Evening star., 1897-04-12
New Orleans Awaiting the Crest Of
the Flood Wave.
WEAK SPOTS FOUND IN TEE LEVEE
Forces Have Been Hard at Work
Day and Night.
DISTRIBUTION OF RELIEF

NEW ORLEANS. La. April 12.-Each
day now adds a few inches to the rivers
height and the long-expected crest of the
flood wave IS on the move. 1t ought to
reach here in a few days.
+ In the meantime the anxiety is increas-
ing all along the line for more weak spots
are developing. From north Louisiana
comes the news that the Biggs levee. below
Eicksburg. sustained a terrific attack and
nearly succumbed. but relief was prompt.
From just above New Orleans comes the
news of three weak spots almost in a row,
one iI st. Charles parish and the other two
at Hanson City and Camp Parapet. A
break at either of the two points would in
volve considerable Illinois Central property
and send the water knocking at the door of
New Orleans. However. there is a pro-
lection levee just above the city, reaching
clear across from the river to the lake, SO
that the water would run into the latter
body The city Is protected against rise
In the lake by n costly system of levees
another weak spot is on the opposite
bank OF the river just below the city, but
large forces have been at work there for
three days and nights. A section of the
levee at the old Ames crevasse. just above
Gretna, Is also showing weakness but
the Texas and Pacific is holding the line
while Gretra. by volunteer citizens move
ment, is building an earthen wall around
herself The danger is increasing daily,
but that Is only an incentive for harder
work and the Louisiana line is still in
tact.
Distribution of Relief.
MEMPHIS. Tenn. April 12.-This morn
ing Lieutenant Rowan. in company with
Captain Fitch. left the city with the steam
er Itaska- Helena is the objective point.
Captain Fitch will make another inspec-
tion of the 1evees. while Lieutenant Rowan
will aid in the proper distribution of sup
plies purchased with part Of the govern
ment appropriation.
Controller Bowler at Washington has
wired his Interpretation of the resolution
appropriate $2GO,00O for the sufferers In
his opinion the sum may be expended not
only for supplies for man, but for feed for
cattle. stock, etc.
This tides the officers over an embarrass-
ing point.
The army officers are now stationed as
follows: Colonel Sanger is on St Francis
river. Captain Davis is In Memphis, Lieu
tenant Carnahan, st. Francis river, and
Lieutenant Crowley at Helena and above.
Scene Along the Missouri.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa. April 12-Capt
Could of the government rife service has
arrived in Sioux City after a trip down
the Missouri from Pierre IN the govern
ment steamer Josephine. In speaking OF
the flood condit ions he said:
Cutting of the banks Is most serious al
several points above Sioux City Large
areas Of farm land have gone into the cur
rent. and shculd extensive changes take
place In the channel, as there seems now
reason to anticipate, still greater damage
VIII be done The river is 50 high now
that ii has had little opportunity to un-
dermine the banks. When 1t goes down
and begins cutting under them the worst
Is to be expected
The Missouri river was very threatening
yesterday afternoon, bat is stationary this
morning, and from reports about il, is
expected to fall. During Sunday the h,gh-
est water of the season here on the Big
Muddy was reached. The water was even
with the top of the banks. and as many
jobbing houses are located on the river
front and a few inches further rise would
have brought the water three doorstep.
high. considerable anxiety was felt
Threatening Rise of the Missouri.
OMAHA. Neb.. April 12-The Missouri
river has risen rapidly here since Saturday,
and Is higher now than at any time since
1881, the year of the great flood. At noon
the government gauge showed III feet
above mean low water mark. At the pump
ing station. seven miles up the river. the
channel Is confined. the gauge shows 1908
feet. The water is spreading over the bot
toms, and the factories along the river
banks are taking steps for precaution. The
water Is still rising.