The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-03-18
PASSES THE RECORD.
Mississippi River Higher ut Memphis
Than for Many Years.

I .
11ississippi River Higher ut Memphis
Than for Many Years.
Memphis, Tenn, March 1.-THE Mis-
sissippi river is higher than recorded by
the weather bureau since its establish
ment here, rs years ago. The rise Sun
day was about six inches. Numerous
small bikes or private levees around
towns and plantations, have given way
under the pressure from the tremendous
volume of water, but no reports of any
breaks in government levees have been
received. Armed men patrol.them, the
entire distance, however, prepared to
give warning by the use Of their guns
in case of a break. The steamer Bluff
City was warned by several shots from
these guards few miles below the
city, because she approached too near
the embankments. It was feared the
wash from her would 60 over the top
of the levee and, softening it. make the
way easy for a crevasse.
The river at this place is nearly three
miles wide, extending inland on the
Arkansas side about two miles. There
was no loss of life or live stock in the
low-lying Arkansas district opposite,
owing to the fact that the overflow is of
yearly occurrence. The Inhabitants,
accustomed to moving out at this season
every spring, had their effects in shape,
and when the water began to rise, came
across the river to the city. where they
will remain until the food subsidies.
On the islands in the river below here,
however, the people were not so for
tunate. The rise was so sudden and the
height attained so far above all previous
overflows that the residents were to-
tally unprepared.
At Presidents island nearly all the
live stock was destroyed, but the in
habitants managed to reach the Ten
nessee shore in safety. At Hen and
Chickens island, the loss of live stock
is equally great and the few people en-
gagged in farming there were taken to
Memphis by passing boat. Two boats
were sent to these islands to gather up
all the live stock which had escaped the
flood and returned to this city Satur-
day night. The big Medley plantation,
eight miles below this city, is vast ex-
panse of water, and the cabins occupied
by the negroes have been washed away.
The St. Francis basin is one great lake
and all previous floods witnessed by the
residents of this section have been out
done.
The railroads are feeling the effects
of the big overflow and the Iron Noun
tain road is the only one which can
come into the city with any degree of
safety to it's trains. The Little Rock &
Memphis managed to get it's morning
rain in but no attempt has been made
to send out trains. The Kansas City,
Fort Scott & Memphis, which has not
been touched by the high water for sew
cral years, is compelled to use the Iron
Mountain tracks. It turned it's trains
over to that road at Nettleton, Ark,
and in that way reached Memphis. 1t
suffered a serious washout near Gill
more, and Superintendent Sullivan sent
large force of men over to repair the
damage.
Two Arkansas towns across from this
city are submerged and the inhab-
itants driven TO safer places. These are
Marion and West Memphis. The former
is under from three to four feet of
water, due to break of it's protection
levee along the lake front early Sun
day morning. The break occurred be-
fore many Of the Inhabitants had left
their beds and there was a scene of
great hustle and excitement, but no
loss of human life. Live stock, however,
is being almost decimated, the highest
points in that section being under
water. This city is, of course, in no
danger, as whole, owing. to it's natural
protection, but the bayou extending
entirely through the city is Overlooking
from river back water and threatening
damage to AUDITING property. From
one of the largest cotton sheds on it's
banks it became necessary to remove
1000 bales of cotton from the waters