Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-03-05
DANGER SOUNDED.
Alarming State Of Affairs on the
Lower Mississippi.
FLOODS ROLLING DOWN TO THE SEA.
foundations Expected From Memphis to
New Orleans-Aid From Congress Inn
perative-LocaI Resources Used Up
over Last Years Fight.

New ORLEANS, March 2.-Concerning
the condition of the levee and the un-
easy feeling produced along the lower
Mississippi by the continued rising Of
the river, the following information has
been received. Col. c. E. Wright, editor
of the Vicksburg Commercial, says:
''The high stage of water from Cairo to
the gulf creates uneasiness throughout
this section. Another rise in the Ohio
and accompanied with one from the
Arkansas would put the levees to
a severe strain, especially the new
work just completed or in process of
completion. The local levee boards
expended last spring large sums of
money to protect the levee and last fall
in repairing breaks in them caused by
the overflow of last year. The people
in this section earnestly hope that the
S, ZOO, 900 emergency bill passed by the
house and now pending in the senate
will be passed before congress ad-
iourns, so as to make this sum avail
able in case of need, as the local levee
boards are not as strong financially as
they were last spring"
A telegram from Capt. Lambert, for
many years editor of the Natchez Dem
ocrat, says: THE situation of river
matters along the lower Mississippi just
now is quite critical. While the water
in sight does not appear to be sufficient
to cause a flood of the height attained
last year, yet the indications now are
for rains through considerable portion
of the valley, and if they should occur
it is probable that the floods of last
year would be equaled the present sea-
SON. Many of the tributaries of the
lower river are bank full and even or
dinary rains affect them. All the
water that they pour into the river
increases the danger to that extent
and there is no telling what the final
results will be. The levees are not
really in so good condition as they were
at this time last year, and there is a
constant fear of their giving way under
the pressure at many points along the
line. There is every reason now why
| congress should come to the relief of
the people of the Mississippi valley and
make prompt and liberal appropriations
for the leveeS. Not only the property
of the people, but their lives as well,
are dependent upon maintaining the
levees, and this can only be done by the
national government coming TO their
| assistance"
The Louisville, New Orleans & Texas
railroad having suffered great damage
by the overflow last season, Mr.. Il. +.
Reynolds, commercial agent of the COM
pany, was interviewed concerning the
| outlook lie said: 81 have been in
communication by wire with all points
between this city and Memphis, and
the conclusion arrived at is that the
present condition of the Mississippi
river and tributaries threatens a disas-
trous overflow from Memphis to New
| Orleans. The main river as well as the
| tributaries are higher than at this date
last year.
The greatest apprehension is felt by
all living in the Mississippi valley, and
if immediate help was given by con-
gress many millions of dollars worth
of property could be saved.
"'The planters and people have not
been idle, but seeing the great danger
that threatens their lands and homes
have done and are doing all their MEANS
limited by their last years misfortune,
will admit The hard fight of 1890 is
now being repeated with the river higher
than last year and still rising. at an
alarming rate. A repetition of the de-
vastation and disaster of 1890 will
mean a loss of millions to the states of
Arkansas. Mississippi and Louisiana
and to the country.