The Forrest City times., 1897-03-19
HUNDREDS IN PERIL.

sis.ippi- -Thousands Compelled to Flee
 Before the onrushIng Waters-from su
 Dire rtions Come Reports of tnprecs-
 dented Disaster Coupled with Loss of
 Human Life.
 MEMPHIS. Tenn, March 16.-The Mis- sissippi river at Memphis tonight gauges a fraction over 36.5 feet, rise of over 1-10th since morning. The river continues to rise slowly.
 Two lives are known to have been lost during the day. Two negroes who lived near Marion, Ark, attempted to cross Mound lake in a dugout when they were caught by the mighty cur rent, their boat capsized and they were swept away.
 The change in the situation in the past 24 hours has been decidedly for the worse in every respect so far as the flood and the flood victims are con- cerned. Localities that were expected up to the last moment to withstand the overflow are at last under water. Peo- pie who thought they were safe from the angry river find themselves hemmed in, and their danger is the greater be- cause of the confidence that prevented them from providing against it.
 From every direction come reports of unexpected and unprecedented disas- ter. Over at Marion and the adjacent country 400 people are reported to be &l %~a aIr which occasional waves sweep that threaten to carry off the des- perate people and live stock that there find a precarious foothold. Along the other railroads leading out of this city ineo Arkansas a smilar condition of af- fairs exist.
 Down on Presidents island, where it was supposed that all persons in danger had been carried off last night, it is learned that from 50 to 100 people were this morning standing in the water and praying for the sight of a boat that would take them off.
 From Island Forty came reports that the water is everywhere; that human beings and dumb brutes are huddled together wherever shallow water offers standing places.
 The situation is truly alarming. AL ready the known loss of life in Arkan- sas is 60, but it is quite probable that several hundred negroes have been swept away. These people will not leave their homes until the last possi- ble moment, and from this reason many are lost.
 From Osceola, Ark. to a point oppo- site Memphis the entire basin is over flowed and 10000 refugees have been compelled to seek high land. Three thousand refugees are in Memphis, and 1000 are camped along the line of the Iron Mountain railroad. Several hun dred have sought refugee along the Kansas City, Pittsburgh & Gulf. and thousands on the crest of the levees.
 At 'arketon, Ark, the water has cut through the Kansas City. Pittsburg X Gulf railroad in three places, and torrents are pouring into the bayous that have an outlet iu the St. Fra river.
 On Lloyd's plantation three women and six children were drowned.
 Three children were drowned on Blanton's plantation.
 William Cartwright and William Cox were drowned near Marion.
 Six persons were drowned on Barton's plantation.
 There is well-defned report that half dozen families on a plantation near Buffers landing were drowned.
 A relief steamer went to Presidents island to-day, and found two families on the roof of a farm house. They re- fused to leave. The steamboat cap tains report trouble in making the vic tims realize their danger. Half dozen boats are engaged in relief work. The condition of the Mississippi levee is alarming. Maj. Dabney, in charge of the Mississippi levees, sent request to Memphis to-day for aid, and a special train was furnished by the Illinois Gen. tral to carry sacks, wheelbarrows and tents for the workmen.
 The danger on the Mississippi side is at Sherrod and Stovall. The water is "ANhlh a lOot d idll OI the crown of the levee in some places. At Lacoma Circle, in Arkansas, the water is close to the top of the levee, and below Helena on the Arkansas side the water is almost level with the top of the em- bankments. All of the factory district of North Memphis is under water, and several hundred negroes living on Bayou Gayoso have sought high ground.
 A relief committee went to work to- day. Money, food and clothing were collected and two steamboats were sent out. The duty of feeding the 5000 refugees here is confronting the citi- zens. Two-thirds of these are destitute. There are many other points from which come appeals for aid. It may easily be understood, therefore, that the relief committee has its hands full of work. This work is being looked after without delay. nevertheless All the local river craft have been requisitioned for this duty, and Capt. Fitch. in charge of the United States fleet, has placed every steam vessel and barge in his command