The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-21
All the People Endangered by the
Crevasses OF Monday Night Rescued
by Government Steamers.
TALLULAH, La, UNDER WATER
INUNDATED BY THE TORRENT FROM
THE BIGGs LEyEE BREAK.
Situation at Memphis. Natchez. New
Orleans. st. Louis and the Mis-
souri, River Towns.

VICKSBURG. Miss. April 20.-Thanks to
the prompt measures taken by Major Will
ard. United States engineer. in dispatching
the steamer Nidette with skiffs to the coun-
Try back of Coon's Landing. il is believed
that all persons in danger will be relieved
i'm time. The Florence. returning from
there this morning. reported no cases OF
drowning I'm the back country. though there
is unquestionably great danger. and the loss
of stock is believed TO be heavy. Large
skiffs were taken by the Vidette, and these
can be put over the levees and used 10 help
the people in the interior. No more breaks
are reported, and the levees north Of this
place. for which some uneasiness has been
felt far secure. This insures the Sc
curty of East Carroll and the north half
OF Madison parish.
The work OF relief is proceeding here un-
der difficulties. the applicants being num-
erous that it is task TO systematic the
matter Ii is really impossible TO say how
many persons are in ssed. since. in addi-
tion to the large number of fugitives from
the delta and from north Louisiana, the
low land of this country is very large and
just now practically helpless, but estimates
run as high as 5000. That all available re
sources will be severely strained TO care
for them is quite evident. Private con-
tributions are still coming in and the citi-
zens are rendering liberal aid. Lieutenant
Crowley, the government officer charged
with the distribution of rations. made large
shipments to-day 10 points on the Missis-
sippi Yazoo and Sunfiower rivers.
The outlook is rather more cheerful in
other respects. every one feeling encour-
aged by the decline at Cairo. At this place
the discharge from the great basin having
its outlet here is just equal To the capacity
of the river and of the enormous crevasse
a few miles below. The water is conse-
quently stationary. In recognition OF the
vast flood i'm the delta many expect a slight
rise here The decline is as yet some weeks
away but confidence is entertained that the
water will recede in time to make a crop
In the larger part of the delta, though per-
haps not in the lower levels. The city con-
tinues crowded with refugees. In fact. they
are arriving all the time. They are most
traetable orderly people, giving the police
no trouble whatever, and their presence Is
consequently no burden. Fears are enter
tanned that a continuance of the high water
will greatly demoralize the labor system or
the lowlands but such has not been the
persons think that all will be well when the
water recedes. Advices from Davis island.
where a great many negroes are remaining,
saws that planters will be unable to supply
rations for more than two weeks hence.
The prospect of making a crop there Is very
uncertain indeed.
The Queen & Crescent officials tonight
report that Tallulah, La, the capitai OF
Madison parish. is flooded by the Bisgs
crevasse, though not deeply.