The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-01

occurred and would occur on the western
bank of the river. giving the rotation or
the earth as the foundation OF their the
ories. This year the river. deriding theories
as we'll as the feeble barriers opposed TO
its might. opened for its surplus waters
three wide gaps-one, the first, at Lee
lake. the second AZ the Sledge Place, eighty
miles north of here. and the last at stop ;
Landing. thirty miles above GreenVille.
In order TO comprehend fully the area or
country threatened by the overflow, take
a point just south OF Rosedale. Miss, on the
east bank of the river in Bolivar county,
and thence south TO the Nazoo river and
west as far as and in all PROBABILITY pc
yOnd, the main line OF the IazOo * Mis-
sissippi Valley Railroad. This large scope
of country. the finest cotton lands I'm the
world, and containing estates or Plantations
rivaiing IN extent many small Kingdoms
OF the world is seriously threatened and
already an immense amount OF damage has
been done.
Greenville has been crowded with refu-
gees, principally negroes. for week past,
and gangs OF them marched hither and
thither all day long from point To point Of
danger, directed by their captains. the fore
men, who are acting under instructions
from their superior officers. the engineers.
who may very aptly be compared 10 gener-
ais in charge OF an array IN the heat OF
action. The Mississippi has scored three
successive victories over the army OF men
and has carried their important Outposts.
Now the engineers have entirely abandoned
these points. leaving the enemy to ravage
the country at will. and are contenting
themselves with trying 10 secure what re-
mains. They have concluded not TO waste
any time, money, material or labor on re-
pairing the breaches and are not even
protecting the ends OF the broken banks
or leVees. but are leaving the river TO work
its own sweet will. Greenville has become
the basis OF operations and all work is di-
rected therefrom. Large creVaSSeS have oc-
CURED within the past forty-eight hours.
which have had a good effect inasmuch
they have caused a decline OF nearly
a foot in the height OF the river. This.
however, further obviates the threatened
dangers and the levees in front of Green
vile and Immediately above and below are
engrossing the principal part OK the at
tention of the engineers.
About two miles above the city. in a
bend in the river. where the current Is
thrown against the levees there was a
point which aroused great anxiety. and all
day yesterday a force of 500 men was en-
gagged In pushing the work. The levee
was riveted and the thousands OF sand
bags were cast in behind planks to fence
in the current and prevent its acting det-
rimentally on the earth WORKS. AT dark
yesterday evening this was considered Sc
cure and the men had scarcely ceased their
labor ere an alarm came from the lower
end of Greenyille. About mile below the
city the inside of the leVee commenced
sloughing and landslide IN miniature oc-
CURED. engulfing ana carrying away about
one-hatf OF the leVee inside. The trouble
was discovered in its incipiency and prompt
action saved the levee a thousand bags
of sand We're dumped into the depression
and careful guard was kept on the spot
all night
A visit was made to the Deerfield Gre
vase on Lake Lee, which is about eighteen
miles south of Greenville and difficult OF
approach, the only means of reaching the
crevasse being by means of a skiff. The
back water has approached the leveeS from
the rear up 10 within mile below the
town of Greenville and the inhabitants
principally negroes. have already abandone
their homes the levees, the only high and
dry ground being covered with trunks. bed
ding and clothes, the furniture being left
until the flood recedes. The edges OF Lake
Lee are for the most part dense thickets
of underground and here and there huge
trees are growing. thin strip or sheet
of water intervenes between these thickets
and the levees and the latter can only De
reached in small boats or by walking along
the top of the embankments. The scene Is
one of great desolation, as far as regards
the homes of these people, the only signs OF
life visible around them being fiocks OF
poultry, gathered on the roofs of the
houses or upon such floating debris re-
manned around the humble little places
horses, mules, cows and pigs having sought
refuge the levees and followed pedes-
trians about to all appearances mutely beg
ging protection and shelter.
The plantations which are inundated NJ
to the present time by the crevasse in Lake
Lee levee are Deerfeld Refuge. Hollywood
saltwater, Glen Mary, Belmont, Hartford
and Lagrange. all very extensive tracts OF
rich lands and under a high state of cul-
tivation. The principal losses up to the
present time have been the drowning OF
| stock. the Deerfield and Glen Mary places
| suffering heavily I'm this respect. That tht
| poor people fought hard to keep out the
| waters Is evident from the careful rivet
| ing all along the line from Greenville dowT
| to the break and bayou. The levees, higf
| as they were, were found TO be too low fol
| ing down the river. Five or six tiers OF
sand bags were required To be piled on the
crest of the levees to keep out the water
yet, Notwithstanding all this, the poor peo
| pie are drowned out from water in the
| river.