The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-17

MEMPHIS. March fs-The Mississippi
river al Memphis tonight gauges frae-
ton over thirt~-sfx feet. use OF over
oae-teRth since morning. The river con-
tiBnss 10 rise steadily. Tive lives are
known TO have been lost during tbs day.
Two negroes who I'VE hear Marioa- AK.
Attempted 20 cross Mound lake II a dug
out. when they we're ca1xh; ~ the
mighty cErrsnt. their boat cApsIze1 and
they we're swept ASay-
The change IN me situation Ia the past
twenty-fouT hours has been decidedly for
the worse - every respect. 50 far as the
food and the food victims are concerned.
Localities that we're expected up TO the
last moment to Withstand the overflow
are a. last under water. People who
thought they weTs safe from the angry
river find themselves hemma1 In and their
danger "a the greater because Of the conf
Genc1 that prevented them from pr1yla-
ing against the food. Prem every dlrec-
ts0a come reports Ol gnexDected ana Or
pgsceasnEeG disaster.
over a. Marion and tne adYacent eoun-
tTY, go people are reported 10 De lined uo
on the railroad track over wAlch occa-
si0nal waves sweep. threatening 70 carry
of tae desperate people and live stock
that there ind a pTecaFlOus tooEaola.
Along the other railroads leading out OF
tlas tatg 4ale ~AENs44sas a similar condition
% affairs exists.
Down on Presidents island. where IL
was supposed that ali persons in danger
had been carried of last night IL is
learned that from nifty 10 one hundred
people were this morning standing IN the
water and praying fer the sight OF a boat
THAI would take them OFF. From Island
Forty came reports that the water is
everywhere. and human beings and dumb
Srutes are hudaled together wherever
shallow water offers standing places
There are many other points from which
come appeals for aid. IL may easily be
understood. therefore. that the relief COM
uittee which has been established Ia this
city has rs hands fugi OF work. Capt
Fitch. In charge OF the United States feet,
has placed every steam yessel and barge
ia bis command at ths disposal OF the
committee. Barges are carried wherever
necessary. Nearly Ioe people have been
brought 70 this city already from the over
flowed country. Most OF the refugees are
negroes. who saved nothing bus tha cloth
Ing on their backs.
Many rumors OF wholesale drowning are
current. but these cannot be verified A
weil-eefnea report reached here last night
that ffty colcret people had persisted near
Marion, and a coloreG man and a child are
known 70 have been drowned az Mound
lake. The conditions are undoubtedly
such that there viii be innumerable fataii-
ties before long uniess the helpless ones
are relieved.
Interest in the food animates everybody
tn the city. This Is evidenced By the
great throng that gathers on the lsveA
This afternoon - was almost impossible
20 reach the Brayn wharfboat when she
pulled IN from Marion.
AZ Helena the river rose very slowly to-
day. standing tonight AS. two inches be-
low high-water mark. In the vicinity 81
Helena rain came Gown Ia torrents al
last night and today. The steamer
Msudls left there this afternoon with q
crew Of forty laborers for M0doc. where
the government boat Titan IS sacking the
ievee. The water at Mc9oc was within
about eighteen inches OF the top OK the
lcysc.