The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-24
SPREAD OF THE FLOOD.
THOUSANDS OF PEoPLB DRIVEN
FROM THEIR HOMES.

erby from DSStructlon-WO Ork OF the
Relief Boats on thu Mississippi.
OrTUMwA, IA. May 23.-At Eddyville
fifty families have been driven from their
houses, and the entire town is in imminent
danger. The Mississippi is rapidly backing
up into Des:Moines, and no amount of fall
above can help Ottumwa until the waters
in the Mississippi recede. When
the old ferry house went out
it struck the approach to the new wagon
bridge in process of erection and carried
away $50 feet Of it, thus completely cutting
off connections between two parts of the
city. With the swollen condition OF the
stream it will be impossible to repair the
breach for days. In South Ottumwa the
river is rapidly cutting into the
principal streets. So desperate has become
the condition Of the people in this city that
yesterday every pulpit here sent up prayers
for cessation Of the flood. Fifty armed
citizens cut the levee at this point yesterday
TO save their property from destruction,
which they judged would otherwise follow
from the continually increasing flood As
the cutting was calculated to injure
the property of the water company
1t was ne cessary to carry out the work at
the point of the pistol and this the citizens
did. The city marshal was appealed to by
the company, but he was powerless The
water company's superintendent endeav-
ored TO check the mea in their intention,
but withdrew when revolver was leveled
at his head. The dixie was soon opened in
three places, allowing the water to escape.
AWFUL DEsTITUTIoN.
PINE BLUFF, ARK, May %, 10 p. M.-The
destituuon among the flood sufferers, white
as well as black, between Little Rock and
the mouth is appalling. This city aud
its vicinity are filled with thousands Of
refugees. The cotton crop all along
the river is totally destroyed, and it is hard
to tell on what the farmers will live this
summer. The government boat c. B. Reese
arrived here this evening from the upper
river, where she supplied 800 half
famished people on seventeen different
landings with provisions furnished by the
citizens of Little Rock. Hundreds OF peo-
pie were taken along and put off on dry
places. At Eagles landing 120 people were
found living in three houses. Two men
were seen drowning by the crew and four
were rescued from housetops, where they
had for hours found refuge.
A report reached here tonight from the
government steamer Wichita sent to the
lower river with provisions by Pine Bluff
citizens. Six hundred and fifty more peo-
pie were fed and rescued from their perilous
positions.
The town of Auburn is flooded, owing to
a break In the Brunson leves. Rich planta-
tions at Bankhead, Greenbauk and Swan
Lake are entirely submerged. and planters
refuse further supplies to their hands.
An urgent appeal for assistance was sent
here for Sheriff.. At a mass meeting here
81, 900 was subscribed in an hour
The t1otIlla Of government boats is con-
tinually on the river. bringing succor TO
the helpless victims of the flood. The river
fell 2 inches to-day.
AN IMPORTANT LEvEE BREAKS
NEW ORLEANS, LA, May GA crevasse
occurred at 8 O'Clock last night on the
Fesier place, three miles below College
Point This is egarded as the most serious
break that has 30 far occurred in the levees
OF the Mississippi this season. The water
from it will overflow a large part Of st.
John the Baptist parish and greatly damage
the Mississippi Valley railroad. The levee Is
about eight feet high, but seventy-five feet
back from the bank line and the bateau is
free from willows or other growth to lessen
the current OF the inflow. The crevasse was
caused by crRwfisn hole. At 10 o'clock
last night the break was forty feet wide.
About 100 men have been collected from
neighboring places, and Judge Ross, who
owns Hester, one mile above, has sent his
whole plantation force to the scene. There
is no material on hand, however. and it IL
hardly possible that anything can be done.
Aid is being telegraphed for in every
direction.
10000 ACRES FLOODED.
OZARK, ARK. May 23.-Reports from
Mulberry, White Oaks and Altus show that
at least &c, 900 acres Of the best farm land in
Franklin county are covered with water to |
depth of from six inches to six feet.
1t Is now settled that the cotton acreage in
this county will be reduced 80 per cent.
Hundreds of families are homeless, and but
for the kindness Of neighbors would now be
starving. The lowest estimate of the loss is
100000, and the highest $3.50, 900
GOV. BoIEs TO APPEAL FOR AID.
SIOUX CITY, IA, May 23.-Gov. Boies
arrived here to>day in response to the re-
quest of the relief committee, and after In |
vsstigating the flooded district resolved to |
issue proclamation inviting the pc ople of |
Iowa and the country generally to con- |
tribute for the relief OF the destitute people. |
The proclamation will be sent out from Des |
Moiues tomorrow, and will state that $780, |
600 is needed for this purpose. Two more |
bodies were recovered this morning.
500 wATERBoUND.
LITTLE Rock, ARE, May ga telegram |
from Cestoria, thirty miles from this city, |
says that 800 men, women and children |
are waterbound and asks that boat be sent |
to their rescue. The relief committee for |
warded a carload OF provisions this morning |
by special train to the nearest point on the |
valley railroad, whore q steamboat will be |
in waiting to receive supplies and distribute |
them TO the sufferers.
AN APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT.
WASHINGTON, May 23-President Har- |
rison to-day received a dispatch from |
Shreveport, La, saying:
There is great desttution and suffering |
among multitude of colored people who have |
been driven from tleir homes and |
deprived of employment by the flood in
the Red river. Great numbers are now in this |
city and more will come. We earnestly appeal |
to you, and, through you, to this nation for re- |
lief and assistance. WILLIAM HARPER,
Chairman of Committee. |
a Mo-, rra,.,o ~ fr.,,.t