Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06


the surrounding country is flooded. Ihe
destruction of property is already enormous,
and it is feared that much loss of life Will
result
GREENv1LLE. Miss, April B. The
levee which has so long been in great dan
ger of breaking at Catfish Point, near
the Connolly plantation, in Bolivar
county, about 20 miles by land
above Greenville, gave way Yesterday
morning, and from the latest reports re-
ceived the crevasse is from 1,7OO to
1,S00 feet wide and increasing The levee
there isvery sandy and the wash will be
great.
Washington avenue, the main business
street, is now one sheet of water from the
corner of Poplar street to the race track
and water is making its way over the side
walks into the stores. The water is
coming up through the floor of Moore
s. Archer's drugstore; Normus Bros,
Garrison, jackson ard Hennings' furnl-
ture establishments have got nearly half
a foot of water on the floors. A great many
people had to vacate their residences to
seek higher quarters on account OF the sud-
den rise.
SECURING A REFUGE.
All the bitches and other channels lead
ing to the southern high portion of the town
are being damned up to preserve the ridge
situated between Washington and Central
avenues from being flooded, as this spot will
perhaps in few DAYS be the only available
piece of land where the many horses, mules,
cattle, ETC., could be congregated and kept
out of the water until the flood falls.
Parties who arrived here to-day from
Greenwood-the greater part OF their jour
ney being made in skiff-describe the sit
nation in the Sunfower lowlands as
terrible sight to be looked upon.
is spreading over the vast improved
and cultivated farms and forests of our
planters, many OF whom are nearly through
with their planting. Tents are badly need
ed BY the colored people. The levee presents
to person with kindly feelings and sober
thought a terrible sight, which must grow
greater in the future.
EXPOSURE WILL CAUSE DEATH.
For shelter the people have nothing but
the canopy of Heaven, and the night dews
in pity must weep as they fall. Ii no as
sistance comes to these people, many will
die from exposure. Food will soon
be needed, and if not provided
great suffering will be the consequence.
The Government officers have done great
deal OF good in that section, but as there are
other localities which are now showing
signs of approaching distress, the contribu-
tions must be divided.
AT Mound Landing, seven miles below
Catfish Point, the river fell two feet to-day,
no doubt owing to the large break which is
N q of in oh
a vertical way as has rarely been witnessed
at any break of its nature. The Lake
Washington country and its highest points
on the banks of the beautiful lake are also
rapidly disappearing out OF sight, thing
which has not been known since 1854.
GLOOMY PROSPECT.
The outlook is not hopeful for the plant
ing OF the overfowed region before May.
Just as soon as the water subsidies sufficient
ly they will, we suppose, temporarily close
breaks so that the crop may be protected
against any future rise this season. Return
ing to 1882 for comparison, the high water
this year is nearly a month later. This is
discouraging, though the situation has its
hopeful feature, too.
The highest point has not vet been
touched at Cairo but if the duration of the
flood is the true test, 1890 takes precedence
over all recent years; no year OF which We
have full record but 1882 compares with it.
For illustration, water passed above 46 at
Cairo this year, March 3, and
below that stage before April 15. Forty
three days of such a stage al Cairo is un-
precedented. In 1882 it was reached Cairo
February 20 and passed below March 81, or
lasted % days. The average of the Arkan-
sas is about the same for the two years, but
there was phenomenal food this year.
SAVING LIVES AND PROPERTY.
As soon as news OF the break at Catfish
Point reached Arkansas City the Govern
ment steamers Speed and Graham took
several barges to that point and
brought away about $50 people
and their effects, also lot of
stock. Captain Tollinger, of the Govern
ment service, is on the ground doing every
thing he can to save life and property.
Those who wish to come will be brought
here by the Government boats and placed
in quarters provided for them.
Parties who visited the scene OF the
disaster to-day state that the torrent coming
out of the opening has about spent
its force. Although this is much the
largest break that has vet occurred on
the Mississippi side. the territory
affected by it will be comparatively small.
Outside of the Catfish Point peninsula, the
water from this crevasse Will reach but little
territory that was not already inundated by
the creyasses at Mound, Huntington and
Ofuts, but the destruction of property in
this little peninsula is fearful. The plant
ers who owned the plantations around Cat
fish Point are almost ruined
HOUSES WASHED AWAY.
1t is estimated that over 100 houses have
been washed away, and there is very little
hay, corn or planting seed left. The
planters will be SO badly crippled that they
will meet with considerable difficulty in
making a crop, even if the water recedes in
time. The flood has left almost nothing
The whole bend was filled with water as
high as that In the river within few hours
after the break occurred.
To-day the back-water broke through the
levee at Eutaw Landing at the lower end
of the bend and it is now running back into
the river. 1t is thought that several lives
were lost.