Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-03-20
FLOODS,
Water, Water, Everywhere!
Great Devastation and the End Not
Yet-LOss of Life.

rumors are aloat as to the breaking Of
the levees above and below the city,
causing serious damage to property
and stock. So far these reports have
not been verified in full, but sufficient
is known to warrant the statement
that before nightfall an additional
2OJ square miles Of territory will be
submerged.
In the territory covered by life
steamers appalling facts came tolight.
Drowning of negroes are officially re-
ported until the number now reaches
almost half a hundred.
The relief committee thus far has
ample funds TO feed and clothe all
the afflicted in the city. kilograms
from points IS miles south of this
place ask for steamers TO rescue the
people left by the last trip OF the
boats. Two steamers were dispatched
east and west and are expected to re-
turn at midnight with several hun
dred persons.
A dispatch from Washington auth
orized government engineers to lend
men to further protection of life and
property. The river is still rising.
A family of six found a watery
grave by the capsizing of a dugout
while making for high land. Two
infants. Along the Memphis levees,
for half a mile, there is a congrega-
tion of negroes awaiting their turn
for relief. No one is refused.
ABOVE THE oHIo RIVER.
St. Louis, March 2O.-The levee on
the Mississippi, fifty miles below Ca
ruthersyllle, Mo-, in the xetreme
southeastern part, is reported broken
and seventeen lives are reported lost.
The river confines to rise at Caruth-
ersville, and the pressure on the livee
is great. Allfthe weak spots are be-
ing strengthened, but the work is
Handicapped by rain. Many families
living on the river bank have aban-
doned their homes and taken refnge
at CarutherSville. a large amount
of stock has been lost on the Tennes
see side of the river, the entire bot
tom for miles being inundated.
The levee near Cottonwood, about
eight miles from Charlottesville, is ex
pected to break and overflow thai
part Of the country.
UNPRECEDENTED FLOOD.
WASHINGTON, March 20.-Tht
heavy rains of the past As hours in the
central valleys will cause a continued
rise of the Cumberland, Tennessee
Lower Ohio and Mississippi river.
and intensity of the threatened flood
conditions previously anticipated.
1t is reported the floods in the
Lower Mississippi valley during the
next ten days or two weeks will In
many places equal or exceed any pre-
vious year.
Additional warning is given resi-
dents in the threatened districts Of
Louisiana, Arkansas and West Mis-
sissippi to remove from the region o.
danger.
IN WISCONSIN.
RICHLAND CENTER, Wis, March 20
The worst food in years prevails
here. The water is running through
the streets. Cellars are filled an(
sewers %oYerflowed. Teams and mel
are banking up the river which is ris
ing fast. Mills and lumber yards ar,
in great danger.
BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis, Marcel
20.-The black river is rising rapidly
cellars and lowlands are being flooded
Should the ice move In its presen'
sound condition great disaster will re
suit.
AT PADUCAH.
PADUCAH, KY, March 20.-Paducal
is both surrounded and invaded b.
water. Every inch OF lowland in Nc
Cracker county is covered. Ever
stream in West Kentucky is out OF il
banks. The streets are flooded
bridges swamped, houses wrecked
fences swept away and roads rendered
impossible.