The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-04-08
An APPEAL FOR AID.
Letter Sent Out by the Relief
Committee.
THE FLOOD VICTIMS IN DISTRESS.
Memphis Taking Care of Hundreds of
Refugees and Every Steamer Adds to
the List stiu Work. g on the Levees.
Floods In the Northwest.


MEMPHIS, April 6.-The prediction
made in these dispatches Friday that
great disaster TO the Mississippi delta
would follow the breaking of the levee
at point on the east side of the river
north of Helena, Ark, has been terri.
bly, realized.
The break at Flower Lake has rapidly
grown from a dozen feet in length to a
thousand. Effort is being made to tie
each end of the levee, but owing to the
difficulty in getting material from the
railroad five miles away the success of
the effort is doubtful. This crevasse is at
the head of the delta and will cause an
overflow of the northern tier of counties
in Mississippi with the exception of a
part of Tunica.
The question that now confronts the
planters is the duration of the flood. II
the water is out of the delta by May 8 a
crop of cotton may be grown, but cot
ton planted as late as May 10 has little
chance of maturing before frost. There
is still another danger. These crevasses
must all be closed before the June rise
or there will be second overflow The
delta country produces annually no less
than 800, 900 bales of cotton.
Much suffering is reported from the
overhowed regions. Relief steamers
are making daily trips into Arkansas
City and Mississippi. rescuing hundreds
of people and bringing them to Mem.
phis. The local relief committee is do
ing everything possible for the unfor-
tunate refugees. At meeting of the
committee it was decided to ask other
cities for help. The following appeal
was issued
"The city of Memphis has been pro-
viding for the distressed mood sufferers
from the overfiowed dis riots of Arkan-
sas and Mississippi with some little
outside assistance for several weeks.
Few Tennesseeans are in need, but the
demands on Memphis for others are
very great and are increasing every day.
Indeed the demands on our people have
grown to such proportions that we feel
unable to meet them alone. Hereto
fore we have attempted to carry ON this
work without soliciting contributions
from other cities, although many cities
have generously given us voluntary
aid. If the kind people of other towns
and cities feel disposed to lend a help.
ing hand i'll this matter all donations
received by the relief committee will be
highly appreciated and iudiciously man
aged. Donations of meat, meal and
money are preferable. The Memphis
relief committee is well organized and
can use money to the best advantage, as
it is fully cognizant of the necessities
of the situation. All remittances should
be made to Bun f. Price, treasurer Of
the citizens relief committee, Memphis,
Tenn.
VICKsBURG, Miss, April 6.-The
break in TuniCa county is considered
by most persons here to be the climax
of ruin to the delta. Not county will
escape severe loss. Messages from Sun
flower river report terrific rise there
and three barges were sent there to
bring out stock. Upper Sunfower has
not been overfiowed in 10 years. 1t is
highly improved and besides many
large plantations is full of small farms.
occupied by a most thrifty class of
white farmers. Many of these occupy
low ground and will sustain great losses
beyond question. The river is station
ary here with 1872 on the gauge. The
city is rapidly filling up with negroes
from the delta, fleeing from the flood,
and every train adds to the number.
Fifth Louisiana district is centralizing
its efforts just now ON the Bedford
Biggs levee Just below this city. Four
hundred convicts have been brought
there and the levee is TO be raised for q
distance of $500 feet, being weak along
chat stretch. Other LOuisiona leyees
are reported in good condition.
Greenville has SO tar been able to
care for the overflow sufferers. No out
side aid has been asked or accepted In
Bolivar county, about ROsadale, there
is some suffering and aid will be thank
fully received. Governor McLaurins s
telegram to the levee board officials and
leading citizens here was answered in
substance as follows; mo government
aid needed. If distress comes and we
are unable to meet the demands upon
us we will notify you promptly"
The crevasse at Flower Lake, Miss,
has completely inundated the following
towns along the line of the Yazoo and
Mississippi railroad: Clayton, Carnes-
vile, Lulu and Coahoma
NATCHEZ, Miss, April 6.-Large forces
were put to work on the leyees in this
vicinity and nothing will be left undone
to hold them. There was fearful
storm of wind and rain and hail here.
ST. PAUL, April 6.-The river at this
point is feet above the danger line
and is still rising slowly. The flats on
the west side are mostly submerged.
The loss is chiefly to the poorer people,
who are being cared for by the city.
Yankton, 5. D., reports conditions in
the Jim valley unchanged, the river re-
naming stationary. The railroad tracks
continue to wash badly, but the bridges
are still firm. 1t will be several weeks
before the traffic is restored. The dam
age to crops will be heavy.
Crookston, Mimi, reports the Red
river at standstill. One hundred fam
lilies have vacated lhouses on lowlying
land III the city and moved to higher
ground. All communication between
Moorehead and Fargo is cut off.