Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-03-24
The MISSISSIPPI FLOOD.
The Situation Is Growing More
Serious.
Hundreds Of Refugees Cared For In Memphis
distressing Condition,

MEMPHIS, March 2O.-Alarminp re-.
ports are being received in this CITY TO-
night of breaks in the levees both north
and south of Memphis. Government
officials state that the levee broke at
San Souci, Ark, late last night and n
great torrent is pouring into the low
lands OF Arkansas, adding to the misery
and suffering already prevalent there.
Other reports are to the effect that the
levee has broken between Memphis and
Helena, but nothing definite can be
learned as yet. 1t is known, however,
that the river is pouring over the levee
at Modoc, near Helena, Ark, and a break
is ~momentarily expected.
While the river is reported as station
airy at Memphis by the weather bureau,
the situation is regarded as the most Sc
rious since the big flood set in. OF the
eleven railroads entering this city it is
learned tonight that all but two are tied
up on account of the deluge. The Kan
sas City, Memphis and Birmingham
sent its regular night train on its east
ward journey, and the Illinois Central
is reported all clear to New Orleans.
Tonight positive information was re-
ceived in the city to the effect that the
levee had broken at Rescue, Miss. The
break is in the outer portion Of the levee
at a point where there were two sys-
TENS, and is about opposite Sherard, on
the Riverside division of the Yazoo and
Mississippi Valley line.
The break occurred about II O'Clock
Friday night. Mr.. Burke, clerk of the
Kate Adams said that when the steamer
left there the water was running through
the crevasse like a mill race, the hole in
the embankment being 200 feet wide.
He said it made roar like that Of a cy-
clone, and was necessarily carrying
everything in front of it. There seemed
to be no hope of being able to stop the
crevasse. The levee was in Mai. Dab
ney's district, and has been considered
weak ever since it was known that the
water would go above the danger line
in that vicinity. Maj. Dahney has sent
a number Of sacks and other supplies
from Memphis down the Yazoo and
Mississippi Valley line to Sherard to use
in fighting the water there and to
strengthen the back levee.
Tho official bullatin Sant an. L.. Al
weather bureau tonight indicates that
the river has remained stationary dur
ing thirty six hours ending tonight.
In the face of the warning sent out
from Washington Yesterday calling
upon residents of the districts threaten
ed by floods to prepare for an even
greater rise during the next ten DAYS,
the fact that the river has been station
airy during the past twenty four hours,
and that the local weather bureau pre-
diets in this mornings bulletin that the
river will in all probability continue
stationary during the next twenty four
hours, can not be taken as indicating
that the crest Of the high water has
been reached, or that the cessation in
the rise Is to be followed in the neal fu-
ture by any marked fall.
The abatement Of the heavy rainfalls
during the past twenty four hours in the
districts which drain into the rive and
swell the flood is encouraging, though
the warnl weather prevailing in the
northwest, threatening a speedy thaw
in the now and ice of that rGgion,is ON
nous.
The relief boats continue TO make
regular trips over the districts both
above and below the city, rescuing peo-
pie and stock, which are being brought
to Memphis, where the refugees and
stock rescued are being cared for. The
members of the relief committee find it
necessary to give almost their entire
time to this work. 1t has been thorough
ly s~ystematiZed and is being carried on
in the most business like manner
Citizens are reminded that all kinds of
cast of clothing can be put to good use,
as many of the refugees are without a
change of clothing when they are picked
up and brought to the city. Clothing OF
all kinds, for men, women and children
OF all ages, hats and shoes are needed to
supply the necessities of the unfortu-
nate ones who are landed upon the river
front in such a lamentably destitute
condition.
The river is again rising at Cincinnati
and throughout the Ohio valley, due no
doubtto heavy rainfalls which prevailed
throughout the district for the forty
eight hours preceding yesterday.
At Cairo the river continues to rise,
and this fact is of special interest here,
as it is well known that no cessation of
the high water IA be expected here so
long as it is rising at Cairo. This
morning the gauge at Cairo indicated
50.7 feet, which is a rise of $40 of a foot
during the twenty four hours ending
this morning. This is 1917 feet above the
danger line.
At Paducah the rise in the same period
was 40 of a foot, which is 9.3 feet above
the danger line.
At Helena a rise of Clio of a foot was
indicated this morning, which showed a
height of 1873 feet above low water,
which is lis feet above the danger line.
At G%reenville a big rise occurred dur
ing the twenty four hours ending this
morning. This rise was l.5 feet. The
gauge indicated at this point a height
of AZ feet, which is 2 feet above the dan
ger line.
At Vicksburg and points along the
lower Mississippi the river is rising
steadily.