New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-23
THE FLOODED RIVER VALLEYS
SIGNS OF SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN THE
SITUATION.
THE WATER STATIONARY IN SOME PLACES AND
REcEpiNG IN oTHERs-sTATEMENT OF THE
MEMPHIS RELIEF coMMrrrEE-woRK
OF THE RESCUE VESSELS.

OF THE RESCUE VESSELS.
st. Louis. March o2-There were occasional
riffs to-day in the black cloud OF despondency
that has rested over the flooded valleys OF the
Southern rivers. Several points report the water
at a stand, and In two cases slight falls have
occurred
Al Memphis the Government gauge showed
thirty-seven feet. fall OF an inch in twenty four
hours. AT Nashville the river receded two feet.
and all danger there is passed. AT Cairo ILL.,
and Caruthersville. Mo-. the water is about sta
tionary
The city Of Memphis Relief Committee issued
the following to-day:
The sufferers by floods in Eastern Arkansas. Low.
e1 par Missssppi ana the Stands IN the Mississippi
Many & Of them are actually in need OF aid. Some
news cannot as yet be determined.
Memphis SO far has through Il berality sum.
10 continue the good work for a while.
We are receiving contributors from many gener-
our deepest thanks
The uncertainty as to the length of time the pres
mittec hesitate as to what course Il should pursue
In seeking aid. We recoenize the fact that an au-
thenic call from for aid VIII receive prompt and
generous donations But we cannot afford 10 ask
II find our ability provide for the distressed
IS not equal 20 the emergency, we will so notify
RICHARD R. ABERNETII. secretary.
The rescue fleet OF five steamers is supple
mented by skiffs. fatboats dugouts and any
sort Of craft that will float. To-day the steamer
Bryan made an extended trip 10 Marion, Ark
and vicinity. and rescued twelve families Of
forty people. There no landmarks for forty
miles to guide pilots. and navgat tors are de-
pendent upon the compass and log.
There are 800 refugees cared for IN Helena
Ark. and about 4. 800 In Memphis
The thickly populated cotton lands about Rice
Vile Ark. have not been visited. The Bryan
passed there to-day and the people fired guns.
rang bells and shouted for help from the house
tops, but the steamer could not get within half
a mile Of the town The loss in live stock will
be almost total
Those desiring TO contribute 10 the relief OF
the sufferers are urged TO unite in sending re-
lief boats 10 the scene There are already food
and clothing on hand for the present needs OF
the sufferers al Helena and Memphis, but hun
dreds OF men, women and children are still
grouped around the trees and housetops ana
unless aid comes soon the exhausted people
must drop 10 death In the angry hood.
New-Orleans March 22-There was rise OF
nine inches in the river during last night anu
the water is now within one foot Of the TOD Oh
the levee Reports received from points up tHe
river as far as Vicksburg encouraging. and
II IS believed that the levees here viii be able
TO confine the flood within their banks
Cairo Ill. March 22.-The Mississippi River
was swollen by the heavy rain Of last night ana
this morning: the gauge reads hfty-one feet
Tho weather to-day Is bright and pleasant, and
the situation is encouraging Reports received
81 the Weather Bureau this morning show that
the Upper Ohio. Wabash and Cumberland rivers
are falling The Tennessee River. however. con-
tinues to rise at the rate of an inch per hour- a
relief boat left here this morning, and VIII pro-
ceed 10 Memphis. picking up refugees en- route
Memphis Tenn. March 22.-The river is fall
ing slightly to-day Another rise is expected to-
night. however. in consequence of heavy rains
predicted for late this afternoon. The health
authorities are considerably agitated over the
condition Of the refugees who are packed 10.
gether in narrow quarters. Already score OF
children are suffering from measles "Hich
threaten to become epidemic
Jackson Tenn. March 22.-Never before has
the Forked Deer River been so high as II is here
now. The food Is indeed alarming. Great dam
age Is being done TO property. Several disas-
trous breaks in the leyees around the city have
occurred The Illinois Central Railroad bridge,
spanning the river. is in great danger Inere
bes baen considerable loss Of life. The flood has
also rlaVed havoc with the Nashville, Chatta-
nooga and St. Louis road. Its big orldge span
ming the Big Hatchie River, twenty mies W.
- hera has been washed away ana no trains
from Memphis can reach here. Trains from the
East do not get any further than this city
sioux CITY. Iowa March 22.-The Missouri
River is falling slightly here to-day, as resu.'
Of two tig gorges near Yankton' Keslder'7
oto,.a that noint are praying that the jams may
break. Those here fear the sudden gong OF 'he
Too may create havoc further down. the YER
r,i,,ion gorge washed out while the stream was
risirg In the eastern part Of this (Woodour)
county the Little Sioux River is SUI CAUSING
~ ,hr Immediate vicinity of Sioux CITY the
,,.Irs+ seems over The Big Sioux Is stiI hieh'
t,,t Falling and the Floyd is comparatively quiet