The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-05-19
UNPRECEDENTED FLOODS.
Great Destruction Along the
Mississippi River,
FEARFUL DAMAGE RESULTS
From the Brcakage ofLevees-Thou-
sands of Acres Under Water.
Crops Destroyed People E
HomeIess-sad Scenes.

QUINCY, Liz, may lo-lne RTeut HOOu
that now prevails along the Mississippi
river has never been equaled but once,
the single exception being in 1851. Ten
days ago the water reached the danger
point, and from that time has been rising
steadily at the rate OF from four to four
teen inches daily. The government
gauge now marks 10 feet 8 inches, being
seven inches higher than during the
great flood Of 1881. Above and below
Quincy are over ono hundred miles OF
levee for the protection Of fully two
hundred thousand acres OF land, the
most productive farming lands in the
valley. On Sunday morning the first
break occurred in one OF these great
embankments, known as the Indian
Grove levee. During the day other
crevasses were made and within few
hours thousands 0fRcres OF winter wheat
that promised a yield OF from forty to
sixty bushels to the acre, were laid
waste.
From Fayetteville, Ark, comes n re-
port that it has rained necessarily there
for the last thirty-six hours and that the
White River, usually peaceful stream,
tHoMEs DESTROYED.
The farmers had been working on The
embankment night and day in the hope
OF saving their homes, and when the
food came majority OF them had barely
time to save their families, so sudden
and overwhelming was the rush OF the
torrents. Outside the embankment was
the great river, solid body Of water
twenty feet deep, and as as soon as
crevasse was made 1t poured through the
opening with roarthat could be heard
long distance. Every moment increased
the width OF the Crevasse and the great
food that was to carry destruction in its
pathway. Thrifty homes were deserted
on moments notice from riders who
were sent to give warning OF the danger,
in many cases the people being obliged
to leave everything and fly to the bluffs
or seek safety in boats.
On Monday the Sny Carlo levee, an
embankment commencing Just below
Quincy and extending south distance
of tifty.four miles, gave way between
Hannibal and Louisiana, and the scenes
enacted the day previous were repeated
and intensified. Early in the week the
Alexandria levee, thirty miles above
Quincy, gave way, completely flooding
the thrifty city. Yesterday a crevasse
was made in the Sny levee at East Ham
nibal, followed soon after by another
break mile south, and last night tho
destruction Of all the levee districts was
complete. Not an acre Of ground
in this vast territory can escape tho
flood, and the loss to farming interests Is
simply incalculable. Cattle and horses
in the fine wooded pastures were over
whelmed in many localities and drowned.
The river above and below the city is
from ten to fifteen miles broad.
SCENES OF DEsoLATIoN.
The scene of desolation between
Quincy and Hannibal is simply pitiable.
What was a few days ago fertile valley,
teeming with abundant crops, is now a
vast expanse OF water, deserted by
every living thing. The water is pour
ing over the top OF the levee, besides
rushing through the breaks from three
hundred to four hundred yards wide,
with irresistible force. On the dry
places on the embankment are hundreds
OF cattle, horses and hogs without feed
and no prospect OF drink except when
in danger Of being swallowed up in the
floods.
Far across, on the opposite bluffs, arc
| do nj
children, in small groups, desolate, for
lorn, despairing. They look upon the
ruin wrought, OF farms laid waste, prop.
erty destroyed, homes almost completely
under water, furniture floating away and
stock drowning. Many OF them are ut.
terly destitute, having neither sufficient
clothing nor shelter, and some are suf-
iering for food, despite the bravery OF
more fortunate neighbors who are max
ing every exertion to relieve their imme-
diate wants. Steps have been taken to
relieve them, and the spirit OF charity is
already pouring its abundance to aid
them with every necessary OF life.
A mass meeting was held last night 10
devise means for the immediate relief O
the destitute sufferers from the food.
For the past two or three days these
helpless people have been coming 10
the city in bOats, single row-boat often
containing IN entire family with such
household effects as could be quickly
gathered together.
The water is still steadily rising and
the worst Of the flood has not yet been
reached.
GREAT SUFFERING.
The Quincy Wing to-day organized
three expeditions to the overaowed dis.
tricts and obtained minute particulars Of
the condition OF the refugees camped ON
the highlands and bluffs north and south
OF the city. In the Indian Grove dis
trict there are $50 families reported
homeless, the majority OF whom are par.
TALLY sheltered in barns and otherb
ings on farms not inundated. A nun.
Der, however, remain in the upper
stories Of dwellings in the submerged
area.
hAThese unfortunates cannot long stand
the strain upon their limited resources.
They are in many instances suffering for
} clothing, Children are in garb fit only
for the hottest weather in comfortable
} homes, and the men have only very
meagre outfits. The women are also
very short Of clothing. The force Of tho
flood inside the lcvees was much
greater than previous reports would in.
dicate. Hundreds Of farm houses and
other buildings are being swept away
and demolished. The Burlington and
, the Wabash roads at East Hannibal ara
washed out for a thousand yards or more
and the tracks are covered with water
. the entire distance in the Sny district.
, The damage to railroad property will be
enormous.
syrup OF Figs
is natures own true laxative. Il Is the
most ensilv takpn. and the inosf ofTocIi,,.,