Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-19
HOLLY SPRINGS. MISS.
The FIood-RaiIway aud Telegraphic
Communication interrupted.
from an Anneal Correspondent

From an Appeal CORRESPONDENT
HOLLY SPRISGs, March 1S.-The recent
floods have not only de vastated railroa IL,
thro IN down telegraph poles, broken the
wirez and destr, yei thousands OF dollars
worth Of private property-they have not
only cauled, in addition to oil this, the loss
of many valuable lives and eHtailed untold
suffering upon the survtvoss-but they have
desiraved communication with the desolated
districts to such degree that the full extent
oil the catastrophe cannot be ascertained, nor
adequate relief transmitted. \ number OF
our citizens own, or, at least, are interested
in plantations lying in the Mississippi bot
toms, and as many more have friends and
relatives in the desolated districts. Yet our
townsmen are not only without means OF
transporting provisions and other necessaries
to these afflicted portions Of the State, but
all communication with them by letter or
otherwise is cut off. They cannot learn the
true state of affairs, and even II It were
known, they could not send the relief which,
if it were possible, they would gladly pro-
vide Meanwhile fate-the particulars OF
which they cannot learn-their Imagination
is prone TO magnify and greatly to eIagger-
ate. The anxiety and suffering thus caused
in this and other parts of the State Is very
great.
Our communication by mail was cut of by
the floods, not only from the river districts
but also from all other points. Wednesday,
March sth, was the last day trains ran on
the Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans rail-
road. until Tuesday, March 18th, and even
then it was not until the next day that We
received full mail, either from the North
or South For four days mail was re-
ceived at our postoffice from any point what
ever.
But the disasters caused by this sea Of
waters are not its only results-the hood had
also its comical side. About dozen gentle
men from this city, merchants and lawyers,
visited Oxford to attend the Federal court
lust before the falling OF the heavy rains.
On Wednesday evening their cases were con-
cIuded and they proposed to return home the
following day. Early the neXt morning they
arrived at the depot, and after purchasing
their tickets they were informed that there
would be no train that day. The next morn
ing the same message was delivered them.
What were they TO do? Pressing business
awaited them at home. The proposition was
made 10 walk. This was agreed to by SIX OF
the gentlemen, who, after eatlug hearty
breakfast started out with their tickets IN
their pockets for walk OF thirty miles.
TJpon reaching Abbeville they were informed
that it was impossible to cross the rama
hatchie river, which was three miles broad,
and that the water was over the oridge ltsel.
This river was, indeed, higher than ever De-
fore known by at least three ieet' snu even
II ttere had been a skiff or ferryboat, the
current was so rapid that it would have been
impossible to cross. Our party, however,
pushed on to the river, but, alter taxing
look at it, they unanimously agreed to wait
at least until the next day, before crossing;
They returned 10 AbbeVille and Obtained
supper. lodgings, and breakfast, alter which,
with renewed spirits, they again pushed for
ward. They found, upon reaching the river,
that it was falling rapidly. The track, ties;
and trestlework, for mile on each side OF
the stream, were washed away, but The
bridge itself was uninjured. By noon the
waters had subsidized TO such an extent that
our party could walk to the bridge. From
this point they made the dangerous passage
across the river, one and two at time, IN
skiff. and were finally ali landed safely upon
the other side. They were then carried
seven miles, to Waterford, on the top OF
freight car Upon arriving at this point
three of the party concluded 10 wait for =
freight train, which was promised some time
during the evening, but the others, 10 make
Assurance doubly sure, decided 20 walk the
remaining ten miles. This they accom-
plished by sunset, and as they drew near
their homes they heard the whistle and rum
bling of the train which bore the remaining
members Of the party-thOse who were LETT
of at Oxford, as we'll as at Waterford-so