Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-10
CERTAINLY NO WORSE
MISSISSIPPI FLOOD SITUATION MAY
DE BETTER.
CONDITIONS IN The YAZOO DELTA.
No Corn Can BE Raised On Over
Flowed Lands This season. and
Government Relief.


storm reported from the overnowed
Mississippi District last night, the stua-
ton in the flood-stricken section. II not
better. is certainly no worse tonight.
The water. which has been pouring
through FIVE big crevasscs for more than
a week. II rapidly flowing into the Mis-
sisslppi again. at a point twelve miles
north Of Vicksburg and is sweeping
southwark. The strain on the Louisiana
levees will be very great for a week.
but II they withstand the powerful pres
sure for that length Of time all will be
well.
The Sunfiower river. which traverses
the counties of Coahoma. Bolivar. and
Sunhower. in Mississippi. is on the
ramDage tonight. Two-thirds OF the
water from the Flower Lake crevasse is
rushing into this stream. and a large
area will be inundated by the overflow
The Tallahatchie and Coldwater rivers
are gradually falling.
AZ Helena the river Is slowly falling
and the indications are that the big
stream will continue TO decline. The
hack-waters below the Arkansas Mid
land levee are at a stand tonight. The
number Of refugees is increasing at
Helena almost every hour. The steamer
Maud arrived there late this afternoon,
with more than a hundred fiood-sufferers,
swelling the list already there 10 5000
people.
At Rosedale nothing Of special inter-
est has occurred in the situation. Af
ter a stormy night. that caused build
. ings TO rock and sway, the sun came
out bright and clear in that section to-
day. but cold north wind is blowing.
In the Bogue Phalia country much suf-
fering IS reported. Members Of the Rose
dale Relief Committee will visit that sec
tion tomorrow, and distribute provisions
10 the needy.
At Greenville the situation has not
changed. All the levees along the Mis-
sissippi front have satisfactorily with
stood the terrible wind Of last night
At Memphis the river continues to fall.
a decline Of one-tenth of a foot being
reported by the Weather Bureau to-
night Ihe railroads, with one excep-
ton. are again open for business and
in good shape. and all trains are be-
ing run on schedule time. Many dis
patches from Memphis have stated that
the Iron Mountain was the only road
entering the city from the west side.
This is erroneous The Cotton-Bel has
been open during the high water in
Arkansas. dispatching its trains prompt
ly and regularly. BY raising the tracks
in the vicinity Of Birds Point opposite
Cairo the road has had uninterrupted
service TO and from ST. Louis.
NO SERIOUS RESULTS.
vICKSBURG. MISS, April 9.-Informa-
ton from all points on the Louisiana
side. from the Arkansas State line down
10 the lower end of the district, some
25O miles. is hat while the high winds
have done considerable damage, no Sc
rious results followed last nights storm
along the entire front line of the levee
banks. that are now put to such d Sc
we're strain by the waters coming out of
the YazoO.
Lieutenant Newcomer with headquar-
ters In Memphis. United States Engineer
In charge Of this 0he Third district,
which extends from the mouth of the
White river down to Warrenton, ten
miles beow this city. telegraphs Cap
tain Brown. his assistant in charge. that
more money Is available. if necessary,
and TO do everything possible to hold
the levee TO prevent Overfiows. Lieuten-
ant Newcomer had previously placed
$4,000 to the credit of the emergency fund
here This gives ample funds for the
high-water fight that is now going on.
President Maxwell stated to-day that
the line in danger extends from Hender-
son 10 WarTenton. ten niles below. This
tarritory is being closely watched. and
large forces are at work raising the low
lines and Strengthening the weak places
At the Bedford-Biggs levee, ten miles be-
low in louisiana the work is well under
way. and two days more, ii Is thought,
will put II out Of imminent danger.
At Cabin Teel in Upper Madison
Parish. there was some wave-wash dam
age last night but ii was all repaired to-
day The Surget-Ashley run-around. built
to protect caving bank in Corcordia
Parish. was completed yesterday MIR.
Maxwell also states that he has no fears
for the Tensas levees. they are five
Aeet above the highest water.
Captain Long. well-known leyee con-
tractor. was in the city yesterday. and
says he rode from Ashwood, La, down
to Hardtime landing, a distance of
twenty-five miles and that the leyee
could stand six feet more water. Mr..
Maxwell states that II the levees hold
until the food passes Vicksburg he will
feel comparatively safe.
YAZOO DELTA.
Information from the Yazoo delta is
that Deer creek and Sunfiower river are
rising rapidly and are flooding all lands
adjoining. The damage done in the over
flowed section is almost beyond express
sion.
Experience in past years is evidence
that no corn can be raised in the over
flowed lands this season. and not an ave-
rage crop Of cotton.
Mr.. 5. i. Metzger, president OF the Cot
ton Exchange of this city. gives 1t as his
opinion that the loss TO the raisers Of
cotton by the overflow In the States of
Arkansas and Mississippi this season will
not fall short Of $1,000 bales, and will pos
sibly be greater
The Yazoo delta will not, if the water
goes out by the first Of June make over
half crop United States Assistant
Engineer w. S Brown arrived on the
steamer Vidette from above at u. NJ,
and reports all safe.
IN DANGER OF PERISHING.
LITTLE ROCK. April 9.-Governor
Jones to-day received a letter from Is
land 70. White river, which stated
that the people there are in imm-
nent danger Of perishing. The In
habitants are on house-tops. RATS. and
all manner Of floats, and are without
food. There are said 10 be seventy-three
families around the island. and the let
ter states that unless they receive i'm
mediate succor they Will certainly die.
One family near the island has just lost
six children in the food. Another let
ter from G. Is. Blackburn inspector OF
the Laconia Levee District. gives a
graphic description Of the sufferngs Of
the victims of the flood in that dis
trict. and urges the government TO help