The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-03-30
THE FLOODS.
The Situation in Louisana.

New ORLEANS, March 29.-An Opelousas
(La.) special says the effect of the overflow is
being strongly fetin the eastern and northeas-
tern portions of st. Landry. In addition to At
chafalga, Bayou Rouge, and Petit Prairie, all
of Waxla and portions of Bayou Courtableau
are submerged. At noon yesterday, the water
was twenty-five inches above the railroad
track on Bayou Bouef at Beggs station, and
put out the fires in the engines, but the tain
rap through to dry land with the steam on
hand and then renewed the fires. The water
is in Wilkinss warehouse at Washington and
is still rising rapidly.
Twenty-one Thousand People Destitute in
Arkansas.
MEMPHIS, March 29.-Lieuts. Satterlee and
Richards arrived here this morning. The lat
ter, who has been on an investigating tour in
Mississippi and Crittenden counties, Ark, re-
ports that three-fourths of Mississippi county is
still under water, which, however, Is falling
steadily, and decline of twelve inches more
will relieve all tillable land of the flood. There
are about 800 people in the northern central
portion of the country that will need aid for nj
teen days longer. In Crittenden county the des-
titute number about 1000 and will require as
sistance for fifteen days. All of this county is
ander water except in the vicinity OF Marion
and Charlottesville. A detailed estimate OF
destitute people in the State of Arkansas, plac-
es the number at $1,000, who will have to be
provided with supplies for about fifteen days.
The Government Relief.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, March 29-The government
steamer General Barnard with 1900 govern
ment rations Of meal and 80 tons of food and
clothing from charitable citizens left last night
for Memphis, Helena and Vicksburg in COM
mand of Capt. Mullins. Gen. Beckwith has
Just received report from Lieut. Randolph
dated Delhi, Louisiana, in which the Cor
respondent sums up the situation as follows:
In the district from Red river to the Arkansas
line and about fifty miles west of the MISSISSIPPI
pi there has been no loss of life except few
children on Black river, and there is no act
ual starvation or destitu; ion at present. The
supply of rations if jndciously husbanded will
supply all pressing needs until April 1st, W hen
If there is no improvement in the situation be-
fore that date, there will exist general destitu-
ton among the white and black. Should the
flood fall decidedly by April 10th, l think at
the most there will be needed only half rations
of bacon and meal to May LIST, for 5000 persons
who constitute class of small farmers, white
and black If there is no change for the better
before April 10th there will be about 49, 900
persons without food or credit. Should the
water fall decidedly by April tenth the prob
ability is that planting can be done by May |,
and with that prospect large planters will pre-
fer to feed their own hands. Whereas ii the
water continues to rise the whole system OF
credit and working will be upset. Commits
sion merchants will decline to advance to
country merchants and planters, and the latter
will not be able to feed the laborers. cannot
too strongly recommend that all issues be dis.
continued Immediately upon the snbsiding OF
the water SO that planting can begin.