the colored people are killing
the starving cattle and are Dutchcrlng the car.
casses of animals that have been dead several
DAYS for food The overflow on the Circle was
caused by the breaking OF the private levee in
the front OF the Burke plantation. The effects
of the flood Will be to ruin the country finan-
cially for five years or longer and Its final in
fluence upon the future of this section Can
hardly I've foretold
Lower down, in Desha and Chico, counties,
Ark, and Quitnan county, Miss, they are
equally affected An account says;
Refugees from hese counties give graphic
and thrilling accounts OF the floods which
drove e. em from their homes. One man says
he was awakened at midnight by roaring
sound, and aroused his wife and three children
under the impression that cyclone was
sweeping across the plantation. Some minutes
later the house was swept from its foundation
and 1t lloated of on a sea OF water The wreck
was almost instantaneous, and the occupants
of the dwelling could not realize the situation
until they were forced to seek shelter on the
root Thy -.aso-ea che newt nn0-n,nn
Similar incidents were related. Gov. Churchill
said today that the number of persons requir-
ing assistance would probably reach 5000,
and might even exceed that figure The loss
of stock has been heavy. kilograms from the
overlooked districts report the water falling.
The Iron Mountain railroad IS again running
on schedule time having sent tram south
this morning.
A Washington dispatch of Monday says:
The War Department continues to receive
dispatches from points in the Southwest in re-
gard to damages from floods. Secretary Lin
coin said this afternoon that the losses and
consequent suffering exceed any estimate yet
made There are urgent calls for greater
measure Of relief than can be afforded within
the limits OF the appropriation aud these de-
mands of course cannot be fully met without
the consent of Congress Senators and mem
bers of the House from the afflicted states are
III receipt of urgent kilograms calling tor an
appropriation commensurate with the dsas.
ter. From Little Rock alone there are reports
that 10000 persons are made absolutely dcsti-
tutc, and to feed these these even until the
flood reCedes will require double the sum set
aside for that state from the appropriation by
Congress. Senator Garland says the munich.
paities and corporations OF the state are re-
spending literally, but they are burdened by
refugees from the flooded districts He also
says the present distress i. only beginning
Levees are broken in 50 many places that the
communities have been unable
to repair them IN time to prevent an overflow
when the June rise GENES. II is also feared
that under the best circumstances the ground
will be in such condition as to delay planting
until too late for good crops. At an informal
meeting Of members of Congress from the
states affected it was resolved to ask for an al.
ditional appropriation OF 100000, and "A reso.
luton viii probably be introduced in the
House TO that effect tomorrow A PROPOSE
ton was also made to ask tor an appropriation
to repair the levees at once To do this
and eiiectually, so as TO be of service
to the people this year, would require not less
than 81 900 600. Consideration of this propo-
sltion was deferred until formal meeting Of
of the river states can be called.