The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-04-22
THE DAMAGE BY FLOOD |
Official Reports Of the Devastation Wrought
by the Waters In the Delta.
TOTAL FOo1S up NEARLY $4,000, 900
Estimates Include Damage TO Farms
ana Implements, nt,,I Cot on.Sugar
nnd Other Tr0dncts-S;overnst,
III Rrlierof Negroes EIas InterrcreH
With Planters ObsatnIn. labor.
By Associated Press to The vlrginian.)

(By Associated Press to The Vlrginian.)
Washington, April 2l.-The Bureau Of
STATISTICS of the Treasury Department
has made the following report ON the
damage caused agricultural interests by
the NJ IL slss.ppi river flood,
Since the publication Of April 18th
statement relative 10 the agricultural
interests Of the submerged districts of
III. the area under water ha been con-
siderably extended. THIS extension is
below Nicksbu:g, M.Es but on the right
or west side of :he river. and is main
ly due to 4 break 1000 feet in width, In
the levee at Blggs.
NEWLY SUBAIERGE REGION.
In this newly submerged region there
was in 1890 a total population of S2.35G,
In the proportion Of four colored per-
sons 10 one white. The region contained
at the las: census 7,747 farms. with 4
total area Of over 100000 acres OF
which 100000 were improved. or this
iast mentioned area, $4,000 acres or
over one-half were last year devoted
to cotton, over 81 900 acres 10 corn, 5000
acres to sugar cane, 1000 acres to hay,
ana an !nconside. BILE acreage to other
crops. The total value or these farms,
including fences and buildings, but5cX-
elusive Of their movable equipment. was
in 1890 close upon Sl1000,000, and the
value OF the mD.emen.s and machinery
upon them was over sG00.00O. On Jan
o"i hSN VI tiic licScul they cOn-
tanned live stock to the value OF ono
and one-half million dollars and so lately
as the fl:st of March last they were
estimated to have still on hand ahout
SS00.G00 worth OF the crop OF las. sea
son. The to.al value Of the farms sub
merged by the breaks III the levces that
have occurred s.ncc the 10th instant,
with their farm implements, live stock
and crops OF hand, is therefore close
upon $l4.0000Q0.
This region produced last year nearly
100000 bales OF cotton, owe. O0O.C0o
pounds of sugar over ! 800. 900 bu shells Of
corn besides hay, potatoes, oats and
other minor products. the entire produc-
lion aggregating a value, even al the
low prices that have prevailed, Of more
;han fou" and quarter million dol
lars.
The total area submerged at this date
Is over 10000 square miles. I. contained
al the last census 46,935 farms, with a
total area Of 4,904, ,466 acres nearly one
half OF which was improved, and total
popula@ @oA, agricultural anu otherwise
OF a62,Oil. If to the value of rs farms
farm buildings and farm ma ch.ne.y. ac-
ccl:ding to the census Of 1890, there be
added the value Of its live stock on
January 1st, last ($9174363) and OF its
products of last season TIL on hand on
March lst last (Sl595.l79) the ;o:al Of
$90.l16,1U will represent the approximate
value Of the agricultural property of
.he submerged region. Among the p:o-
ducts OF this region last year were 4G6 G56
bales OF cotton, worth $16,3I2 .060; 12,-
325,641 bushels of con, worth s3,995,27S
s21.Ol6. the total production, including
minor crops, representing a value Of
$2l. $50 on the Plantation"
CRY OF DISTRESS
\ cry OF deep distress has come TO The
War Department from Mississippi, and
I q otn- No r
the persons who are engaged In the d!s-
tributlon Of govc,nment relief to the
flood sufferers 10 carry on the work so
as TO avoid encou1'a cement to idleness
abong the labore.s.
AZ Heena there is q great number Of
negroes who have come into town from
their ovecflewed cabins TO get food and
shelter To-day a telegram came TO the
war Department f.Om a committee
headed by the Rev. l.. s. Smith, de-
claH.ng that many of the negroes IN T'u-
MICA county and the adjacent country
were In great distress and suffering FOR
supplies which their employers refused
to allow them 10 secure on the ground
mat IT would amount to an Interference
with the labor market
Ii has been realized from The first that
there was 4 very great element Of dan
&c! III ind!cCiminate distribution OF
EHVcrnmen: supplies among the labo.ing
classes IN the flooded sections ais The
planters might find it impossible TO get
sufficient farm labor 10 make cror.s or 10
repair the damages resulting from the
floods II the hands were furnished with
unlimited free food and relieved from
the necessity OF iCboving
secretary Alger to-day received the
following telegram from the Mayor ana
City Council OF Grafton, N. D.:
BROWNING AND FREEZING. =.
THE raging flood along the Red river
bordering Walsh and Penn bina counties
aggravated by cold high winds and zero
temperature, have caused great de-
struc;ion Of property and suffering.
Buildings with contents, stock and seed
gram have been swept away I'm
mcd!ae relief Is necessary o. great suf-
ferng will prevail. The requirements
etc, beyond local aid. The assistance
Of the government Is invoked and a,
once. Can you aid us? II so wire funds
to be distributed by relief committee"
In response TO this appeal Secretary
Alger teleglraphed 10 Major ,Sanno. at
Fort Snelings, MINI, the army officer
who recetly visited the vicinity Of Graf
ton, and VINO is now at ST. Paul. Minn..
TO return Immediately to the flooded dis
t.icts In North Dlko:a and render all
possible relief.
Earfy Nor ing E3ra,