The sun., 1890-03-15
BATTLING WITH THE FLOOD.


and Lives In Danger.
New ORLEANS March l4.-The wind veercd
IN the north last night and blow the water
auAv from the levees. 1t fell as rapidly as II
rose. and by 8 o'clock the streets were dry
again, About noon the river again rose and
the water poured over the levee at tho sugar
landing, but not as badly as yesterday. At
night there was another ugly rise
In the mean time energetic efforts we're taken
N protect New Orleans against the threatened
danger. Tho City Council voted 100000 as an
emergency fund, and the Commissioner OF
Ppblic Works had large force OF men nut to
vork on the lcvee to-day. The Northeastern
Illinois Central, and other railroads gave aid
IN the way OF cars and men, and with their
assistance, although the water rose over six
inches above high water mark at certain points
on the river front. but little flooding occurred.
The water was over the track OF the Louis
vile and Nashville Railroad at the Girard
street depot, but not sufficiently to prevent the
running OF trains 1t was threatening. also. Mt
the northeastern wharf but active work there
prevented any injury.
A. though bad news continues to come from
ma points the sixteen miles OF levee front
ofS,w Orleans are all well guarded night and
dayv 1t Is not believed that q crevasse or
brea, in tho levee can occur The worst point
of danger Is at Carroton, where the leyee is
over fourteen feet high. and where break
would not only be damaging but dangerous to
lie.
II ia thought from present indications. that
the river is liable to rise even higher than it
did yesterday, up to seventeen and half feet.
This would be a foot over The levees. as they
now stand. and would food the city far worse
than In 1853 1t is hoped to get the low places
raised in time to prevent this. A rise OF this
kind would flood large portion Of the city
particularly the business section. and would
cause some damage In the stores. The worst
sufferers would be the poorer people. living in
the rear the city, whose houses are on ground
from three to four feet lower than the front
streets
There has been some talk OF cutting all the
levees Immediately above New Orleans to re-
lieve the water here. but this proposition is
bitterly opposed.
This morning news came Of severe break
near the convent, in ST. James parish. on this
side OF the river. sixty-flve miles above. This
shut of the Mississippi Valley Railroad from
the city. The break. however. Is not sufficient
ly large to affect the volume OF the river. and
It Is now conceded by all that there will be
considerable rise and every chance Of more
crevasses. A large number OF sacks filed with
dirt have been shipped to the plantations be-
low and the most earnest efforts will be made
10 uCIu tuo loNoo6 tuoEe, IshCu plbnboT uuS Ills
field force at work above the railroad. Parish
authorities and the planters are cooperating to
hold the levees.
An appeal was made to the Governor to use
portion Of the levee fund OF the State $lS1 900,
for the present emergency. but he has decided
that this cannot be done.
Anumber OF relief boats left here to-day
with materials both for above and below.
Boats have been warned by a Gubernatorial
proclamation against going near the shore. as
the waves from them wash the levees.
ABOUT o'clock tonight there was a good
deal OF water running through the CUTTERS and
the sidewalks were covered In some places.
The feeling here Is as dismal as it can be. Six
small crevasses occurred on the sugar coast
during the day. but they we're closed or can be
closed tonight The only troublesome breaks
now in Louisiana are two on Bayou Lafourche
and the one at Convent. the latter being $50
feet wide and flooding the plantations on the
east bank several miles down.
Mayor Shakespeare received to might check |
for $4,000 from the Louisiana Lottery Com
pany. the money to be used as an emergency
fund to raise the city levees and prevent tho
flooding Of the city.
A despatch to the States from Convent says:
Major Edwards General Manager OF the |
Louisville New Orleans and Texas Railroad, Is |
at the break. three miles above this place, with |
large force OF men. The gap Is about 100 |
feet wide and four feet deep. The levee is O
small one ana the railroad track is about a
quarter Of a mile back. over which tho water
Is now about ten inches deep. Both the ex-
press and local down trains are on the upper
side OF the break, and this mornings up train
is expected to return here to the CITY,"
despatch received tonight by the Misss-
SlpDi Valley Railroad says the break was caused
by a rice hume. The levee was new and four
feet above the present water. Both ends of the
break have been secured and men are at work
closing it They will probably get it closed by
tomorrow night
CAIRO, March 14-The river has fallen one
tenth OF a foot since o'clock this morning and
now registers 4S.3 feet. The width OF the river
at the mouth OF the Ohio from dry land to dry
land Is estimated at about fifteen miles. and
this vast body OF water at present is slowly re-
cedlng Prominent river men also say danger
from the food will lie south Of this point. and
not affect Cairo to any extent The levees
here have been raised to 1fty-flve feet and
strengthened during the past five years. and
the present flood will not have any effect upon
them. The highest water known hero was in
l'SS sSv when @ the river reached q ~ 2,l1 feet.
Pierre Creek on the Nalchez. jackson and
llarrstQwn. was washed away by the food last
night. Pearl River at this place is higher than
ever before known. The city toll bridge, an
hon STRUCTURE, and the bridge OF the Alabama
end ana Vieksburg Railroad is safe 30 far. 1t s
, MEMrHIs, March 14-Passengers on the
Louisville. New Orleans and Texas Railroad,
on the train leaving New Orleans last night
and arriving here This morning. were treated
10 novel scenes along tho road. The low lands
and lagoons in the Mississippi delta arc Hooded
until he dry and visible is the ri go on which
u sne t track runs. and lew rromontorcs
Mwtose black cTests protrude above the wa'er
here and there These places AFFORD shelter for
pundreds OF SQUIRRELS anu small game. driven
20 % hem BY the Hood. Huts and cabins in the
water. Tied at their doors are skiiHs and dug :
outs which artord the occupants their only (
means OF transit from one place TO another
The railroad embankment 10 still IL or Is feet
lhoye water and in no way In danger. 7
p Along tho line OF the Memphis and Little d
Rock ltailroad as far as McCalley's Ridge. the '
'ams state 4 affairs exists Unless the waters '
N Missi sippl and Arkansas receds more | I