Evening star., 1897-03-18
Four Hundred Refugees Landed at
Memphis.
SAVED FROM THE FLOODED DISTRICT
Terrible Experience of Some of
the Survivors.
CARING FOR THE DISTRESSED

MEMPHIS. Tenn, March 1S.-Four res
cue steamers. including two government
boats. arrived this morning from the over
flowed country north of Memphis. landing
in0 refugees and a thousand head Of stock
to cared for by the already orertaxed
Bluff city The condition of tie refugees
is pitiable. Some are partially clothed and
sick almost unto death froIa exposure and
lcnG suffering.
Seventy-fve of the total brought h<te to-
day have !etg standing for fours in water
waist deep awaiting Sthe arrival of the
rescue steamers. one woman from the
north Of Marion experienced the horrible
sight of having her infant die in her arms.
when the steamer hands lifted her to
safety she clung frantically to the Head
haDe. Another family OF four rescued said
that two of their Eumber were drowned
Just a few minutes before the boat arrived
Rnining in Torrents.
Rain began failing yesterday afternoon at
! O'Clock and at In o'clock this morning
was coming dcwn in torrents. causing d
rise in the river of ~ in eighteen hours.
The gauge reads 2G.S-
Local packets cleared on time today. TAX
ing extra hands TO aid i'll the work of res
Cuing the homeless and to strengthen the
leVees in weak spots.
Several sinai! breaks in the old levees are
reported causing additional damage and
suffering.
Islands H. 20 -. 81 :;G - "a are report
Ell entirely submerged today. These con-
tain magnificent cotton plantations of a
thousand acres. operated by 800 negroes
and 30 head OF stock. The stock has been
abandoned but the owners and hands have
been landed safe in Memphis and Cairo.
Ill.
\ special tIair left Memphis this morning
via Valley route, containing material to
strengthen the delta levees. This was sent
in response TO urgent kilograms calling for
assistance.
Coming for the Refugees.
Here in Memphis vacant buildings are
crowded with refugees. the total number
now being $500. They sleep OF the floors.
hut have ali fool and clothing necessary.
1t seems now they will he on the c.ty's
hands for weeks ard maybe month. The
work Of relief goes bravey on. over $1,000
having been subscribed thus far without
ore cent froIa outside cities.
The river Will continue to rise. and a
break in the levees causing loss of life is
hourly expected.
Drowning of six.
According to a weil-defned report SIX
persons We're droW ned Yesterday between
Marion ard Jerico while trying TO reach
the railroad track. The names of the peo-
pie could not be learned hut il is said that
there Were TWO women. one man and three
children in small boat when 1t caps:zcd
with them. They all perished The people
Were trying TO reach the railroad track
SO th1t they could thus go to Marion
where relief could he given them They
were not far from Lloyd's swamps where
the water IS rushing madly through the
gap in the Kansas City. Fort Scott ard
Memphis tracks, and the boat in which
tney were navigating was caught by d
whirlpool and turned over
This report gained such wide circulation
as TO amount TO almost its verification
Almost IL Panic at Memphis
People in the flooded districts gained none
yesterday from the reports OF the United
States weather bureau that the river had
falier o. Today the same officials cane
out in strong denial. saying an error mad
been made IN taking the gauge by an i'll
experienced emp!oye. and that in truth a
rise of a fraction of foot had taken place
Al noon today comes report of a con-
finued rise, which with awful mt ursup-
ported news Of great loss Of life has al
most caused panic in Memphis
The governor of Arkansas has refused to
aid the Memphis relief committee. saying
he could do nothing.
Mem2hisians are angry at his action, as
- -''+1I SA AteiiueH t+itS lar mas been 10
Arkansas people. y general appeal for
relief was issued today directed to citizens
OF AL southern states
Appeal to Aid.
general appeal issued today by the
citizens relief committee. and addressed
10 the people Of Arkansas Tennessee and
Mississippi, has net with liberal respons $
in the shape Of kilograms Offering aid. Ten
resSseans and NfiSsissiT,rians arc RI. n,o-a
liberal IN their offerings. Negroes of Mem
pms. IN mass meeting assembled sIbscrib-
ell :-an and ii great amount of f.Iotrinc,
AID provisions to the sufferers Late re-
ports contain additiCnal rumors of heavy
loss OF life in the interior OF Critt.ader
county, Ark