Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-09
FLOOD RELIEF WORK.
SECRETARY ALGER PUSHING III
FORWARD EARNESTLY
NEEDS0P SITUATION
Army Engineer officers Making Re-
port Thereon-The Distribution OF
RntiOns to Begin within rev
Days-FIOOd Notes.

relief for the flood sufferers, ana IN a
few days the disbursement OF the ra-
tons provided for by Congress will be-
gin. To-day the Secretary was in con-
sultation with Colonel Gillespie, presi-
dent of the Mississippi-River Commits
sion. who was summoned here by tele-
graph by the Secretary for that pur-
pose. Colonel Gillespie has just re-
turned from a visit Of inspection to the
flooded districts along the Lower Mis-
sissppi. and backed by his experience
in the matter of river improvements, was
able to give the Secretary a fair idea
OF the needs OF the situation.
IL is felt by the engineer officers that,
with the appropriation of $4,000 already
| placed at their disposal by Congress for
the protection of the Improvement works,
| they will be able to restore the broken
levees and get the river-banks into nor
NAL shape, whenever they are protect
| ed By levees constructed by the National
/ Government, and not State works. Al
ready Captain Fitch, at Memphis, has
been authorized TO draw upon the ap-
Preparation TO the extent of $4,000 for
the repairs necessary in his district,
which lies up the river from Memphis.
General Wilson, Chief of Engineers, re-
ceived reports to-day from officers OF
his corps along the river in regard to
the levees. In some cases the reports
state that the reports of~destructlon and
suffering are greatly exaggerated.
PURCHASE OF SUPPLIES.
After further consultation among the
army officers respecting the procure
! Of II no al N
make the purchases, not only at Men,
phis, but also at New Orleans and st.
Louis AT the two last-named cities,
there are already stationed officers of
the Commissary-Genera department,
and this morning Commissary General
Sullivan sent Captain Davis, one of the
best officers of his corps, from Chicago
TO Memphis, 10 superintend the purchases
to be made there. IL has been arranged
with the Citizens Relief Committee of
Memphis that the government will pro-
cure the rations and medicines, and place
them on boats to be supplied by the
Citizens Committee, in charge of an OFF,
Ger who will go along on each boat 10
make sure that a proper distribution is
made.
The attention of the Secretary of War
has been called TO the fact that under
the terms OF the resolution passed by
Congress yesterday, only ratiOns can be
purchased. 1t is regarded as absolutely
necessary to authorize the supply Of
forage and such stores to people who
have herded the few cattle and horses
remaining TO them on the leyees and
high grounds I'm the flooded districts; else
the damage may be very much heavier.
Therefore. 1t is likely that an effort will
be made TO secure the passage of an
"a he ref IN
as To permit such articles TO be supplied.
LEVEES HOLDING WELL.
NEW ORLEANS, LA, April S-The
river stands tonight at H. This is a
rise of l.0l foot I'm the last twenty-four
hours. This evening, New Orleans par
ticipated in what seems 10 have been a
pretty general rain and thunderstorm.
The levees on the river front are hold
ing ont WELL The entire river front is
being splendidly guarded. Information
from the levee and different Louisiana
districts up to o'clock tonight reports
everything holding well. Everybody is
thoroughly aroused to the cri cal aspect
of affairs.
THE CUMBERLAND.
NASHVILLE TENN, April S.-The
Cumberland has reached Is feet on the
government gauge, and is rising slowly.
A stand will be reached by morning, and
it is not believed forty-two feet will be
passed. Forty feet is the danger line.
1t is raining tonight, but IT is not eX-
pected that enough rain will fall to
check the fall in the river expected to-
morrow.
SITUATION AT KANSAS CITY.
KANSAS CITY, MO, April Sat
O'clock this evening the Missouri river
had risen to within inches of the danger
mark. According 10 the predictions OF
the local weather observer il will remain
stationary for two days or so, with a
tendency TO fall Many river men, how
ever. differ with this opinion. and think
the river will steadily rise from now on.
The Kansas river feeder, continues TO
rise. The waters are cutting into large
tracts of land on both rivers, and the
packing-houses are making active prepa-
rations for a serious flood.
DANGER OF FLOOD OVER.
OMAHA, NEB., April S.-The Missouri
river is steadily falling here, and Is now
thirteen feet above mean low-water-
three feet below the danger line. Slight
rises are reported from above, but all
danger Of food seems 10 be passed.
CONDITION STILL SERIOUS.
GREENVILLE, MISS, April s.-The
condition of affairs in this section OF the
Mississippi Valley continues serious.
Want is to-day at the door of many
aborers. The Yazoo-Mississppi delta
embraces ten counties with population
of nearly 10000 people, 70 per cent. Of
whom are farm laborers. The prompt
ness with which the Federal Govern
ment has interested itself i'm the condi-
~ no "a oil
districts has brought a strong ray OF
hope into the situation. which is at best,
however, gloomy enough.
FEDERAL AID NOT NEEDED.
FARGO. y. D.. April S-There being
a diversity Of opinion as 10 the matter
OF receiving aid from Congress for the
flood sufferers, Mayor Johnson. of this
city, called meeting Of citizens this eve
ming TO discuss the question. The meet
ing was an enthusiastic one, and great
Indignation was felt among those pre-
sent regarding the exaggerated reports
sent out regarding the floods. Secretary
of-War Alger was wired that Fargo was
very grateful for the preferred aid, but
none was needed. Senator Hansbrough,
CONGRESSMAN Johnson, and Senator
Roach were also wired TO the same effect.
FLOOD SITUATION UNCHANGED.
MEMPHIS, TENN, April s.-Telegrams
received tonight from the Hooded areas
Of the Mississippi delta report the situa-
ton unchanged. a heavy rain, accom-
panied by a strong northwest wind, mas
prevailed all the afternoon. Information
from the Flower Lake crevasse SAYS the
break is LOO feet wide Every effort Is
being made TO tie the ends of the levee.
The town Of Lulu is entirely shut our,
except by telegraph.
To-day was ration-day for the destitute
refugees at Rosedale, and more poverty
stricken band of negroes than those
gathered at the place OF distribution
would be hard to picture. Only those VINO
were known to be actually in need were
supplied.