The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-28
FIGHTS AGAINST THE FLOOD.
EVERY ABLE-BODIED MAN ON THE
LEVEES AT GREENVILLE.

Gov. McLaurin Goes to the Scene.
The Mayor Issues Proclamation
Calling ON Every business Man to
Close His store and Go to the
Levee-The Water Falling Slowly
at CairO-The Danger Line over
Ieaped by the Water at New Or
leans.
Jackson, Miss, March PA special from
Greenville 70 the Evening Clarion-Ledger
says: To-day is one of feverish anxiety,
and 1t may be said the crisis is now on,
The mayor issued proclamation warn
ing all merchants to close their places of
business to-day and calling every able
bodied man to the levee. At this hour
the city is almost deserted of 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. Gov. McLaurin and the Off
cials of railroads are lending every assist
ance. The condition is critical, but hope
full
f. c. Nelson of this city, who is largely
interested in delta farming operations and
is agent for many thousand acres of land
in the great valley, returned from Green
vile last night. He says the water was
over the levees proper yesterday evening"
but was being held in check by sacks of
sand and dirt piled on top, and the heroic
people were still hopeful of their ability
to hold the fort. The town of Greenville
was then several feet below the water lew
el, and one standing on the street of the
town could see the huh of steamboats,
above them. The sight of so much water
was simply appalling
Cairo. ILL.,, March 27.-The river is falling
slowly at this point. There is strong
breeze. which causes high waves to break
against the levees, and occasions some
alarm, but it is believed the embank-
ments are strong enough to withstand the
swells.
Reports received from up the Ohio
state that the river is falling at the rate
of an inch per hour and the danger is
believed to be over, so far as the floods
in the Ohio river are concerned.
New Orleans, La, March 27.-The water
has steadily risen here until the danger
line was passed this morning, and the
water now touches the 45la-foot mark at
Canal street
All the merchandise has been removed,
and no danger is apprehended unless the
Memphis, Tenn, March 27-With no
! alarming volume of water sweeping on
| from the upper rivers and the river here
| and at various other important points on
the declines Vie acute stage of the flood
here is probably past. There is great un-
| easiness, however, and not without cause
at Greenville. Miss, and Helena, Ark. At
| the former place to-day there was intense
| alarm in consequence of which a call for
| volunteers went out from Gov. McLaurin,
| who has gone to that place, and the mayor
| also issued a proclamation calling atten-
| ton to the grave peril of the city and urg-
| ing business men to close their places and
| report with al their able-bodied male help
for service on the shaky levees Both calls
brought results, and a large sized army
! is combating the waters encroachments.
| The opinion tonight is that their efforts
will prevail. The only weak place in the
! Mississippi levee so far as Greenvlle is
| advised, is at Australia and there is con-
| ffdence of holding it up.
| At several points, however, the water Is
| flush with the levee tops and in some
! places flowing over On the Arkansas
side small break is reported al Boggy
Bayou 1t was doubtless very small, for
no alarm appears to be felt.
At Westover, below Helena, there has
| been serious sloughing, which may result
in collapse. So much of the Modoc levee
as remaips intact is being guarded by de-
| termined men, who say it shall not be cut
by levee board officials, or any one else.
There was heavy sloughing of the levee
| below Gunnison. Miss, to-day, extending
| to its center but heroic efforts have thus
far contrived to save the balance.
The Birds Point, Mo-, situation is Sc
rious. Some thirty or more houses have
been washed from their foundations and
| in those that remain there is from an inch
| to five feet of water.