Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-04-21
THE FLOOD SITUATION.

Memphis, Tenn, April 20.-The riv-
er at Vicksburg, Helena, Natchez and all
along from st. Joseph, La, TO Bayou
Sawa, La. is reported either stationary
or falling, tonight. This condition is
the result of the vast amount OF water
passing through the crevasses at Biggs
and Reeds levees, above Natchez and at
Hancocks, below. The levee in the i'm
mediate vicinity of Natchez continues
to hold under the great strain, but their
holding is now of little interest to the
planters in Concordia, Tensas and Mad
ison parishes as the water backed up
from the breaks above and below Will
soon flood the rich lands of these par
ishes, and the result will be almost as
disastrous as if other breaks should oc-
cur. The Red and Tennas rivers are
now swelling and almost running over
their banks, and by tomorrow they Will
begin spreading over a section OF thirty
miles TO the interior. Work continues
on the levees, however, without abate-
ment and everything possible is being
done to hold the remainder of the levee
system intact. Refugees continue to
flock into the principal towns of the
Mississippi and st. Francis deltas, and
the relief committees are taxed to their
utmost to provide for the wants OF the
destitute. At Mmphis the river con-
tnues to fall. Reports from Greenville,
Rosedale and Cairo state that an encour-
aging decline is noted
Vicksburg, April 20.-News Of the
deplOrable situation in the country back
of Coons Landing, La, where people
are reported drowning in a region mac
cessible to by steamers, reached here
early this morning. and Major Willard
was at once notified. He took in the
situation with the utmost energy, and
three hours later United States steamer
Vedette, with an increased crew and a
dozen or more sliffs left for the scene
of disaster. Captain Decker, with the
steamer Florence, arrived at a. m,
and confirmed the report which he him
self had sent. The back country, where
the need is so great, is very low and is
being flooded by the Biggs crevasse. 1t
is about forty miles from Vicksburg.
The Florence came in loaded with fugi-
tives. She and the Meigs have been plac-
supplies.
The crevasses reported opposite Rodney
and Coon's Landing are unconfrmed.
NATCHEZ. Miss. April 2O-A terrible
tale of woe came from Bayou Videl. in the
lower portion of Madison parish. The
water from the Biggs crevasse caught
the people there unprepared and unaware
of danger. Word was sent out from that
locality requesting that boats be sent
there at once as the people were drown
ing. How many were actually drowned
IS unknown. but Thomas Blacknian his
wife and infant are known to have been
knowned and Mr.. T. H. Kells came near
losing his life in attempting to save them.
1t is believed others have per'Shed.
Boats have been sent TO the fated To-
cality.
NEW ORLEANS. April 2O.-The river is
1S9 feet above low water mark this morn
ing. and the feeling of uneasiness has no
where subsidized. The fine weather has
given ample opportunity to make hard
work the outlet for the general excite
ment. and thousands of men are at work
in the city and country. Besides the con-
slant strengthening of the banks, many
armed men patrol the levees a might TO
prevent the other fellow from cutting
them With three breaks in Louisiana
added TO those in Mississippi the situation
should be somewhat relieved for the rest
OF the S-ction. but the crest of the flood
wave has been lost somewhere and fear
will not allay until gauges show drop
of at least two feet.