Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-05-19
Destructive Floods.

The great flood 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 hes heep rising
steadily at the rate OF from four to fourteen
Inches daily. The government guage now
marks nineteen feet nine nches, being seven
inches higher than during the great flood Of
1881. Above and below Quincy, ILL.,, are
over 100 miles Of levees for the protection of
fully 100000 acres of land, the most produc-
live farming lands in the valley. On Sun
OF these great embankments known SIS the
Indian Grove levee. During the day two
other creVasses were made and within few
| hours thousands of acres Of winter wheat,
that promised yield OF from forty to sixty
bushels en- acre, were laid waste. The
farmers had been working upon the en-
hankmeut night and day in the hope of say.
ing their homes, and when the food came
| the majority CT them had barely time to save
their families, so sudden and overwhelming
was tho onrush of the waters. Outside the
embankment was the great river, g solid
body of water twenty feet deep, and as soon
as crevasse was made it poured through
the opening with roar that could be heard
- long distance. Every moment in
creased the width of the crevasEe and
the great flood that was to carry de-
struction in lis pathway. Thrifty homes
were deserted on q moments notice from
ridera who were sem cut 10 give warning Of
the danger, in many cases the people being
obliged to leave everything and fly TO the
bluffs or seek safety il boats. On Monday,
The Sny Carte lev G, 81 embankment COM
nencing just below Quincy and extending
south distalce of fifty. four miles, gave way
between Hannibal and Louisiana, and the
scenes enacted the day previous were re.
peated aud intensified. Early in the week
the Alexandria levee, thirty miles above
Quincy, gave way, completely flooding that
thrifty city.
The river above and below East Hannibal
is from ten to fifteen miles broad, covering
all the farms on both sides and extending
from the bluffs On the Illinois side 10 the
high bluffs in Missouri The scene of deso-
lation between Quincy and Hannibal is SIM
ply pitiabie. What was g few days age G
fertile valley teeniDg with abundant crops
is vast expense OF water, deserted by every
living thing. Hundreds Of men, women. and
children are gathered on the bluffs in small
groupa desolate, forlorn, and Gesparing.
Many of them are utterly destitute, having
neither sufficient clothing nor shelter, and
some suffering for food, despite the bravery
Of moro fortunate neighbors who are making
every exertion to relieve their immediate
wants Railroads running into Quincy are
seriously embarrassed, and the losses to rail.
road interests will be much more serious
than hes been anticipated.
Communication to the west from Quincy
is entirely cut off, every road being under
water. In that city factories and warehouses
elong the river are seriously embarrassed
and large buildings are being gradually un-
deririned by the rushing waters. Thurs
dsy evening mass meeting was held to
devise means for the immediate relief of the
destitute sufferers from the flood For the
past two or three days these helpless peo-
pie have hecu coming to the city in boats,
g single rowboat often containing an entire
family with such household effects as could
be quickly gathered together. Fc: ten days
it bas rained steadily to add to the suffering
The water is still steadily rising end the
worst of the food has not yet been reached.
The situation among the people suffering
from this disaster is practically unchanged
since yesterday. They are in especial need
for feeG for their stock, hundreds of which
are nuddled together on the the embank-
| ments and only partially fed By the citi-
zens among whom the scferers have taken
refuge. The first loss Of human life was re-
ported yesterday morning. Before there
had been 3 number of narrow escapes from
drowning in efforts to rescue stock.