Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-04-24
FLOOD SUFFERERS.
An Appeal for Aid Sent to Wash
ington from Pembina, N. D.
SITUATION ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI.
Fifteen Thousand People Said to Be Need
ing Assistance-The Red and Tensas
Rivers Swelling-PeopIe Drown
ing Near Natchez, Miss.

A1ger was yesterday handed the 1Ol-
lowing telegram by its recipient:
Hon H. c. Hansborough, Washington:
PEMBINA. N. D., April 19.-The storm Of yes
terday. in connection with the flood. has left
over 200 people destitute along Red river in
this county. Aid is needed at once Can any
thing be done? Local committee is unable to
render sufficient aid JUDsoN LAHORE
This news came as a surprise to the
war department officials. The officer
who had been sent to the Red river
country has returned, reporting that
there was no call for government aid
As the department had no agent in
that section it will communicate di-
rectly with the mayor of Pembina and
probably authorize him to extend aid
to the destitute. The following report
came yesterday from the inspecting
officer at New Orleans:
1 have had interviews with parties, repre-
scented to me responsible, who report tnat
S72 persons, including men, women and chill
dren, are destitute from the overflow in the
vicinity of NeStor, the left bank below the
organized levee district, and have practically
been in that condition for several weeks 1t is
recommended that rations be shipped to them
for three weeks
The depart ent has already adopted
this suggestion.
SITUATION ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI.
VICKsBURa, Miss, April 21.-Thanks
to the prompt measures taken by NAL
Willard, United States engineer, in
dispatching the steamer Vidette with
skiffs to the country back of Coon's
landing, it is believed that all persons
in danger will be relieved in time.
The Lorenzo, returning from there
yesterday morning, reported no cases
of drowning in the back country,
though there is unquestionably great
danger, and the loss of stock is be-
1ieved to be heavy. The work of relief
rs proceeding here under difficulties,
the applicants being so numerous that
1T is a task to systematic the matter.
1t is really impossible to say how
many persons are in need, since, in adj
dition to the large number of fugltlves
from the delta and from north Louisi-
ana, the lowland of this country, is
very large, and just now practically
helpless, but is estimated to run as
high as $4,000. That all available re-
sources will be severely strained to
care for them is quite evident. Private
<contribu tions are still coming in.
THE RED AND TENsAS RIVERS SWELLING.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, April 21.-The river
at Vicksburg, Helena, Natchez and all
along from ST. Joseph, La. to Bayou
Sara, La, is reported either stationary
or falling. This condition is the re-
suit of the vast amount of water pass
ing through the crevaSses at Biggs'
and Reid's levees above Natchez and at
Hancock's below. The Red and Ten
sas rivers are now swelling and almost
running over their banks, and by to-
day they will begin spreading over a
section of 80 miles to the interior.
Refugees continue to flock into the
yorincipal towns of the Mississippi and
deltas, and the relief committees are
taxed to their utmost to provide fol-
the wants of the destitute. At Mem
phis the river continues to fall. Re
ports from Greenville, Rosedale and
Cairo state that an encouraging decline
is noted.
PEOPLE DROWNING NEAR NATCHEz.
NATCHEz, Miss, April 21.-A terrible
tale of woe comes from Bayou Videl, III
the lower portion of Madison parish
The water from the Riggs crevasss
caught the people unprepared and un
aware of the danger. Word was SEN
out from that locality requesting tina
boats be sent there at once, as the PEG
pile were drowning. How many were
actually drowned is unknown, bu
Thomas Blackman, his wife and infan
are known to have been drowned, ant
Mr.. T. p. Kells came near losing hi
life in attempting to save them 1t i
believed others have persisted. Boat
have been sent to the fated locality.
WILL RETAIN JORDAN.