New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-17
CRISIS OF THE FLOOD NEAR.
THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI STILL RISING
STEADILY.
GRAVE FEARS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE LEvEEs
IN MANY PLACEs-EXAGGERATED REPORTS
OF LOSS OF LIFE AT DAVIS
IsLAND-sITUATIoN on THE
UPPER RIVER M
PROVING

Memphis Tenn. April 16.-Advices from
Natchez and other points below Vicksburg in
dicate that the supreme test in the flood situa-
tion is near The swift current is rising steadily
and beating against the levees with such force
as to cause the gravest apprehension at many
places. At Natchez the river is near the top Of
the levee. All kinds of rumors have been cur
rent to-day regarding wholesale loss of life
DAVIS Island, but dgent telegra phic inquiry
rails to confirm the story. 1t is known that three
negroes were drowned the island. but aside
from these. no loss of life is known to have oc-
Cured.
AT Nicksburg the river is rising at the rate Of
four-tenths of foot daily. The swift volume
OF water pouring out OF the Yazoo into the Mis-
sissippi at point twelve miles north of Vicks-
burg will continue for several days The levees
between Bedford Store. four miles south OF
Delta. La, TO DuckpOrt six miles above are in
precarious condition. and every man and boy
available is at work strengthening the embank-
ment AT some points in this stretch OF levees
the water is washing over and the greatest alarm
is felt more cheerful feeling exists in the
delta tonight
Al Greenville the backwate- from stops Land
ing crevasse, which has been rising in the flooded
part Of the town for the last three davs is sta
tionary. and will begin to fall tomorrow Rose
dale. Frars Point, Helena and other places
IL
tion. The river fell one-tenth Of foot at Green
Vile to-day. and the fall of two-tenths OF foot
reporter at caro- gives hope that the flood will
recede iii time TO make a good crop
Al Memphis the river is stationary. Encour-
aging accounts OF the Improvement in the cOnd-
ton OF the overhowed territory above Memphis
are coming in There is a marked Improvement
and the outlook on the upper river is cheerful.
New Orleans, April 1G.-"Nineteen feet by
April 20" says the Weather Bureau as far as
New-Orleans is concerned. 1t probably will
come sooner. 1t viii not mean any danger to
the city, but water will cover the wharves and
wet the adjacent streets. The railroads are al
ready elevating their tracks. and platforms have
been built at stations. but the steamboats, COM
plain that no provisions have been made for
them. The entire wharf front will probably
have to be rebuilt and raised.
The louisiana line is 5till holding. strange to
say though rises of three inches and more day
quite common. 1t looks as If the limit OF
endurance or height must come soon. much
higher river will wash many of the banks.
and in their present softened condition they will
be so badly soaked that 1t is question Of their
ability To bear the weight against them. Still
the work going on all along the line will help
cut in the crisis The flood wave has about
reached the Fifth District. and if that and the
Tensas pass muster there is no reason why the
levees between Baton Rouge and New-Orleans
should not escape a second break Bayou
La Fourche is not creating much alarm. There
is now a crevasse on each side Of the bayou,
but the water could not have picked out better
spots running off into large areas of swampy
lands 1t has reduced the height OF the bayou.
and if the planters hold the rest OF the line
many valuable plantations will be saved.