Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-04-15
ON THE roMBrasxx's RAsKs.


ing everything. The food rushed down
the Looxapolla and was met by the
great volume from the Tombigbee. The
Tombigbee below this point Of con-
nueucc could not carry the wa
.crs. The foods spread out all
over the valley. On the bosom Of
the rush were borne along negro
cabins. fences. logs. trees, bodies
Of cows. mules horses and hogs. The
food was SO sudden and enormous that
it was impossible to get TO place Of
safety. The negroes and whites and
cattle were to be seen in all directions.
running for the high places. Some of
the people who could not get away
were rescued from the tops OF houses
or trees. Many were in trcetops for
thirty or more hours.
The Work of Relief Parties.
Boats were hastily constructed and
relief parties worked hard night and
day rescuing the negroes. Only one
fatal accident is reported. One family
Of negroes. seven in number, were got
into the boat, and the old negress had a
pet pig which she took into
the boat with her. The pig
jumped out into the water as the
boat moved of and she grabbed
for il. overturning tho craft. The chill
dren were all drowned The mother.
tho husband and the rescuers escaped.
On one little mound about forty negroes
and several head of cattle were found
huddle6 together. On another thore
were seventy people and many head Of
cattle. all hungry and suffering. The
whites have been working night and
Veg rescuing tho sufferers.
The Worst Ever Known.
Many touching incidents are reported
of tho people fleeing from the floods.
and many deeds of heroism have been
recorded to the credit of the people Of
Columbus. The river, or rather the
sea, ut that place was over miles
wide. The record made by the
food Of 1ss7 was II feet lower
than the present one. II is
the worst ever known In this
section. The merchants Of Columbus lose
very heavily, for they had sold the farm
ers their supply of groceries for the year
on credit, and all they now have, in the
majority of cases. is the promise to pay
Of the helpless negroes. Most OF them
had COW ard mule; . mule anyhow
These are nearly all gone, and those
that escaped are almost starved.
The Lose VERY Hssvy.
The receding waters leave exposed q
sorry scene of devastation and ruin.
The farmers have been damaged great
". iust how much cannot be estimated.
One says he is damaged q, 900, another
g.. 600, and so on. This viii serve a. n
guide to est mate the great loss 70 the
plantations of the Tombigbee valley
Poverty and desolztiou are spread out
In all directions for miles on both sides
OF the river.
Crsps Ruined.
The creates, loss probably will fall
! upon the corn md cotton crops. The
lands were freshly plowcd and Just
planted In many cases The cotton
crop will be cut 90 at least so per cent
and the corn crop viii be almost a total
/ loss. IL viii be 50 long before the lands
are in condition for cultivation that
the season will be far advanced before
/ the farmers will be able 10 plant again.
Help Needed
TIE care Of the COO or zoo negroes
now ia Colam bns being clothed. doe
torcd add fed ~ charity u . serious
matte, The feil~, askrd % the gov
eminent sAon'd be extended ~ epee.
I II IA needed. Eaiseg places hsv- bern
erected for the pooF AID dnilT the relief
eosufsttlscs 80 ga, loeksav TO- thsm.
/ TIE weather cas- very severe ard sieh
tess IL reported anscns them them.
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