New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-19
THE RAGING MISSISSIPPI.
FIFTEEN MILES WIDE AT QUINCY, Ill

RELTEr FOR rHY FAMILIES DRIVEN FROM rnKrR
HoMEs-HEAvr RAINS IN ARxANsAa
QUINCY, Ill, May 1s.-The food that now pre-
walls along the Mississippi River has been equaled
only once. the single exception being In $751; Ten
days ago the water reached the danger point and
from that time has been rising steadily at the rap
OF from four to fourteen inches daily. The GoveA.
ment gauge now marks nineteen feet nine inclka,
being seven inches higher than in the great aoo& Of
1881. Above and below Quincy are over enc 6un.
drcd miles OF levees for the protection Of full
hundred thousand acres of land-the most pro.
ductive farming lands in the valley. On Sunday
morning the first break occurred in
ono Of these great embankments known
as the Indian Grove levee. Now
the river above and below the city is from ten
to fifteen miles vide, covering all the farms on both
sides and extending from the bluffs on the Illinois
side to the high bluffs in Missouri. THE scene Of
desoation between Quincy and Hannibal is SIM
ply pftiable What was few dAys ago fertile
valley, tcemng with abundant crops is q vast
expanse Of water. The water fs pouring 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 tho
embankment arc hundreds Of cattle, horses and
hogs without food Far across on the opposite
bluffs are hundreds of men, women and children in
small groups, desolate, forlorn, despairing Many
of them are utterly destitute, having neither suf-
fcient clothing nor shelter, and suffering for
food, despite the efforts of more fortunate neigh
bors, who are making every exertion to relieve
their immediate wants. Steps have been taken
to aid them.
Railroads running into Quincy are seriously EN-.
l'arrassed, anil the losses to the companies win
be much moro serious than has been anticipated.
Comm unication to the West from, this cry is en-
tirely cut OF, every road being under water In
many localities ties and rails for q distance Of
many miles have been washed from the roadbed
By the food, and are piled up along the embank-
ment and in the woods. Bridges and culverts
will be carried out and the roadbeds will be seri.
ousy damaged. In this city factories and ware
houses along the river are seriously embarrassed,
and large buildings were undermined by the rush.
ing waters.
Last night q mass meeting was held to devise
means for the immediate relief Of tho destitute
sufferers from the food. For the last two or
three days these helpless people have
been coming to the city In boats
single rswboat often containing an entire family.
with such household effects as could be quickly
gathered together At the meeting last night
money was freely subscribed to provide provisions
and clothes to be delivered today north and south
of Quincy, In charge Of citizens relief committees
It Is probable that the State will be called upon
to furnish tents for the people out of houses, who
are now chartered in the barns sheds and corn
cribs of farmers on the highlands II the distress
proves as widespread as is reported there will
also be an appeal to the citizens of the State foe
contributors of money The first loss of human
life was reported this morning There have been
a number Of narrow escapes from drowning In
efforts to rescue stock.
Fayetteville Ark, May ls-It has rained in
cessantly for the last thirty-six hours and the
White River, usually q peaceful stream, is now
FIVE miles wide. Severe lightning has also pre-
vailed In one or two instances doing damage to
washout was reported on the Frisco
Railway, near Winslow
Alma, Ark, May $3.50 quick WAS the risc
from the Big Frog Clear Creek, that the people
were forced from their homes and some were
compelled to swim for their lives Many women
and children are standing on the tops OF houses
crying for help with the water ten feet deep
around them and still rising. 1t Is feared that
several lives have been lost