The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-04-12
FLOOD OF DEATH.
Life and Property Swept Away by
the Raging Tombigbee.
A DEATH LIST WHICH ALREADY
NUMBERS FIFTY.

and Telegraph Wires Down-scenes of
Devastation Witnessed by the Associated
Press Correspondent-The Authorities
Taking Prompt Measures for Relief.
COLUMBUS, Miss, April 1.-THE last
four days have been the most distressing
this section has ever experienced.
Wednesday morning the Tombigbee
river, already full, began rising rapidly.
By Thursday morning all the low lands
were submerged, the river having risen
IA feet that night. 1t continued to rise
all that day, and by Friday morning the
river was seven feet higher than was ever
known before. Black and Luxpilla
Creeks joined their waters with the Tom
bigbee, and Columbus was then literally
an island, with five miles of water in ev-
cry direction. There has been great loss
of life and an immense amount of prop
erty destroyed. Fourteen negroes were
drowned within few miles of this place.
A low estimate puts the loss at so in this
county. Up to this time no whites have
been reported drowned. The flood has
carried destruction in all directions.
Hundreds of homes have been swept
away, miles and miles of fences de-
stroyed and the loss of mules and cattle
is fearful. The river and creeks rose so
rapidly that great number of people
were
Aroused from Their Slumbers
by the rush of water through their
houses, and of course could save moth
ing 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 be-
gan their labors of mercy. Hundreds
were saved and brought to this city, and
are now being cared for by the citizens.
There are no less than 900 homeless ne
groes here now being sheltered and fed
by the city and county. The loss has
been so great and the belt SO extended
that the mayor of the city and the presi-
dent of the board of supervisors have
telegraphed Hon. John Allen, asking
him to appeal to the federal government
FOR aid. Great damage has been done
the road beds and trestling of the Mobile
& Ohio and Georgia Pacific roads. The
wires Were down in all directions. The
correspondent, in company with Mr.. E.
G. .Shott, manager of the Western Union
telegraph office at this place, rowed four
miles in boat, with the hope of being
able to repair the wires and let the world
know
Something of the Destruction
that had been wrought in this section by
the unprecedented floods. On that ride
the most terrible destruction was wit
messed. Houses, cattle, corn cribs and
furniture were being carried away by
the raging water. Several of the rescl1-
ing parties had narrow escape. Col.
Baldwin, prominent attorney of this
city, and Mr.. VIM. johnson, were out
early and continued their work all day,
and in their eagerness to save they over
loaded their boat. After going a short
distance their boat was caught in swift
current and overturned and three occu-
pants were drowned, Messrs. Baldwin
and johnson and four of the negroes
succeeded in reaching trees and fences,
and were rescued at midnight after being
in the water six hours.
Later information will doubtless show
greater loss of life and property along
the banks of the Tombigbee river.