Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-24
JOHN MCCULLOUGH,
Accompanied by Governor Hawkins
and Other Gentlemen of Both Po-
IiticaI PersuasiOns,
Makes a Trip TO the Submerged Town
of Marion. Ark. aud Views the
wide Waste OF " alter.

An impIomptu trip to Marion, Ark wa
INDUCED in by Governor Hawkins yesterday
afternoon under the supervision of our lead
ing citizens, which no doubt impressed hin
with the terrible conditions of our overlooked
people, and will allow him to act frsm per.
sonal observation, for the good of Tennes-
seeans who occupy the lOwlands on the
Mississippi river front.
The trip was the conception of Major NJ.
J. Waldran, who was chosen to superintend,
and the completeness of each detail in the
arrangement reflects the highest credit on
him. He well deserves the thanks extended
by the guests.
The steamer Overton was secured for the
occasion, and promptly at 2:30 o'clock pm.
she moved off from the wharf with the party,
consisting OF Governor Hawkins, the Hons.
|. NJ. Hill, VIM. NJ. Smith and J. w. Vernon,
Judges Craft and Hammond, Mr.. d. p. Had
den, president of the Legislative Council of
the Taxing District; Napoleon Hill, presi-
dent of the Memphis Cotton Exchange
Major w. II. II. Benyaurd and Prof. Herr,
of the United States engineer service; also
NJ. J. Waldrsn, J. j. Duffy, t. J. Latham
r. +. Patterson, n. NJ. Jones, NJ. T. Will
Hanson, James Lee, f. S. Davis, John Nc
Cullough, William Connors, Sam I. Carnes,
DR.. Samuel Watson, Lucius Clapp, Joseph
Montedonico, Oscar and w. II. Woodbridge,
George Latham, II. F. Dix, T. F. Cassells,
Frederick Hunt, Samuel Williamson, p. J.
Quigley, A. H. Douglass, J. d. Randle, G.
II. Getchell, Esquire Galloway, J. c. Nicely
and Arthur Parker. The following citizens
Of Crittenden county, Ark, were present:
James T. Barton, sheriff; DR.. Covingtou, G..
b. Baugh, l.. p. Berry, j. F. Smith, Amos
Buck, i. +. Crossett and f. d. Mcconnell.
Representatives of the Associated Press and
of the city papers were also present.
The steamer moved directly across the
river, escorted by the tug Desoto, and soon had
the party close to the trees on the Arkansas
side, where water, water, water seemed every
where. We soon reached Hopetield, which
yesterday was ubilant over the appearance
OF little strips of earth, which made their
first appearance above the waters surface
for 10! these many, many days. Every foot
of ground, save the higher grades of the rail-
road track, has been under water. Many OF
the houses are deserted. few freight cars
and two locomotives stand, deserted like, on
the tracks of the Memphis and Little Rock
road. Animals and fowls-the few that
have survived the foods-are in high
pens and on spots of high ground.
Men, women and children were seen drifting
around in skiffs and dugouts as a recreation
from their houses, which, to them, appear as
prisons. After a short stay at Hopefeld we
proceeded up the river to Mound City,
noting in our course the same scenes of sub
merged lands. This landing was semewha at
higher than the other and showed some
good spots of dry ground. The place
is nearly deserted, but being the only
dry place acts as a landing for freight
and passengers At this point We left
the river and entered an opening between
the forest trees, which was said TO be the
cold military road" in ordinary stages of the
water. A little further in the boat entered
the lake, which appears to be about 200 feet
wide and five miles long. Water being every
where, our only means of calculating was from
the appearance of the timber. Through the
trees we observed overflowed fields, herds of
stock and some looking residences.
Al pm. we landed at Marion, and in charge
of Sheriff Barton and Major r. F. Crittenden,
representatives. of the county were introduced
to'tbeir sights, consisting OF some dry land, a
County Court building, clerks office and Jail
1.-THE last three items costing the county
$4,000, and are to-day in dangerous
and unhealthy condition), and the scat
fold whereon eight or. nine men have
been executed. Observing the latter,
Mr. Mccullough, the tragedian, mounted it
and, after closely examining it, remarked ::
"This ia the first sign / have seen here of
civilization" The overflow and its results
being the object of the trip our party soon
did the town." repaired to the boat and
were soon returned to the Memphis wharf
boat, possibly much wiser, but sadder men.