Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-03-18
THE HIGH WATER.
The Flood In the Mississippi Valley
Growing Very SeriouA
MANY LIVES are REPORTED LOST.
People Lined Up on Railroad Tracks Ovss
which Waves Sweep and Threaten to
Carry Them OR-The Memphis
Relief Committee Busy.

MEMPHIS, Tenn, March 17.--The
Mississippi river at Memphis last night
gagged a fraction over 1865 feet, a rise
of over one-tenth since morning. The
river continues to rise steadily. Two
Lives are known to have been lost dur
ing the day. Two negroes who live
near Marion, Ark, attempted to cross
Mound lake in a dugout, when they
were caught by the mighty current,
their boat capsized and they were
swept away. The change in the
situation in the past - hours has
been steadily for the worse in
every respect SO far as the food and
the food victims are concerned. Lo-
calities that were expected up to the
last moment to Withstand the overflow
are at last under water. People who
thought they were safe from the angry
river find themselves hemmed in and
their danger is greater because Of the
confidence that prevented them from
providing against it.
From every direction come reports
Of unexpected and unprecedented dis
aster. Over at Marion and the ad-
jacent country 400 people are reported
to be lined up on the railroad track,
over which occasional waves sweep
that threaten to carry off the desperate
people and live stock that there find a
precarious foothold. Along the other
railroads leading out Of this city into
Arkansas similar condition exists.
On Presidents island, where 1t was
supposed that all persons in danger
had been carried off Monday night, it is
learned that from 50 to 100 people were
yesterday morning standing in the
water and praying for the sight of
boat that would take them off. From
Island Forty came reports that the
water is everywhere, and human be-
ings and dumb brutes are huddled to-
gether wherever shallow water offers
standing places.
There are many other points from
which come appeals for aid. 1t may
easily be understood, therefore, that
the relief committee which has been
established in this city has its hands
full Of work. This work is being
looked after without delay neverthe-
less. All the local river craft have
been requisitioned for this duty, and
Capt. Fitch, in charge Of the United
States feet, has placed every steam
vessel and barge in his command at
the disposal OF the committee. Barges
are carried wherever necessary. Near.
ly 1000 people have been brought
to this city already from the over
flowed country. 0nlya few of these
are white, and all such have been able
to take care of themselves on arrival
as we'll as to extend hand to the ne.
groes who come in their train. But
most of the refugees are negroes who
saved nothing but the clothes on Their
backs, and maybe some stock, the lat.
ter being an incumbrance rather than
an assistance in the matter of finding
food and accommodations in town.
Many rumors of wholesale drowning
are current, but these cannot be veri
fed. A well-defned report reached
here that five colored people had per
ished near Marion and a colored man
and child are known to have been
drowned at West Memphis, The con
ditions are undoubtedly such that there
will be innumerable fatalities before
long unless the helpless ones are re-
lieved.