The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-06
BIG GAPSIN THELEVEES.
A MONSTER HOLE CUT IN THE
BANK AT CATFISH POINT.


The Towns of Bolivar and Greenville
Already Invaded By the Rushing
Torrert-Great Destitution Among
the Colored People at Skipwi:r.
The Government Barges at Work.
NEW ORLEANS, April 5.--A special from
Rosedale dated yesterday says: 'rhe new
levee at Catfish Point between Connelly's
and f. z. Miller's, broke at 4:30 O'Clock this
morning and the watE is now rushing in
through the gap, which is GOO feet wide.
The scene of this last mishap is about eight
miles south of Bolivar landing and compar-
atively near to the Easton crevasse. The
Catfish Point levee has been regarded with
apprehension for some time, and the news
of its collapse does not occasion any
surprise. Most of the plantations
affected were already mere or less inun-
dated by water from breaks lower down at
Easton's and Huntington. The best of the
estates in the country will be flooded to
very considerable depth. 1t is believed
that precautions have already been taken
to protect stock, and that no human lives
are endangered. TIE stream from the
break viii strike right across Lake Bolivar,
which Is now rising rapidly, some say at
the rate of four inches an hour.
BOLIVAR WILL BE FLOODED.
"The hustling little town of Bolivar near
by will probably be partially overfiowed,
although it stands on high ground. The
principal planters who viii suffer are Mai.
j. Z. Edmons, Col. Green Clay, Mrs. Myers,
j. Z. Gieuen, and w. A. Martin, the Green
place, owned by B. Franklin, Maj II. j.
Nugent, George Wade, w. w. Rife, d.
Storm, +. G. Miller and George Scott. BY
adding to the column of water from the
breaks lower down, the back country will
also be invaded and the difficulties Of the
evil will probably be increased; in fact the
main tendency of the Catfish Point break
will aggravate the mischief already done.
Every effort is being made to close the gap
which. however, is said to be widening
The river at Rosedale is falling slowly and
ali the other levees are holding welln
POURING INTO ROLLING FORK.
A dispatch from Rolling Fork, Miss, re-
ceived at a late hour last night, says: 1.-THE
water in Deer creek has risen four feet in
the last thirty-six hours, is now running
over its banks on the east side. and is still
rising at the rate of half an inch an hour.
Every foot of dry land in Rolling Fork will
o under water before morning. Passenger
train No. 7 from Memphis, due here
last night did not arrive till, this morning.
1t could go no further after reaching here
Several hours later it was turned round and
ordered back to Leland. The trainmen say
that it is impossible to get back there
there with it, as the track between
Panther Burn and Mitayuma floated off of
its bed after the train passed over it this
morning.
TRINITY RIVERS RISE.
The EicdBtne's Dallas Tex) special
says: Trinity river is overhowing its bot
toms, and much damage is resulting there
from by the drowning of stock. The dam
broke at the unfinished city water-works
above the city last night, and now the new
$1,000 engine is ten feet under water. The
new reservoir will also sustain damage to
the extent of many thousands of dollars"
GREENvILLE INVADED.
The PicdyWnc's Greenville. Miss, special
says: 1.-The levee which has SO long been in
great danger of breaking at Catfish Point,
near the Connolly plantation, in Bolivar
county, about twenty miles by land above
Greenville, gave way yesterday morning,
and from the latest reports received the
creyasse is from 200 to 1,S00 feet wide and
increasing. The levee there is very sandy,
and the wash will be bad.
The water reached Greenvile about 3
o'clock this morning, and up to this writing
has risen one foot in our streets, and is still
rising steadily. Washington avenue, the
main business street, is now one sheet of
water from the corner of Poplar street to
the race track, and the water is making its
way over the sidewalks into the stores.
Water Is coming up through the floor OF
More d Archer's drug store, and Vernius
Bros. q Garrison and Jackson & Hem
nipg's furniture establishment have nearly
half foot of water on the floors.
RESIDENCES VACATED.
IA great many people had to vacate their
residences to seek higher quarters on ac-
count OF the sudden rise. All the bitches
and other channels leading to the southern
high portion of the town are being damned
to preserve the ridge situated between
Washington and Central avenues from
being flooded, as this spot will perhaps in a
few days be the only available piece Of land
where many horses, mules, cattle. etc.,
could be congregated and kept out of the
water until the flood falls.
TERRIBLE SIGHT.
Parties who arrived here to-day from
Greenwood, the greater part of their jour
ney being made in a sESiff, describe the stu
alton in the Sunhower lowlands as terri
BILE sight. At an astonishing speed the
water is spreading over vast improved
and cultivated lands of the planters,
many of whom would have been
at the end of another week or so through
with their planting. Houses of all descrip-
tions and fences in long sections. are easily
carried away by the terrible currents, and
every conceivable household object is seen
floating down Bayou Phalia swamps. Stock
and household effects that can be trans
ported are now being hurried to the front
by those who have not taken precautionary
steps.
SHELTERLESS AT SKIPwITH.
I'm the neighborhood of Skipwith tents
are sadly needed by the colorei people.
The levee there, we are informed, presents
TO person with kindly feelings and sober
thoughts a terrible sight, which must grow
greater in the future if substantial aid
and speedy relief do not come.
AT every step the colored laborer
and his family are found most
destitute, arraye1 in garments that have
seen their best days, and which afford them
out little comfort and no protection from
the howling winds. For shelter they have
nothing but the canopy or heaven, and the
hlgnt dewS in pity must weep as they fall.
DEATH FACING THEM.
If no assistance comes to these people
many will die from expo sure. Food will
soon be needed, and if not provided great
suIIerlng will be the consequence.
Inc government officers have done a
great deal of good in that section, but as
mere are other localities which are now
showing signs Of approaching distress their
means have to be divided. Capt. Alder left
nCe III. Ia