Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-09
At Council BEND, Ark.

COUNCIL BEND, March - 1852.
To the Editors of the Appeal:
You no doubt desire all the information
you can obtain from different localities on
the river respecting the progress of this I'M
precedented food. AT this place the water
is twelve inches higher than it was in 1867
and four inches higher than in 1862. The
water is in every house in this region of
country, generally above first foors-in my
dwelling it is three feet deep in the dining
room, and rapid current flows through the
hall. j suppose the caving off of high front
lands, railroad leyess, cut-ofEs in the river
bends, etc, causes devIatlons OF the volume
of water in different localities, hence it is
higher in one place during this flood where
it was lower in 1867 or 1862 at the same point.
Thus we frequently hear of discrepancies
about the average level of the water. The
draught of water against the ridges be-
tween here and Cat Island has no doubt in
huenced the altitude very much at that point.
In this way we may explain the egregious
error of the correspondent OF the Cincinnati
Commercial, for now it is a notorious fact that
there is at present the most disastrous flood
in the Mississippi river that has ever &C.
CURED in thirty, perhaps 100 years. Not
only is the overflow deep and extensive, but
owing 10 the terrible currents over the coun-
try the devastation is simply terrific. Nesr-
ly all the stock, except mules, are drowned,
starved or swept away by the torrents Of wa
ter. | know of but few mules lost as yet.
On general survey of the surroundings, l
cannot imagine more loomy state OF affairs.
AS the levees give way in some places To-
cal fall occurs above-instance Arkansas
City. A child can now see that general
levee system will ruin the country and COM
pletely depopulate the river region. But the
River Commission and Congress are still in
cIined to continue IN their efforts TO adopt
eneral levee plan, and thus, by their infatu
alton, if successful, will inhict an incurable
nuisance on this fertile country. A small lot
of government supplies have been received
at this place Tor distribution to the ndigent
population. So far as the planters are con-
cerned, l am opposed to the thing
in toto. Every man with the least
spark of humanity in him will see
that his tenants shall not suffer for the means
of sustaining life, and We very much fear the
demon alizing influence OF such assistance.
But there is another phase OF the subj ct to
be taken into consideration outside Of the
planters tenants There are a great many
renters on farms whose owners reside at
distance too far to afford assistance, and
among that class great distress prevails, aud
any intrinsic help may be considered a God
send. Many are in upper stories, some on
top of houses, looking over a watery waste,
and contemplating the possibility of being
swept away in the rushing waters. With
the Sc it is 4 struggle for life, and all chart
tics are most thankfully received and are an
absolute necessity. Now, Messrs Editors l
respectfully suggest to all newspapers to cease
publishing favorable accounts OF falling
water when the sequel proves the reverse TO
have been the fact. | have myself lost much
stock which might have been saved had l
not listened to the delusive counts of de-
Ginning waters-that is keeping the word of
promise to our ear and breaking it to our
hope" But this fallacy .may be more the
fault of the erroneous kilograms, which are
too often sent carelessly. Respectfully,
GEORGE b. PETERS.