Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-03-27
THE BIG MISSISSIPPI FLOOD
Levees on the Lower Mississippi Are
Melting Away.

Memphis, Tenn, March 22.-To what
point will the river rise here, and what
sort of havoc is impending? These arei
questions which the public has referred
To the future as the only source Of in
formation. There is certainly no pre-
sent indication OF a let-up in the SWELL
which is progressing at the rate of
something like half an inch in twenty
four hours. with a prospect Of increasing
its upward motion in view OF the ex-
treme favorable conditions. Through
out this district there la been scarcely
a ray of sunshine since asst Sunday
morning, and few and brief let-up in the
rainfall 1t is raining hard m has
been doing so all day. A half-inch rise
on the Memphis gauge means an enor-
nous volume of water pouring down,
since IL covers a surface OF at least thir-
ty miles.
From Helena south. confined within
~levees. there canno fail to result disas-
ter that cause a shudder to contem-
plate. The gauge registers 1913.
At a low estimate there are now in
Memphis between 1000 and 1900 refu-
gees from the overlooked regions of
al attd bldiluS IiOftu anu SOutn,
and these are being provided for as lib
orally as conditions will permit. Aid is
extended through organized channels
including lodging and food. with cloth
ing where necessity exists. Most OF
these charges are colored, but in his
work there Is no distinction. The strain
is becoming rather severe.
Yesterday the relief committee wired
Governor Jones Of Arkansas, calling at
tention to the condition OF the refugees
from his state, asking for state aid and
also suggesting that he wire Arkansas
congressman to seek government aid.
There was not ven a tinge of compass
sion in the governors brief reply, as fol-
lows:
There are no funds at my disposal for
relief Of flood sufferers. I can do moth
ing to aid YOU"
Upon receipt OF this surprising re-
sponse the committee issued an open
letter to merchants, farmers and citi-
gems of Mississippi. Arkansas and Ten
nessee, asking aid in maintenance of
refugees and their live stock.
The rumored drowning Of five people
from a bridge reported was confirmed.
The family consisted of mother and four
children. the oldest 16 years and young
EST 8 months. They were walking across
Lloyd's ~trestle. on h Memphis, Kan
sas and Birmingham road, toward Ma.
rion, and fell through. Thus far there
hav been no casualties reported, bur
hundreds of imperiled people have been
brought to this city, 140 coming In lass
evening on the Iron Mountain train.
Some half dozen local steamers and
numerous skiffs are going day and
night, wherever distress reports direct,
and 1t Is felt that about all the endan.
gered within reach OF Memphis are re.
lieved.
There was a break in the levee near
Charlottesville, at least private reporta
class 1t as a break. The levee board de-
clares that the lsyee was cut. but this
Is difficult to understand, in view of the
close guard maintained. The extent Of
the break Is unknown.
Captain Fitch. United States engi-
neering corps, was advised from Wash
ington that the war department has
placed SIC. 1000 to his credited in MAIN
tanning lsvees. Within the last day or
two arrangements have been made by
the weather bureau 10 get daily river
bulletins from several additional sta
lions. Among those OF special impor-
lance Is the record OF the rise at Marked
Tree. Ark. On the 81. Francis river.
This river Is one of the principal feed
ers Of the Mississippi on the Arkansas
side. and a large territory contiguous
Is overlooked by fits waters. SO that the
rise or fall Of the river at this point II
OF immediate interest.
A special from Florence. Ala. says
the Tennessee at that point Is rising two
inches an hour. the gauge showing
twenty-seven feet. approaches TO the
bridge being under water. A four inch
rain has fallen there within me past
t~wenty-four hours. and 1t 10 still yaiu-
ing hard. Measured in dollars the
amount Of property thus far Destroyed
Ivy tho hood Is perhaps not extensive.
because b thousands Of victims ere e
the farming and laboring classes q
eastern Arkansas counties and rlvsg
islands nrs III " here In Tennessee