The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-30
INTENSE EXClTEMENT
OVER CONDITION OF AFFAIRS
ON LOWER MISSISSIPPI

At GreenvilIe the Top Of the L~vec Reach
ed by the WAter-Steam~rs Pass Along
the River Far Abov. the Tow ,-G-eat
Fear Of the L~vee Breaking at H~i-nr.
The Water In Four Inch-. Of the Tor.
a Mighty Volume OF Water Rushl" e
Through . Break = The Danger Line
Reached at New Orlesns.
Caruthersville, No. March c7.-The
river is stationary here. The crevasse
Immediately south OF here is now three
eights OF a mile wide and pouring as
great a volume OF water into the coun-
try as the Mississippi carries al the
ordinary stage. Should the water 60
four inches higher it will overflow the
levee
Helena, Ark, March 27.-The river
here is fifty feet and slowly rising
According to government reports, the
highest water is yet to come. This
means great destruction TO property
At the mouth OF the St. Francis river,
nine miles north OF here, the Misss-
sippi is at least ten miles wide
Jackson, Miss, March PA special
from Greenville to The Evening Clar-
ion Ledger, says: To-day is one OF fe-
verish anxiety. and it may be said the
crisis is now on. The mayor has issued
a proclamation, warning all merchants
to close their places of business today
and calling every able bodied man to
the levee. At this hour the city is al
most deserted by the merchants, and
strong and brave fight is being made
along the line to hold the great en-
bankment. Special trains are being
sent out on both roads and branches to
bring in recruits. Governor McLaurin
and the officials Of railroads are lend
ing every assistance. The condition is
critical. but hopeful"
f. c. Nelson, Of this city, who is
largely interested in Delta farming
operations and is agent for many thou
sand acres OF land in the great val
ley. returned from Greenville last
night. He says the water was over the
levees proper yesterday morning, but
was being held in check by sacks OF
sand and dirt piled on top and the he
rOic people We're still hopeful OF their
ability to hold the fort. The town OF
Greenville was then several feet be-
low the water level, and one standing
Oh the streets OF the town could see
the hulls OF steamboats, above them. The
sight of 50 much water was simply ap-
palling.
Cairo, Ills, March 27.-The river is
falling slowly at this point. There is
a strong breeze, which causes high
waves to break against the levees and
occasions some alarm, but it is believ-
ed that the embankments are strong
enough to Withstand the swells.
Reports received from up the Ohio
state the river is falling at the rate Of
an inch per hour and the danger is be-
lieved to be over, so far as the floods
in the Ohio river are concerned.
New Orlans. March 27.--The water
has steadily risen here until the danger
line was passed this morning and the
water now touches the 1872 foot mark
at Canal street. All the merchandise
has been removed and no danger is ap-
pretended unless the water goes con-
sidnrably higher.
Memphis. Tam, March 27.-with no
aiarmin., volume OF water sweeping
from the upper rivers and the river
here and at various other important
points on the decline. the acute stage
OF the flood is probably past. There is
great uneasiness, however. and not
without cause, at Greanville. Mics.
and Helena, Ark. At the former place
today there was intense alarm in con-
sequence OF which call for volunteers
went out from Governor McLaurin,
who has gone to that place and the
mavor also issuing proclamation
calling attention to the grave peril OF
the city and urging business men to
close their places and report with all
their able bodied male help for ser
vice on the shakey leveee. Both calls
brought results and a large-sized army
IL combating the waters encroach-
ments. The opinion tonight Is that
their efforts will prevail The only
weak place In the Mississippi levee.
go far as Greenvil1e is advised, is at
Australia, and there is confidence OF
holding 1t up. At several points. how
ever, the water is hush with levee
tops, and in some places flowing over.
On the Arkansas side a small break is
reported at BOggy bayou. II was
doubtless very small for no harm ap-
pears to be felt. At Westover below
Helena, there has been serious slough
ing which may result in a collapse. SO
much OF the Hodoc levee as remains
intact Is being guarded by determined
men who say II shall not be cut by
levee hoard officials of any one else.
Iemphis. March 27.-There was a
heavy slouehing OF the levee below
Cunnfson. Miss. today. extending to
its centre. but heroic efforts have thus
far contrived to save the balance.
The Birds Point. Mo-. situation is
serious. Some thirty or more houses
have been washed from their founia-
fiopc and n fhoSa that reroaip there ic