New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-22
DROWNED IN THE OVERFLOW.
VICTIMS OF THE MISSISSIPPI FLOOD.
THE WATER FALLEN ABOUT NINE INCHES
RAILROAD TRACKS REAPPEARING.


THE WATER FALLEN ABOUT NINE INCHES
RAILROAD TRACKS REAPPEARING.
Quincy, Ill, May 21.-Reports received to-day
give news Of the drowning of Samuel Moore by the
floods in the Indian Grove district, and OF two
children of William Johnson in the Sny district.
Two families living in the Sny district are unac-
counted for and no trace OF them can be found.
IL is probable that many fatalities will be recorded
when all the facts regarding the flood are fully
known Much sickness prevails among the desti-
tute people from the inundated districts, but the
relief committee Of Quincy is rendering every pos
sible assistance to those in distress The river to-
day is falling slowly, having declined nine inches
from the highest point reached Trains on the
Western roads will be resumed tomorrow and the
damage to all roads in this locality will be repaired
as speedily as possible.
IL Is thought that the worst Of the high water is
passed. But the worst that could happen has al
ready occurred hundreds of families having been
rendered homeless and thousands of of growing
crops ruined, to say nothing of the loss entaied
oy demolished dwellings, wrecked fences and wash
outs. A trip through the submerged regions shows
Ihat tne stories OF loss and suffering already pub
llshed nave not been exaggerated in the least
From the northern end of Adams County to the
southern eno OF Pike County the land on the Lii
nols side OF the river was protected by system
OF leVees, the region embracing 250,O0O acres, the
soil being the richest in the State All the region
now one vast Lake, from six TO ten feet In depth
Along the bluffs on the eastern edge Of the sub
merged district hundreds of families camped
living in tents, huts and in the open air. Before
the Hood most Of these people were wellt0-d0,
prosperous farmers, but now they have little or
2othing.
The inundated regions are full of desolation.
Deserted homesteads with the water tapping the
caves the most frequent as well as the most
pathetic sight But here and there is spark Of
life not yet extlnguished by the all destroying
waters While the vast majority Of the inhabit-
ants fed to the higher land, few were not
grained time to get away, or were determined to
stay with their homes and are now living in the
garrets the roofs. Every roof has been turned
into place Of refuge for live stock and poultry,
but numberless houses have been lifted from their
foundations and been carried away by the current,
or demolished entirely.
In the Sny levce district below this city the
situation is infinitely worse than in the regions
to the North The crevasse which completed the
inundation opened at the upper end of the en-
bankment, and the pentup water from the river
poured over the vast tract OF rich farming land,
sweeping everything before it. The food rushed
force which nothing could Withstand. The towns
of Fall Creek, Seehorn and Huls are mere islands,
and hundreds Of refugees arc huddled together In
q limited space. Four or five families are living
in each Of the rooms in the few houses above the
water and are suffering much.
The damage to railroad property is great. and IL
will be three weeks after the water subsidies be-
fore the trains can be running on time ms cry
is cut off from railroad communication Nortn,
West and South. The Quincy and Carthage track
Is under water for several miles. The Quincy,
Alton and st. Louis track is washed for miles
The Chicago. Burlington and Quincy and the
Wabash tracks at East Hannibal were washed out
Mayor Hewitt received from John Dwight & Co;
yesterday check for 800 to Re applied TO the 1und
for relieving the sufferers by the Mississippi MOODS