Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-11
ToMBIGBEE RIVER ON a RISE.

Representative :Allen Requested by Missis-
sippi Constituents TO Seek Federal Aid.
COLUMBUS, Miss, April 1.-THE last four
days have been the most distressing this seo-
tion has ever experienced. Wednesday morn
ing the Tombigbee river, already full, began
rising rapidly. BY Thursday morning al the
lowlands were submerged, the river having
risen fourteen feet that night IL continued to
rise all that DAY and by Friday morning it wss
sc ven feet higher than was ever known before
Black and Luxahilla creeks Joined their waters
with the Tombigbes and the Columbus wss
then literally an island with five miles of water
in every direction. There has been great loss
OF life, an immense amount OF property de-
stroyed- Fourteen negroes we're drowned
| within few miles Of this place.
A low estimate puts the loss at ffty In this
county. Up TO this time no whites have been
reported drowned. The aood has carried de-
struction in all directions Hundreds of homes
have been swept away, miles and miles Of
fences destroyed and the loss OF mules and
cattle is fearful The river and creeks rose 50
rapidly that a great number of people were
aroused from their slumbers by the rushing
waters through their houses and OF courss
| saved nothing Of their household effects
As soon as the extent OF the flood was known
the city government had a great number Of
boats made and rescuing parties began their
labors Of mercy. Hundreds were saved and
brought to this city and are now being cared
for by the citizens. There no less than 600
homeless negroes here now being sheltered and
fed by the city and county jointly.
The loss has been 30 great and the belt 90 ex-
tended that the mayor Of the city and the pres-
ident OF the board Of supervisors have tele-
graphed Representative John Allen, asking
him TO appeal 10 the federal government for
aid. Great damage has been done the road
beds and trestllng Of the Mobile and Ohio and
Georgia Pacific roads. The latter road has i've
miles OF track washed away between here and
Naverly. and there are several washoun on
the Mobile and Ohio between here and Artcsia.
This road has run no trains here since Mednes-
day.
For two days the Georgia Pacific did moth
ing. but they got q train through from Bir-
mingham yesterday. The wires were down in
ali directions The correspondent in company
with Mr.. Z. G. Shot, manager of the Western
Union Telegraph Office at zhis place. rowed four
miles In a boat with the hope Of being able to
repair the wires and let the world know some
thing Of the destruction that had been wrought
Ia this section by the unprecedented foods.
On that ride the most terrible destruction was
witnessed Houses, cattle, corncribs and fur
niture were being carried away by the raging
watera Several Of the rescuing parties had 4
narrow escape. Col Baldwin, q prominent
attorney OF this city, and Mr.. VIM johnson
were out early and continued their good work
all day, and IN their sAgerness 70 save they
overloaded their boat
After going q short distance their boat was
caught IN a swift current and overturned and
three occupants were drowned. Messrs. Bald
win and johnson and four Of the negroes sue
ceeded in reaching trees and were rescued AZ
midnight after being in their perilous condi-
ton for six hours.
Later information will doubtless show grsster
loss of life and property all along the banks Of
the Tombigbee. The waters have rscsdsd sax
feet having fallen since yesterday morning.
FLOODS IN NDIANA AID uLrHosS
vIscExNEs, IxD., April lL-Ths wsbash
river, which has been rising several days II
now seventeen feet in the channel and i utaii
going mp. The Low bottoms are Inundated.
Much damage hes been done to bridges sud
fences. Farmers are getting their stock 70 high
ground 70 save ik Crops In the lowlands are
ruined.
vIHoIsIA. LIZ, April 1.-The lowlands along
the Illinois snd Sangamon rivers sre com
pletely flooded and both rivers are still rising.
At Beardstowp the Illinois 10 fvs miles vide.
Both rivers are above their high water marks
for the last ten years and no small damage has
been dops he growing crops in The sansanoa
valley.