Omaha daily bee., 1892-04-13
IN NEED OF SPEEDY ArD.
Terrible Havoc Wrought by High Waters In
the south Many Lives Lost.

Terrible Havoc Wrought by High Waters In
the south Many Lives Lost.
New ORLEANS, La, April 12-The Times
Democrats Columbus, Miss, special says:
Tho death and desoiation caused by the flood
has so demoralized the entire population that
the days are as quiet and business as idle as
any Sabbath. While business is resumed in
the northeastern part of the county, still tho
city is waterbouDd from every other dircc-
ton. Later reports rather enlarge than
diminish the damage. A belt of country
ranging from five to fifteen miles wide, run
ming north and south through the county, is
one stretch of debris, made up Of ruins of
houses and fences and the carcasses of ami
mails. and 1t Is doubtful whether there is left
standing in tnat belt dozen houses
The pitiful scenes Of the past few days
have opened the hearts of all, and public and
private charity prevents the suffering of
those who were rescued. But the most help
less time will come when the water subsidies
and there will be left in this place about
1900 negroes who have no money, credit or
homes. If there was ever an occasion when
people had right to call on the government
for help that time is now, for these poor
freedmen need it, and it would be but COM
mon humanity for congress 10 help them.
The impoverished condition of the white
people prevents them from maintaining the
colored people long and it is too late in the
season TO give them work
Even at the present stage of the water any
estimate OF the loss of life Is all guesswork.
AS yet no deaths arc reported among the
whites, as the low lying lands which are in
undated are inhabited almost exclusively by
the negroes, and such whites as lived there
were alwas kept well protected by keeping
good boats The old mound builders built
wiser than they knew, as these old Indian
relics saved the lives of hundreds of negroes,
besides countless numbers of stock.
A mass meeting of citizens was held ut the
city hall this afternoon. The mayor was
authorized to ask the federal government for
the loan OF 900 tents to give shelter to the
homeless sufferers The students of the
State Industrial institute at this place. true
TO their woman's nature, gladly joined the
citizens in making such contributions as
they could BY common consent they agreed
TO go without their dinner last Sunday that
it might be given to sufferers.
NASHVILLE Tenn, April l2-The appalling
character of the foods in northern Missis-
sippl are just beginning to be realized. Hun
drcds of lives have been lost. Last night
one man rowed several miles on raft in the
dark with Jwenty-2ix bodies he had picked
up. The flood came so suddenly that mono
were prepared. All sorts of crafts are being
improvised 10 80 to the rescue of the sur
vivors, who are perched on the highest
ground without food or shelter. The loss of
property is over 81, 100000.
New ORLEANS, La, April l2.-The reported
loss of life aud property by floods on the
Tombigbee river Is confirmed. Citizens of
Lowndes county. Mississippi, have petit
toned Congressman Allen to ask for govern
ment aid, as their own means are inadequate.
The loss of life is variously estimated at from
fly to 200 The loss of live stock is beyond
computation but mustbe enormous.