The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-01
FLOODS FURY STILL FEARED.
THE SITUATION DAILY GROWING
MORE EXCITING.


New Orleans Reports 1t Probable
That the Worst Has Not Yet Been
ENpericnced-Green StiI Dry
and the Water in Front OF the City
Lowered by Breaks at Distant
POints-The State Convict Farms
Under Water and the Extent of the
Disaster Beyond Computation.
Jackson, Miss, March S1.-The condl-
tion of affairs in the Mississippi valley
grows daily more exciting, and it is prob
able the worst has not been experienced.
One or two more big breaks, one of them
1,OO0 feet wide, occurred in Bolivar county
last night, and the waters from the last
joining forces with the other three
streams. are now rushing towards the
SOUTH carrying destruction to houses,
barns, gins, fencing, live stock. etc.
Fortunately, the people of the delta had
taken time by the forelock, and had either
secured their horses and cattle on high
points and mounds, or had driven them
out to the foot hills, where they will re-
main till the waters subsde No efforts
are being made to stop the breaks, they
having gotten beyond human control, and
work in that direction is fruitless, but
every possible energy is directed towards
the preservation and strengthening of
miles and miles of mushy banks still
standing.
Capt. ]. ]. Evans, president of the state
railroad commission. and Warden Nc
Laurln of the penitentiary, returned last
hightf rom Greenville, in which vicinity
they have been for a week or more dl-
recting the labor of $50 convicts in pre-
venting the breaks and overflow. and re-
port that the state farms, eleven in all,
are now under water, or will be by to-
morrow, and that the extent of the disas-
ter is beyond all computation.
So far the levees around Greenville have
stood the strain. No breaks are reported
within less than ten miles on either side
and as the river, on account of four
breaks above, has fallen nearly two feet
in front of the city. there is good chance
that she will escape the awful calamity
that has been so strongly threatened for
week
News was afioat here this morning that
Greenville was six feet under water, COM
ing from breaks above, but private ad-
vices received later in the day say the
town is stll dry.
Traffic on the Yazoo and Mississippi
Valley, o part of the Illinois Central sys-
tenn, has been about suspended
above Vicksburg, and there is no telling
when a train will be able to get all the
way through again.
News from all points along the river at
Vieksbnrg Natchez and other places, is
that the people are working like demons
to hold their levees until the breaks above
reduce the volume of water in the main
channel. They have great faith in their
ability to hold out, but the weather to-
night being stormy and blustery, accom-
panied by thunder showers, is not Of
nature to inspire confidence or lend en-
couragement.
Helena, Ark. March S1-Telephone
messages say that the Westover levee is
still standing. but there are slender hopes
of saving it. Rumor has it that the La
coma circle levee has broken or is about
to break.
The government rescue steamboat, IT,
tian, due east last night, is not yet in. 1t
is rumored she anchored five barges of
refugees off Old Town and then turned
back to Laconia to save life and proper
ty at that point.
On Board Launch Rescue. Arkansas
city, Ark, March 31.-The steamer Kate
Adams saved nearly 800 souls from the re-
lentless flood last night, at Rosedale and
Laconia. The break at Dennis, several
miles above Rosedale, has sent the water
down that way and threatened everybody
in town. The water is now within a short
distance of Rosedale. No power on earth
can save it, and homes stores and mills
will be swept away within twenty-four
hours Men by hundreds fought the river
as long as possible, but the river was too
strong.
Breaks above have relieved the pressure
at Arkansas City.
Water from Eaton Is now rushing with
frightful speed towards Greenvlle, Miss.
There is another break at Wayside, sew
eral miles below. The people of Arkansas
CItr. CIV thau will hold the laNae.