The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1890-04-05
THE SKIPWITH CREVAsSE.
[NTayersville speetator.l

MayersVllle SPECTATOR
Had the eFeyasse its origin ON the
river front instead of being in the
suburban parts, few if any of the resi-
dents would have escaped with their
lives. The only hope for safety was
to mount the leYee and many ladies
and gentlemen struggled to reach them
with the swelling torrent, on arriving,
up to their shoulders. The warehouse
of w. 5. Laehs Il Co., was destroyed
by fire and several residences swept
away. AT an astonishing speed, the
muddy water Is spreading over the
vast improved and cultivated lands
and forests of our planters, many of
whom would haye been at the expira-
tion of another week through with
their planting. 1t is no longer ques-
ton OF suspense as to whether we will
escape the ravages of an overflow I; the
handwriting is ON the wall, and for .
time at least nine-tenths of the county
will be covered with water. All are
now able to see in their minds eye the
bad results to follow as sure as the
night the day. Stock and worldly ac-
acmulations that can be transported
are now being hurried to the front by
those who had not taken precautiona-
ry steps; this town has anything but
a pleasant appearance and before many
hours the merciless waters which are
now upon us, win be everywhere it
is reckoned that the greatest depth the
waters will attain in the town, will be
one foot and not more than two at
best, and the dwellings, many of them
being neat with broad verandas, en-
powered in foliage, vines and flowers,
and surrounded with sweetest fra
GRANGE, will be damaged very little.
Between this place aud the crcvasse
the leyee presents to person with
kindly feelings and sober thought a
terrible sight which must grow great
er in the future If substantial aid and
speedy relief does not come. AT every
step the colored laborer, his family
and his all are found, almost destitute
arrayed in faded garments that have
seen their best days, and affords them
but little comfort and no protection
from the bowling March winds: for
shelter they have nothing but the can
opy OF heaven aud the night dews in
pity must weep as they fall. We
are sorry for this, and they are
deserving of help and encourage
ment; during the period when our
town was thought doomed to destruc-
ton they readily responded to our ap-
peal for assistance from far and wide,
no matter how dark the night or
binding the rain, at the risk Of their
lives, and for us to fold our arms and
do nothing to assist them to keep the
wolf from their fold, would show that
we are ungrateful and do not deserve
the name of men. Let not this be said
Of us by those who have always used
strong influences to keep colored peo-
pie away from this county, and if pos
sible make farming here a failure.
The cry of distress will soon be heard
If we are dilatory and we should not
delay. Tents are needed and if they
are not forthcoming many will die
from exposure; food will soon be
needed aud if not provided suffering
untold will be the consequence. We
doubt not that relief will come, and
that all that can be done will be done
to stop the break which is increasing
in width and depth hourly and is now
600 feet.