Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-21
Terrible Condition OF Affairs Along the
Lower COast-NOt Single Plan
tatiOn Between
Memphis and Friars Point That is Not
Wholly or Partially Submerged
Cattle, Hogs and Sheep
Drowned by Hundreds-Great Destrue-
tIOn OF Property-Seven Persons
Drowned Near Helena.
The Situation Almost Desperate-Imme-
date Action Demanded for the
Relief for the Sufferers.

The Mississippi river is now at food tide,
and iIs sweeping current, in its relentless
downward flow to the gulf, carries on its
bosom the evidence OF its destructive powers.
The valley OF this mighty river contributes
largely to the commerce of the world, and
knowledge of its condition is at all times
valuable information to the people of the
West, as we'll as the South and East. In
order that the true condition of affairs as
they now exist might be known, the APPEAL,
last Friday, sent representative down the
river as far as Friars Point, Mississippi.
Taking passage ON the steamer james Lee,
of the Lee Line, every facility for the gather
ing OF information was afforded, and startling
as may seem the perusal of his report, yet its
truthfuIness can be vouched for, and demands
prompt action on the part cf our Cotton
Exchange for the relief of the sufferers
Commencing at Madden's Landing, seven
miles below Memphis, there is not planta-
ton on either shore of the river that is not
PARTIALLY OR ENTIRELY SUBMERGED.
In many instances dwellings have been
washed away; corn-cribs and barns, with
their contents, have been ruined, and stock
drowned, and the end is not yet. All
through this overhowed country, which ex-
tends as far down as Friars Point, Missis-
sippi, distance of one hundred and twenty
miles, the situation is almost desperate.
Those that were able to save their stock
have been compelled to build platforms, on
which are row huddled their animals, and
as the little corn that yet remained was lost,
to feed them has now become as great a
cause of anxiety as was their safety in the
beginning. Cattle, hogs and sheep have been
DROWNED BY THE HUNDREDS,
nnJ their dead carcasses can now be seen
floating over the flooded bottom lands on
which they were feeding when the waters
came upon them. Some of the planters were
more fortunate, and saved their stock by TAX
ing them to the ridges, where they are safe
from the overflow, but still subject to starva-
ton unless feed is provided In some in
stances cabins that were built above the
high-water mark are inhabited by negroes,
who have taken their mules with them, and
all are now living peacefully, If not happily,
together.
BROKEN LEvEEs.
The following breaks have oc cured in the
lever:
At Mhoon's Landing, Mississippi, fifty
miles below Memphis.
At Austin, Mississippi, about four hundred
yards above the town.
At point three miles above Helena, Ark
ansaS, near Trotter's Landing.
At Wiliismsons place, two miles below Hell
ena, Arkansas.
At the Gordon place, two miles above
Delta, and nine miles bslow Helena, Ark
Anlas-
The levee which protected L1conia Circle
also broke last Thursday night, and the whole
circle is now nnder water. There are eight
cen large plantations that suffer. by this
Henry, Dr.. Henry Blackburn, Shepard Il
Blackburn, X. III. Keene, DR.. Scott, Mrs. Ed
Blackburn, Mrs. Rice, B. ]. Eddin' and Gov
ernor Luke Blackburn, of Kentucky. From
Captain Pat Henry, who was passenger on
the Dean Adams Sunday, the APPEAL repre-
sentative learned that the break occurred in
the rear. There was large force at work at
the time on the front levee, which was great
Iy endangered by the waves viich were
caused by the gale that blew from the south
on that day. By almost superhuman effJrts
they succeeded in preventing break, and
were congratulatiDg themselves on their es-
cape, when woxd was brought that break
had occurred in the rear. 1t was occssioned
by a sipe which tie man placed on duty to
Hatcn ndO IAlieu 70 I port anu eOOA iiS -
ters began pouring in, and in lew
minutes the break was fully one hundred
wards wide. LacoLia circle ia twenty miles
ia circumferen e, and this is The frat break
that has occurred since 1867. The waters,
according to marks, are now ten inches
higher than was ever known, and are twelve
inches higher than in 1887. A large num-
Der of cattle and hogs will be drowned and
starved by this break. Ali the dwellings
MT the circle NJ Surronudpd nv water
and the stock that was saved are on plat
forms that have been hastily built 10 save
them from being drowned.
The break in the levee above Delta forced
the water up into Moon lake, and overhowed
the entire country back to Jamestown, dis
tauce Of fifteen miles.
Water covers the distance from Friars
Point to Clarksville, fifteen miles in the in
terror, which is now communicated with only
BY means of skifis and dugouts.
The break at WilliamsOn's place, two
miles below Helena, which is three hundred
yards wide, mandates all the bottom planta-
tions in Phillips county, Arkansas, from
Heleps to Old Town, distance OF twenty
fy- mil g.
The break which occurred Friday night
lust above Austin has extended about SIX
miles up the river, up to the first break,
which occurred at Mhoon's Landing, and
will ovsr1Aw the entire country between
Austin and Friars Point, distance OF thirty
five miles.
Helena, Arkansas, is partially under wa
ter, caused by the break at Williamson,
which has backed up into the city and now
covers several streets 10 the depth OF from
two to four feet. Many dwellings are en-
tirely surrounded, and her citizens ooul-
PEELED to resort to skifis as means OF convey
ance in travelling to aud fro. She might
appropriately be called just at this period
the Venice OF America.
BETWEEN MEMPHIS AND FRIARs POINT
the following plantations have felt the effects
of the high water: Apperson's, Merriwether's,
Persons, the Hampton place, Owned by L. III.
Allen; Frank McConnelis, Ensley's farm,
Harris landing, owned by Fox Bros; Major
WE. Scanlan's, the Waverly place, owned
by T. H Allen & Co; the Fleece plsce,
Lawhorn's, DIR. q. B. Peters's, Z B. Tolier-
sous, A. w. McConnell's, j. NJ. Williford'F,
w. H. Grider's, Joe Harklerosd's J. p. Thur
man & Sons, Il. +. Abbey's, Ii. 5. Harkle
road'4, Lamb & E]dins'<, W. G. Swoope's, ].
Isl. L. Ho,loway's, r. F. & 5. rat='s,
(storehouse also undtr waterl, q. T. Smiths
fstore surrounded By water), J. NJ. Hsrkle-
roads (lower place., Moore'+, j. NJ Hack
ler, Iate & Co, (-tore surrounded 10y water,
Thurman & Es;es'S, West McPeake's, (s'ors
on outside Of levee surrounded by water, d.
w F!v's store ard plantation both partially
unneT Nd'tIi n \. ADoer - AiO"St P,@S - A.
A McSeeIey's, viii PO'k's, a.. Corleu's, A.
G.ShetoD & Co, (store surrounded by water
Dr.. b. D. Hodges, J. +. Franks, J. NJ. John
SOM, W. d. WilliforG'+ Webster & N-ely's
(store under wster), Mrs. ". d. c acks, plan
tation and dwelling entirely under water,
lost some stock; 3 tne & &Johnsou's, E Halii
gan's, D. Pointers, Judge A. Wright's, J. A.
Forrest, Frank Rodsers's, II. B. Dapuy's,
Marshal G ,ines's. G. plain Ferd Rpdgers'-, J.
T. Fargason',, 4. TAFT, \ G.WOrmley' Damn
4 tEManees's, plaatat;on under water stort house
capsizsd aud mules in sinhouss luf.; B.rry's
plantation under water, hut mules and cattle
saved on leg sesfolds.
ON THE ARKANSAS SHORE.
Every plantation b.tween the Pillow
Mound place anl Helena, a distance Of
thirty-6ye miles, is under water. w. D.
Browns plantation, at Harberts Landing,