New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-05
WEAKENED LEVEES BREAK.
FRESH CREvASsEs IN THE MISSISSIPPI.
THE YELLOW FLOOD WATERS SPREADING OVER
MORE LEAGUES OF FERTILE FARM
LANDs-RELIEF WORK IN THE

MORE LEAGUES OF FERTILE FARM
LANDs-RELIEF WORK IN THE
MEMPHIS DISTRICT.
Memphis Tenn April 4--Another disastrous
break in the Mississippi levee occurred this morn
Ing at o'clock at Flower Lake. six miles below
Tunica. Miss The crevasse. which is not yet OF
great width is fully fifteen feet deep. and the
water is pouring through the opening with fear
ful velocity. This probably will be the most de-
structive break that has occurred In the Delta.
The most fertile farm lands of Mississippi lying
in Coahoma. LAHORE. Quitman and Tallahatchie
counties, in the northern portion OF the State,
will be inundated, and the newly planted corn
crops will be laid waste. Fortunately no loss OF
life is reported, the inhabitants Of this stricken
section having made preparations for just such
catastrophe as exists to-day.
The condition Of the poorer classes throughout
the flooded is indeed critical tonight. Thou
sands Of refugees being huddled on levees
and spots Of land waiting for relief. The towns
OF Rosedae and Tunica report that everything
possible is being done for these poor people but
that funds and provisions fast becoming ex-
hausted. In the little city OF Rosedale alone
100 refugees are being cared for by the citizens.
Half hundred towns tonight stand in six feet
of water. and the yellow stream is creeping up
slowly but surely
Advices just received tell Of a break In the levee
ten miles south Of Helena. Ark. This Is the levee
for which the people Of Southeastern Arkansas
have made such desperate fight. The waters
from this break will food great area, and in all
probability will back up into the streets of
Helena
The relief steamer Ora Lee arrived at Marian
na Ark. late this afternoon. having made an
tbo CT "
on board 160 refugees and 200 head of cattle.
The steamer went up the St. Francis River as
far Cutoff, and then worked her way down
stream, TesCuing people from pcrilous positions.
The suffering along the st Francis River is ap-
pang. The water throughout the entire neigh
boring country is tonight from q to IL feet deep
The relief boat had on board the body OF Mrs:
McMain. of RaggiO City. The body was found
at Raggio. and it taken to Mariana for
burial. there being no land at the former place
on which to bury il.
The St Francis is rising from three to five
inches daily. At Memphis tonight the river is
slowly rising again. the gauge registering 364
feet This is a rise Of One-tenth since the last
report. At points below Nicksburg, the river Is
rising. II is The general opinion Of old river men
here that if the levees below Vicksburg hold the
great volume of water in the regular channel ii
will ne little short Of miraculous
Washington, April 4-Professor Willis l..
Moore, Chief Of the Weather Bureau, tonight
issued this special river bulletin:
The following reports have been received to-
day from the Department Of Agriculture
Weather Bureau officials IN charge OF river dis
tricts
St Louis-Less rain has fallen than antci-
pated and rise will be slow. More water will
come out Of the Missouri River by Tuesday.
Cairo. Il-River has risen one-tenth Of
foot since Saturday morning. 1t is now on
stand at 5O4. Deep water increased by heavy
rains. is I'm some few places upon the side"alks
Of graded streets.
Memphis-T'he flood situation shows no i'm
provennent and in the vicinity of Helena it is
hourly becoming more critical Owing TO heavy
rains in this section the river at Memphis shows
a slight rise, but no marked change is expected
al present
Helena. Ark-River 51S5 feet; rainfall,
50 10Oths Of an inch. Levee broke four miles
below town. and will flood the city. Damage in
the country will he great. but in the city light
vicksburg Miss-Crevasse reported at Flower
Lake Miss. six miles below Austin, Tunica
County.
New-Orleans- River rising l7.S This is with
in one-tenth Of a foot of the highest water ever
previously recorded.
Heavy rains have occurred in the last twenty
four hours in the watersheds of the Arkansas
Cumberland and Tennessee. and along the Cen
tral Mississippi River; heavy rains or SHOWS in
the upper Missouri and light rains In the upper
and lower Mississippi and Ohio RIVERS.
The Mississippi has risen from ST Paul 10 tne
mouth except a fall of one-tenth at KeokuK 81.
Louis and VicksburG. 1t is above the danger
line at St Paul and Lacrosse.
Jackson. Miss. April 4.-Governor McLaurin
continues to make diligent inquiry touching
destitute food sufferers. He will. perhaps.
no comnellcd TO state to Secretary of War Alger
that the amount of $4,000 mentioned In his tele-
gram last night will be wholly inadequate 10
alleviate the want and suffering
J. w. Cutrer. Of Coahoma. a nenper or the
Yazoo-M Mississippi Levee District Board. Is mere
and saws that he does not expect the waters 10
abate before May 10 The people are Worklhg
dav and night TO keep the levees intact More
convictg were sent there tonight. The Governor
is doing all In his power for the flood sufferers.