The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-22
THE FLOOD ABATING.
Mississippi and Missouri Going
Back to Their Channels.
FARMERS SUFFER THE MOST.
Millions OF Bushels OF Growing Wheat
Lost by tho Overfow-The People
Return to Ruined Homes.

OMAHA, May M--Ine river IL Still Iail-
ing. and except annoyance and delay to
trains the inconvenience is merely nomi-
nal. There is no truth in the report that
the Union Pacific bridge between Council
Bluffs and Omaha is unsafe. Trains are
running over it at all hours without the
slightest delay. There is no obstruction
OF any sort to traffic, the line being clear
from the river to the Pacific coast.
KANSAS CRY, May 2l.--Near Independ-
ence, No., 1900 acres of farms are under
water. The Missouri Pacific accommoda-
tion became stalled this evening while at
tempting to pass through the flooded dis
trict. The train Is now standing In the
midst of the food. A train of fiat cars
long enough to reach from the dry ground
to the stalled train has been made up. 1t
will be backed up to the accommodation
and hitchcd on to it, when it will draw the
train from the water. Both the Kaw and
the Missouri are slowly reeeding tonight.
PINE BLUFF, Ark, May 21.-The Arkan-
sns river is still rising. and is now running
over the top of the Clayton levees, the
whole adjacent territory being flooded.
The levees at New Gascony and Lake Dick
are broken, causing considerable suffering,
especially among the farmers, who, owing
to the unfortunate condition of affairs, are
unable to get any supplies. Incessant
rains have been falling during the last two
days.
ST. LOUIS, May oi--Tt is almost impos-
sibe to give AN adequate estimate OF the
loss by the food IN the Mississippi bot
toms. A single instance, however, will
illustrate the seriousness of the situation.
OF all the land under water at
least 100000 acres are in wheat,
which, at conservative estimate,
considering the fact that no crop can be
raised this year, means not less than
10000. 600 bushels of wheat lost. In addi-
ton TO the homes wrecked, cattle have
been drowned, and lakes and ponds stand
on land that has been dry for years,
rendering what was formerly valuable
land worthless. Over 100 -four mills are
affected more or less in the flooded dis
tricts. Farm laborers are out of work for
the season, as we'll as millmen, and so the
tale of woe increases. One unfortunate oc-
currence today was the sinking of some
two feet of trestle work new Merchants
bridge half mile east Of the bridge proper.
This will soon be repaired, and BUSH
ness over that route resumed.
The water in Cohokia creek has fallen
tricts the waters are beginning to recede.
Reports from sections adjacent to East
st. Louis are more favorable. The rail-
ways have not yet begun using their re-
Gently abandoned tracks. In North
st. Louis the back water has caused
many sewers to burst, and the health
of the residents of section is in danger IN
less there is speedy relief from the trouble.
4 Il - =
now past. A trip by an Associated Press
reporter from this city to Cairo revealed
pitiful scenes. The river, which is fifteen
TO twenty miles wide, has carried away
homes, drowned stock and submerged
farms. 1t Is estimated that 10000
people are homeless in this stretch of
country Alone and 100000 acres of grow
ing grain have been destroyed utterly. A
potato famine is in prospect. The
great American bottom, comprising
counties. one of the greatest potato fields
in tho Mississippi valley, is entirely mum
dated, and will not yield single potato.
The cabbage crop is also ruined. The
newspapers and the Board of Trade are So
liciting subscriptions for the flood su fer
ers.
Is
slightly higher. but the levees are gener-
ally holding firm. The work of closing
the Gypsy crevasse is proceeding en-
couragingly. Unless a severe rise takes
place no further damage is looked for.
TAswEaL, Ind. May 2l.-A heavy and
destructive hail and wind storm swept
over the country Immediately east of here
last night, destroying great amount of
H. 4 l.
hailstones cover the ground, and the
weather Is very cold.
Sioux CRY, Iowa. May 21-At a Joint
meeting of the relief and food sufferers
committee this morning it was agreed to
say to the benevolent people of the coun-
try that the losses far exceed the first es-
innate, and aid will be gratefully accepted
by the people. Contributions should be
sent TO Morris Pierce, mayor, or
], c. French. treasurer of the relief COM
mittee. There are no new developments
in the situation. The weather is cloudy
and cold. threatening rain The work of
clearing up the wreck is going steadily
forward. The Big Sioux river has been
rising since last night, but is still well
within its banks. No danger is arpre-
hended.
falling, the sun is shining and the worst is
over.
ATcnIsoN. Kan, May 2i.-Thc Missouri
river rose this morning and washed out
the southwest pier of the big bridge and a
part Of the ripfap put in 10y the govern
ment.
CEnAR RAPips, Ia, May 2t-There was
q heavy frost this morning, and the
ground was slightly frozen in places
Fruit is not far enough along 10 he injured.
oTTuMwA. Ia. May 1.-THE Des Moines
river rose rapidly again during the night.
and is now seven inches higher than at
any previous time. The reported heavy
rise above creates uneasiness here. Albia
reports Il material rise, and Eddyville is
under water.
DEApwooD, s. H., May 2l-A terrific
snowstorm ragged here yesterday, snow
falling TO the depth Of SIX inches
TKxARSANA. Ark, Nay 2I-ro add to
the floods damage. q cyclone passed south
o. this city, causing devastation and
desolation. Roadways are blocked by
fallen trees that II is impossible 10 get
definite information. but 1t Is known that
houses were destroyed and fences leveIed
for miles. The wind was accompanied by
excessively heavy thunder and great GUAM
titles of sand. though there is no dry sand
within a hundred miles of here.
PARIS. Tex. May 2l.--The Red river is
falling rapidly. The overflow has been
she greatest in years. Many farms have
been ruined.
CAMDEN. Ark, May 2t-The ouachita
river - the highest since 1886. All the