The sun., 1890-04-23
LOUISIANA UNDER WATER.
FIFTEEN BREAKS IN THE LETEEs DEL
UGE THE LOW LANDS

NEW ORLEANS, April 22.-The flood situa-
tion here has changed rapidly for the worse
during the last twenty -four hours, and the con-
dition OF affairs was never Eoomier or moro
threatening than at present. For the last three
days tho crest OF the great wave in the Missis-
sippi has been passing from Vicksburg down.
The most extraordinary efforts were made to
hold the levees against the high water. A largo
sum was raised here by subscription for this
purpose. A eveo relief boat was sent out to
the scene OF danger with supplies. material.
and men. At Pointe Couree and West Baton
RouGe 5000 men have been at work for several
days strengthening the leveee. and between
here and Bayou Sara probably 10000 men have
been trying to hold the limo OF dykes.
The Federal Government through the Secre-
tary OF War gave literally toward the mainto-
nance and support Of the Pointe Coupoe levoes.
and Major Kingman. United States engineer,
in charge OF this district was stationed at Nor
gansea. the largest and most important levee in
the Mississippi valley. The rain and wind
storm which came on yesterday. coupled with
the high water. were too much for these prop
arations, and in the past twenty-fou hours no
less than fifteen breaks have occurred.
The first was at Bayou Sara town OF 1000
people, l60 miles above here The whole pop
ulation had been working for weeks on the
levees. but the Mississippi was too much
and swept them away. Tho water rose
at once to the first floors Of the
stores and houses, put a stop to all business.
and com PEELED an abandonment OF the town
by the greater part OF the population.
An ugly break followed at Myrtle Grove
plantation, forty miles below the city. on the
plantation OF Congressman Wilkinson. and one
that 1t is scarcely possible to close. Since then
news OF new crevasse comes In every hour
or 30. number Of other breaks. but OF
smaller extent, are reported at St. Sophie.
Jesut's Bend. and Pointe- ala Hache. This
morning a crevasse occurred at the Martinez
place. ten miles below Baton Rouge, to whi ch
relief was Mt once sent but 1t Is not thought
the break can be closed.
But tho greatest disaster occurred later to-
day. when the Morgansea levee gave way.
This news naturally caused the greatest con-
sternation, because Morgansea protects O large
portion OF southern Louisiana. 1t is one Of
tho finest levoes on the Mississippi. with 900
foot base and from fifteen to thirty feet high.
constructed jointly by the United States and
the State OF Louisiana. 1t cost nearly $780,
600. So important point was it that Major
Kingman, in command OF this district. was
sent there 10 watch the levees himself. and
10000 WAS given to its maintenance and de-
fence by the Secretary OF War.
The break will severely affect Pointo Coupee.
West Baton Rouge Ibervle St. Landry. As
sumption, St. Martins. st. Mary. Iberia. and
Terrebonne parishes Some $500 or 5000
square miles, with be.ween 10000 and $4,000
Inhabitants. will be moro or less affected By
the overflow. Much Of this is low swampy land.
not under cultivation. but large portion Of it
is highly cultivated and among the most pro-
ductive lands in the State. particularly the
Teche country. The loss will be heavy, as the
country affected Is planted In sugar cane and
similar crops. which are Destroyed by over
flow il under water ten days. The amount OF
the loss will depend upon the duration OF the
hood. but it will certainly amount well up In
Back OF this levee; particularly in Pointe Con-
pee, West Eaton Rouge. and 1herville there
II ara on hS Tdfes 70 .5
Under water. and the police Jury Of Ponte
Coupee has telegraphed 10 the Governor ask
boats to rescue the, Ieoplo, Of tho inundated
district; otherwise there will he heavy loss OF
arranGements ana the Arthur Lambert with
several barges. was ordered by, telegraph from
baton k3uge Other boats VIII be sent iT2m ba
transfer boat OF the Texas. and Pacific Railroad.
tho Wheolock, will also be used in reseui9g
tie people. The Morganse8 leyee broke In
1874 and again in 1884 when the Unite cd States
and the State OF Lou siana codperated to erect
one Of the finest and strongest levees on the
Iesdss M2rGnnsoH two other breaks OS- &C.
CURED on the "n's so oSupSS Svd 9Vee one
other iEht miles above No MoEGsenYsea r 1t is
feared. how"yer that oil the the R9IntS Edon, ,CoIpee
to tho Federal Government Tor assistance. be-
It could MOI relieve all the distress. The NmeS-
Democrat calls upon the Federal Govsrnment
to take OF the Cannot as Is
dykes OF sufficient size or m al ntain them prop
ery 50 70 prevent 0yIroTing tbn gnnmv
been increased by the flooding OF the rear OF
the State by hack. wator from Lake Pontchar-
lime ago The east winds that have prevailed
since sunday drove the w1lYr from tho Gull OF
Ms0 no te the Ns S@%s TO
fifth OF the whole vol inc OF the Mississippi.
has raised tho hood ey1l , OF L ne Ia lakes. h and
hs ths %VtSf sve.s along The ANA overowed tho roar
OF The, city. West, Ind and Spanish Fort, the
last night. The wator, spreading, toward the
city lady oyert'owed tho truck farms at
ard. ard Orleans, Toulouse. st. Paris and other
streets were under water, the latter reaching |
ns far as arss stTeS oSd Ihls ba9weEs ,S was
severe and continuous east winds ceased tie
water receded 1t is liable. however. to rise
Tile lie railroads centrnG at New Orleans have
suffered sEyHtsy d by ~ T.xns nooas phs Louis
% new weeE y by the Nta The
Illinois Central was stopned last week by tho
sane break Yhs dos 1pd RON Sfshvlf S0m
eartrain, but will be all right in few days.
with the Iraflic OF the Texas Pacific. and tho |
New Orleans and Gull is ,r severely afflicted by
here has suffered in consequence. and State |
and similar securities foil to-day.
Midm,CiL-The rain and wind which have
prevailed here for two days .pnst. causing a
number OF creyasses. ceased tonight and no
The force Of the river however Was Ms sntrlcien, to
That at the Morgansca IL, now 45O feet wide |
and % feet deep. That Gt Myrtle Grove is 600 |
feet wide aud will seriously nluro a half dozen of
tho finest sugar planta ions in the State. Ths |
Martinez break in East Baton Rouge parish
has boon secured and It is thought 1t can be !
closed but there is little prospect with the
others.
Three steamboats, with n number OF barg4s
ha' Q been sent to Ponte Coupee t9 rescue the |
danger. While it is admitted that the loss to-
day will amount to millions, the situation to,
night Is a little more hopeful. 1t Is thought |
that the worst has passed and that r there VII
be few. II any. more crovAsses. The Hood In |
New Orleans, due to backwater from the lake, |
is receding. 1t has caused no great loss.