The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-03

ing until our heads were crushing against
the roof. 1t was death to. remain, SO
raised window, and, one by one placed
my darlings on some driftwood, trusting to
the Great Creator. AS liberated the last
one, my sweet little boy, he looked at me
and said:
MAMMA, YOU ALWAYS TOLD ME
that the Lord would care Tor me; will He
look after me now?' l saw him drift away
with his loving face turned toward me,
and with prayer on my lips for his de-
liverance he passed from sight forever.
The next moment the roof crashed in and
/ iloated outside to be rescued fifteen hours
later from the roof OF a house in Kearns-
vile. II l could only find one of my
darlings, l could bow to the will OF God.
But they are all gone. have lost every
thing on earth now, but my life, and will
return to my old Virginia home and lay
me down for my last great stop"
A handsome woman, with hair as black
as ravens wing, walked through tho
depot where dozen or moro bodies were
awaiting burial. Passing from one to an
other, she finally lifted the paper covering
from the face of woman, young and with
traces OF beauty showing through the stains
OF muddy water. With a cry OF anguish,
she reeled backward, to be caught by a
rugged man, who Glanced to be passing.
In a moment or so she had calmed her
self sufficiently to take one more look at
the features OF her dead. She stood gag
ing at the unfortunate rs ii dumb Finally,
turning away with another wild burst OF
grief, she said: "And her beautiful hair
all matted and her sweet face 80 bruised
aud stained with mud and water"
The dead woman was the sister Of the
mourner. The body was placed In a coffin
few minutes later and sent away to its
narrow house. These incidents are but
samples OF the scenes familiar to every
turn in this stricken city.
THE LOSS or LIFE Is SIMPLY DREADF VI.
The most conservative people declare
that the number will reach 5000 The
streets have been full Of men carrying
bodies TO various places. where they await
identification, since morning, and the
work has only just begun. Every hour oil
so the forces Of men working on the vari'
Gus heaps OF debris find numbers OF bodies
buried in the mud and wreckagc. 1t il
believed that when the flames are extin-
guished in the wreckage at the bridge, and
the same is removed, that hundreds o.
victims will be discovered. In fact, this
seems certain, rs dozens OF bodies have
already been found on the outskirs OF the
huge mass OF broken timber.
Reports from outside points are also ap'
palling. Up to o'clock tonight $50 bodies
had been embalmed at Nineyah, and there
is report that 200 more have been dis
covered half buried in the mud on an
island between New Florence and lhC
place named. At the Fourth Ward school
house over 100 victims have been laid ou
for Identification. In many cases the,
have been recognized while in many NOR,
the tabs bear the simple word unknown. .
Shocking sights have become 80 common
that they have lost their terrors, and III,
finding OF body hero and there attracts
little or no attention from the great crowd
that constantly line the river banks ant
crowd all other accessible places. As thii
Is being written hundreds and hundreds
OF homeless men, women and children ar,
sLEEriNo oS THE NILS
and under tents that were sent from Pitts
burg and other places about the country
The Pennsylvania Railway has sue
cccded In getting track through 10 th'
city, and provisions enough TO meet al
immediate wants have arrived. Adjulant
General Hastings isin charge Of the police
and the various relief corps here are doinI
elegant work for the sufferers.
Those people who were not swept ava!
or disabled are working earnestly for th,
revival Of the stricken city, but II will TAX,
months Of work 10 come anywhere near re
pairing the fearful damage, while It !
about certain that the list Of lost vii
never be made complete. The supply o
collins sent in from Pittsbu:g and oihc
points Is so greatthal the Relief commiite
lelcgraphed last evening not TO send an
more until ordered. No funds have We
been received from Philadelphia, but tn
authorities are confident that when icle
graphic communication is restored the
will get liberal contributions from tina
city. Dozens OF smallcraums have alrca1
been sent In generous amounts, and th
people are encouraged to bcliey
that all their moro prcssin
wants will be provided for.
will require several DAYS yet TO ascertain
definite idea rs to the loss Of life, but
will certainly reach up into the thousand
Every hour brings fresh evidences Of Ill
fact that the disaster cclipses anything {
the kind In the history Of the country, an
no ono can say what tho Gnal result
will be.
GENERAL ACCOUNT.