The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-05-26
THE MISSISSIPPI FLOODS.
Thousands of Acres of Farming Land
Submerged.


Ark, saws: The hardest rains for many
years have been falling in Arkansas in the
last two days and the streams are all overflow
ed. Immense cotton fields and corn bottoms
are overfowed, and the country is suffering 9
general inundation. So quick was the rise
from the Big Frog Clear Creek that the peo
pIe were forced from their homes, and some
were compelled TO swim for their lives
MANY women and children were standing OIL
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.
Above and below Quincy are over 100 mile;
of levees for the protection OF fully 29O, 0Ot
acres of land, the most productive farming
lands in the valley. On Sunday morning the
first break occurred in one of these great
entertainments, known as the Indian Grove
Levee. During the day two other crevasses
were made, and within few hours thousands
of acres of winter wheat, that promised q
yield'of from 40 to go bushels to the acre,
were laid waste. The farmers had been
working on the embankment night and day III
the hope of saving their homes, and when the
flood came majority of them had barely
time to save their families, so sudden and
overwhelming was the onrush of the torrents.
Outside the embankment was the great river,
a solid body of water 20 feet deep, and, as
soon as a crevasse was made, poured through
the opening with roar that could be heard
long distance. Every moment increased
the width of the crevasse and the great flood
that was to carry destruction in its pathway.
Thrifty homes were deserted on moment s
notice from riders who were sent out to give
warning of the danger, in many cases the
people being obliged to leave everything and
iiy to the bluffs or seek safety i'll boats. On
Monday the Sny Carte levee, an emhankment
commencing Just below Quincy and extending
south distance of "a miles, gave way between
Hannibal and Louisiana, and the scenes en-
acted the day previous were repeated and IN
tensifed. Early in the week the Alexandria
leYee, 80 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 to the high
bluffs in Missouri The scene of desolation
between Quincy and Hannibal is simply pitt
able. What was few days ago fertile
valley teeming with abundant crops is a vast
expanse of water deserted by every living
thing. Hundreds of men, women and chill
dren are gathered on the bluffs in small
groups. desolate, forlorn and despairing.
MANY of them are utterly destitute, having
neither sufficient clothing nor shelter and
some suffering for food, despite the bravery oil
more 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
has been anticipated.
Communication to the West from this city
naI hnIn nnnpr
water. In this city factories and warehouses
along the river are seriously embarrassed and
large buildings are being gradually undermine
ed by the rushing waters. Last evening a
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 people have been coming to the
city in boats, single rowboat often contain.
ing an entire family, with such household
effects as could be quickly gathered together.
For ten DAYS it has rained steadily to add to
the suffering. At the meeting last night
money was freely subscribed to provide pro-
visions and clothing to be delivered to-day
north and south OF Quincy in charge OF citi-
zens' relief committees.
The flood in this district gives no signs OF
abatement The decline OF an inch and
half here up to o clock this morning was
due solely to the relief afforded by the num-
erous breaks i'll the two levees, which per-
mitted vast lakes of water to overflow the ba-
sins. Since that, however, the river has been
on a stand, and further rise is certain. 1t
is possible, in the judgment of experienced
river men, that the high-water mark OF oil VIII
be passed before the climax is reached. The
situation among the people suffering from this
disaster is practically unchanged since yester-
dav. Relief crews from this city have been
sent in all directions, and the people on the
bluffs will be cared for. Their immediate ne
cessities will be at once supplied by boat loads
ofprovisions, and citizens here are subscribing
liberal sums of money and boxes OF clothing
to be forwarded as soon as the location OF the
distressed refugees is determined. They are
in especial need for feed for their stock, hun
dreds of which are huddled together on the
entertainments, and only partially fed by the
citizens among WHOM the sufferers have taken
refuge. :,
1t is probable the State will be called upon
to provide tents for the people out OF houses,
who are now quartered in the barns, sheds
and corn cribs Of farmers on the highlands.
If the distress proves as widespread US is re-
ported there will also be an appeal to the
citizens of the State at large for contributions
of money. The first loss of human life was
reported this morning. Before, there had
been number of narrow escapes from drown
ing in efforts to rescue stock.
SPRINGFIELD, No., May lS.-From Fayett-
Vile. Ark, comes a report that it has raIned
necessarily there for the last thirtysix hours,
and that the White River, usually a peaceful
stream, is now rushing torrent five miles
wide. Severe lightning has also prevailed IN
one or two instances, doing damage TO prop
erty. No report has yet been received from
the lowlands away from the railways, and the
exact damage cannot be figured. a washout
is reported on the Frisco Railway, near Wins
low. $50 miles south Of this city.
RAILROADS. BLocKADED.
81. LOUIS, May 1S.-A special from Keo-
kuk says: There was very slight decline OF
water late yesterday, but the RAIN that set IN
Yesterday at = O'Clock served to keep 1t at a
standstill. Measurements recently taken
show the stage OF the water to be within less
than foot of the great rise of 1851. The
railroads are all blockaded and will not be
able to resume for week, even should the
worst of the food be over. No further dam
age is reported from the village OF Alexan-
dria.
QUINCY. ILL, May 21.-The great flood in
the Mississippi, which will be remembered as
without precedent in the destruction and
suffering created, is slowly abating, and it is
thought that the worst of the high water is
passed. Hundreds of families have been rem.
dered homeless, and thousands of acres OF
growing crops ruined, to say nothing of the
loss entailedby demolished dwellings, wrecked
fences and washouts. A trip through the
submerged 81 regiOt The -', aepi s,SE anan
been exaggerated
northern end Of y
end of Pike count
side of the river was