Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-03-12
THE SUFFERING ON THE. LOWER
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Of Parties Who, have Visited
the Scsnes-The Ruin and Devastation
Observation-Disclosures Number Of Destitute
Double What has been Suppossd-Pre.
parations for further Government Relief
contributions from Points up the
River.

OF affairs in Mississippi, returned tonight at
10 o'clock from Arkansas City. In an inter-
view with a Western Associated Press
reporter, Capt. Lee said that no
idea of the country overfowed can be
imagined without being seen. From
point twenty miles below Memphis, where the
first break in the levee occurred, the entire
country is one vast sheet of water. The people
all thought this submerged country are utter
ly destitute and in starving condition. Their
stock is drowned. They are living in gin
houses, stable lofts and upper stories of cabins.
Hundreds are subsisting on parched corn.
Many have been temporarily relieved by the
distribution of government rations, but others
could not be reached and their sufferings are
very great
The levee along the river front is broken in
forty different places between Memphis and
Arkansas City, and at some points the river is
fifty miles wide. All the published reports
have fallen short of giving an idea of the dam
age that has been done, or the restitution pre-
vailing. His first estimate made to the secre-
tary of war that 800, 900 rations would be re-
quired to feed the needy in the Estate of Mis-
sissipp, WILL he says, fall short, as the desti-
tute will probably be double the number first
estimated. Capt. Lee will telegraph Secretary
Lincoln, and await further instructions at this
point.
TOUR THROUGH THE FLOODED DISTRICT.
LITTLE Rock, March IL. Lieut.. Satterlee,
Third United States infantry, has been ordered
by the war department to.proceed to the over
flowed districts to inspect the supply stations.
Adjutant General Churchill, of the governors
staff, is also ordered down, and both leave to-
morrow morning for Arkansas City.
4. II. Baltimore, Of Philadelphia, arrived
70 frh IA Ho or
to q reporter: Friday we went round the
neighborhood of Arkansas City on an inspect
ing tour. While rowing through the woods
in skiH We came upon half-submerged log
house. Rowing alongside one upper window
we looked in. A man, his wife and two chill
dred occupied the place. The man, upon be-
ing questioned, said: eve did not expect
morning we awoke and found water
all around the house, AMI the floor was lifted
up by pressure, had no means of effecting es-
cape, as we live a great distance from the
river and we have no boats. Did not think
that the flood would become SO serious. I
have been living here for ten years, and have
never before suffered any Inconvenience from
the water. I did not think ii would become
very deep, or we could have waded out at
first. I was foolish enough to think a break
in the levee had caused the overflow, and that
other breaks would occur shortly and dis
tribute the water, but it kept on rising till we
were forced to 60 up stairs. For two days
we have not had anything to eat. The water
is gradually rising, and but for this timely
deliverance we would have soon been doomed
We took this family to land, about ten
miles distant, and provided food. Going out
in the skif again we came upon knoll where
six or seven people had taken refuge. They
had been driven from their homes and unable
to get out Of the bottoms, had remained on
the little knoll, although it could be but tenn
pOrary, as starvation, if not food, must soon
come. Az old man in detection stood near the
edge Of the water and looked with inexpressi-
BILE sadness out upon the great watery waste.
He said that his name was Mauston and that
he had lived in the neighborhood for nearly
twenty years. 81 was living with my daugh-
ter" he said. ''the other night the
food washed in upon US. We
did not have time to make
any arrangements. I called 10 my daughter
to follow me, but just then swift current
daughter scream, and attempted to answer
her, but strangled. was borne on with the
rapid waters until striking tree seized hold
of it and held on. Lifting my head above the
water called my daughter, but the mighty
rush of the waters was my only response.
When daylight came saw the entire country
was flooded. swan from the tree and by
accident reached this knoll.
Our boat was again brought into use. The
poor people were nearly starved, aud when
food was given them they ate ravenously.
There are hundreds of people who have not
yet received government aid, and their cOndi-
| ton is deplorable.
Something must be done. The government,
of course, is doing everything possible for the
relief of the sufferers, but tell yon the sight
OF few supplies would be glorious picture
tn q I no
recently seen says the situations indiscyibable.
can only repeat the expression.
HELENA, ARK.
HELENA, Ark, March 1.-THE river has
! fallen an inch, but the overflow in the city has
risen an inch. Careful watch being kept upon
the levee, and every effort being put forth to
make assurance doubly sure. The relief COM
mittee have their hands full, and are doing
good work. Ratlons for $50 persons were
issued to-day. These do not include applicants
who are supplied by the marshal as special
| commissioner. Many colored people are
coming in from the lower districts, and
from the outlook now labor will be
scarce upon the plantations when the time for
making crop arrives. Intelligence from Clar-
endon, fifty miles west, gives gloomy pic
ture of that place. Little or no business is be-
A.! ing done there, and the water in some places is
l SIX feet deep IN the SLreeLS. Inc DOafQ OF
health announced to-day that starving cattle
had been XII He'd and sold in the market and call
on the city authorities to prevent it, as it is
great danger to the health of the city.
NEW ORLEANS.
NEW ORLEANS, March 1.-THE river is
stationary Only one levee is now left. There
was report of the successful closing of the
break in Hermitage levee, st. Charles parish.
1t is now stated that many plantations in
Baton Rouge parish are protected by back
levees. which will provoke an overflow from
Port Coupe crevasse.
ADDITIONAL ISSUE OF FOOD.
WARRINGTON, March 1.-THE secretary of
war has directed 10000 additional rations to
be issued to Commissioner Wilson at Mound
City, Ills, and 100000 additional rations to
the Louisiana commissioner for the relief OF
the sufferers by the flood.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
BURLINGTON, Iowa, March ia meeting
ofcitizens was held here yesterday to raise
means to relieve the sufferers in the over
flowed districts in the south. A committee
appointed have partially canvassed the city,
and $1,000 is secured already,
CoNsoLATIoN.
New ORLEANS, March 1.-THE Vicksburg