The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-18
THE MAD MISSISSIPPI.
FEARrUL FLOODS IN MISSOURI.
Many Fields Inundated and Human LIyes
Threatened With Deatb-Railway
Travel fmpeded.

S. LOUIS. No. May 1.-THE Mississippi
river ut this CITY is higher to-day than at any
time since the disastrous food Of 1858. The
river continued to rise during the night and
at o'clock this morning the gauge registered
thirty-fve feet five inches At Alton the wa
ter Il above all previous records except the
water of l8if
An idea Of the effect of the food on the rail
ways entering the city from the Illinois side
Of the river may be gained from the follow
ing description of the situation at East ST.
Louis
Above the viaduct the Ohio and Mississippi
and Chicago. Burlington and Quincy tracks
are from one TO four feet under water. Tne
Chicago and Alton road for distance of
four miles from the bridge IS out of sight
Below the yiaduct the Louisville ard Nash
vile road was compelled 10 refuse freight
hsr night Tho Big -Four will probably
suspend to-day. and the Cairo Short Line Will
follow suit before evening. Not
wheel has moved in the Mobile and Ohio
yards for several days. fhe Belt Line yards
are three feet under water and the great
bridge Yards closed down last night. The
Chicago and Alton. Big Four. Clover Leaf and
Jacksonville route broke At the bridge June
tiou. near East N. Louis. There are but twoen-
q
are pulling all passenger trains from the relay
depot upon the Wabash track to Venice and
Chicago and Alton road 70 a point beyond
NameOka The Merchants Terminal roads
at East st. Louis have suspended traffic bs-
tween tho bridge and the National stock
yards.
A STEAMERS GOOD WORK.
The food in ST. Charles county. twenty
miles above the city, Increases In vastness
and in its disastrous results. All day yester-
day and up 10 late hour last night appeals
for help were being received from numerous
families whose homes are being sewPt
away by tho food. The Post-Dispatch,
OF this city. secured large steamer, and
manned with a double crew for day and
night duty. started Sunday morning torender
aid o. the hundreds of persons who are IN
imminent peril near the mouth OF the Mis-
souri. river. Last night the Post-Dspatch
steamer rescued twelve families from stump
Slough and SIX families from kitsac Island ne
water had driven these people 20 the roofs OF
their homes. and they had almost given mp
hope OF rescue when the steamer hove IN
sight The current IN the river was running
at a tremendous rate of speed, and the work
of saving these families was accomplished
with great difficulty The steamer Fewn,
from st. Charles. was carried by the fearful
current ont Of the regular channel of the river
and was stranded in wheat field an eighth
of mile from the river proper The POST
Dispatch boat last night. by means OF long
hawsers succeeded in getting the tawn back
into the channel
OFF FOR THE RESCUE.
4 messenger reached Alton at 5.o'clock this
morning after rowing ten miles IN skill from
an island southwest Of the mouth Of the Mis-
souri, river. lie stated there were over sixty
persons on the island. which was rapidly
being inundated. The messenger reported
that the water was already IN the hrst
| floor of mauy houses and the occupants were
| olimb biug 10 the roots OF the buildings Cn
| receipt OF this Information the Board OF lrade
| this morning abandoned It's regular business
and organized into q relief committee. They
pressed the P0st-Dispatch relief boat into SER
vice and taking on board dozen large skiiis
| started 10 rescue the islanders.
The signal service predictions to-day were
4 warning TO prepare Tor worse things yet,
and as soon as tho maps from the ofhee were
| issued the people who have interests at stake
on the river went vigorously 70 work strength
enino embankments along the low lands and
taking other precautions TO protect leyeo
| property in the city. great deal OF anxiety
is tet in regard TO the rains which are eI
pected % OyerWhelm this part OF tho country
| tonight.
DESPERATE NEGRO THRKATENfNGs.
The greatest apprehension is felt among the
residents OF East ~. Louis. The Ohio and
MISSISSIPPI fIyef emDhBhHene ~ tho ohty
thing that prevents the place from being sub
nerged The emhankment Is twenty-five feet
high and the water is now within few
inches of tho top. portion of the town OF
Brooklyn. adjoining East st. Louis on
the north side. IS covered with
water 10 the depth OF three feet. The town
contains d large negro population and they
threaten 20 cut the embsnkment. An armed
patrol guards the embankmsnt. and any At
tempt on the part of the negroes 70 cut the
dvke will be met with summary vengeance.
Armour's packng-house IN Fast II. Louis is
surrounded with water and switehmen are
at work waist-deep in water getting out car
loads Of meat.
feature Of the suffering from tho Hoods IN
tina city is the threatened coal famine.
Many factories will smut down from inability
10 procure a supply Of coal IL ~ estimated
that 1900 men are idle from factories and
foundries stopping work on account of high
water
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