Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-04-06
HOW MUCH LONGER?
THAT Is THE QUESTION THAT IS
WORRYING FLOOD VICTIMS.
COTTON CROP is THREATENED.
WATER LIKELY To DELAY PLANT
ING UNTIL TOO LATE.
Crevnsse at Flower Lake Now 1000
Feet Long-Great Numbers of Ref
ugees stiiI BEING Taken to
Memphis-An Appeal
for Aid. gG

Memphis, Tenn, April 5.-The prediction
made in these dispatches Friday that great
disaster to the Mississippi delta would fol-
low the breaking of the IeNce at point
on the east side OF the5river north OF Hell
ena Ark has been terribly realized. The
break at Flower lake, which occurred yes
terday morning, has rapidly grown from a
dozen feet in length to a thousand. This
was the condition Of the crevasse this aft
eTnoon at o'clock, when an Associated
Press representative left the levee north OF
the break An effort is being made 70 tie
each end of the leyee, but owing TO the
difficulty in getting material from the rail-
road four miles away, the success of the
effort is doubtful This -erevasse is at the
head of the delta and will cause an over
flow OF the northern tier of counties in
Mississippi, with the exception of part of
Tunica. The question that now confronts
the planters is the duration of the flood
If the water is out of the delta by May 5.
a crop of cotton can be grown, but cotton
planted as late as May 10 has little chance
of maturing before frost.
There is still another danger. These Gre
vases must all Jbe closed before the June
rise or there will be a second overflow.
The delta country produces annually no
less than 900 bales of cotton.
The river at Memphis is stationary to-
night. Much suffering is reported from the
overtiowed regions. Relief steamers are
sissippi, rescuing hundreds of people and
bringing them TO Memphis. The local re-
lief committee is doing everything possible
for the unfortunate refugees. At meet
iBg of the committee late this afternoon it
was decided to ask other cities for help.
The following appeal was issued:
THE city of Memphis has been providing
for the distressed Hood sufferers from The
overflowed districts of Arkansas and Mis-
sissippi, with some little outside assist
ance, for several weeks. Few TenneSseeanS
are in need. but the demands on Memphis
for others are very great, and are increas-
ing every day. Indeed, the demands on our
we feel unable to meet them alcne. Here
tofore we have attempted to carry on this
work without soliciting contributions from
other cities. although many cities have gen.
erously given us voluntary aid. II the kind
people of other towns and cities feel dis
posed to lend helping hand in this mat
ter. all donations received by the relief
will be highly appreciated and judicious!y
VR,naged. Donations of meat, meal
and money are preferable. The relief
committee is well organized and can use
money TO the best advantage, as 1t is fully
cognizant with the necessities of the sit
uation. All remittances should be made to
Bun F. Price, treasurer of the citizens re-
lief committee, Memphis, Tenn"
Vicksburg. Miss, April 5.-The break in
Tunica county is considered by most per-
sons here to be the climax of ruin 10 the
loss. Messages from Sunfiower river report
a terrific rise there, and three barges were
sent there to-day to bring out stock. Up
per Sunflower has not been oyerhowed be-
fore in fifteen years. 1t is highly improved,
and beside many large plantations is full
of small farms, occupied by most thrifty
class of white farmers. Many of these oc-
cUpy very low ground, and will sustain
great losses beyond question. The river is
stationary here this evening, with 1872 feet
on the gauge. The city is rapidly filling up
witt, negroes from the. delta, fleeing from
the flcod and every train adds to the num-
ber. The Fifth Louisiana district leyee
board is concentrating its efforts just now
on the Bedford-Biggs levee Just below this
city. Four hundred convicts have been
brought there to-day. pnd the leyee is to be
raised for distance of 100 feet. being
weak along that streteh, Other louisiana
Natchez. Miss. April From 4 o'clock
last evening until o'clock this morning
from that hour until this evening the
rise was .05. sending the gauge up to ills,
which is BIS above the danger line. Large
forces were put to work on the levees in
undone TO hold them. There was Il fearful
storm of wind and rain and hail here this
afternoon.
Helena, Ark. April 5-There has been
total fall of % inches on the Helena gauge
since yesterday morning, six inches of
which was recorded to-day. This gives the
people much needed breathing spell, but
II IS at a fatal cost to our friends and
neighbors. j have just returned from the
HObard and Williamson crSNa SSeS. where
the water is flowing through with frightful
velocity At the Hubbard place, the Gre
vase was 500 feet wide this afternoon, and
still cutting out.
New Orleans. La. April $50 fas as New
Orleans is concerned, 1t is satisfactory to
report that all of the levees within the city
limits are in tirst-ciass shape and the same
in a general way may be affirmed of the
levees up TO Baton Rouge and down the
river to Buros There are, of course. the
usual weak spots. and here and there in
tnra
doing everything TO reduce these down to
4 minimum as danger points.
Greenville tonight reports the people of
that city taking every thing easy. Business
is confined chiefly TO the. demands of the
town.
Phalia. on the Southern railroad, was
knocked from its foundation last night. All
the small bridges of the county and many
of the larger ones will be lost. and n fearfal
expense will be heaped upon the county to
rebuild them.
The president of the board of Mississippi
levee commission issued his call to-day for
a special meeting of the board, to be held
April Il. The purpose of the meeting will
be TO issue certificates of Indebtedness at
least TO the amount of $4,000 TO close the
crevasses in the levee just as soon as the
water begins 10 fail. The Importance of
this cannot be over estimated. To make
a crop is the vital concern of the people.
Grcenville has so far been able to care
for the overflow refugees. No outside aid
has been asked or accepted. In Bolivar
county, about RosedaIe. there is some Suf-
fering and aid would thankfully be re-
ceived. Governor McLaurin's telegram TO
the levec board and leading citizens was
answered in substance as follows:
mo government aid needed. If distress
comes and we are unable to meet the de-
mands upon us, We will notify you prompt
ly.'
The creVasse at Flower Lake Miss has
completely inundated the following towns
along the line of the Yazoo x MiSsis-
sippi: Clayton. Gainesville, Lula and Goa
Roma: and If the river remains anywhere
near its present stage for some days other
towns. including Johnston and Ciarkslell
10th thriving places, viii feel the ban of
the flood.
Nashville Tenn. April 5.-The Cumber-
land river rs near to thirty-nine feet to-
night. and rising. The heavy rains of Sat
urdly night and Sunday morning exceed
ing more than two inches here extended TO
The head waters of the stream. and n heavy
food is reported coming from Burnside
"Wednesday. the limit here without more
rain will be reached, and the river will
reach forty-ive feet. five feet above the
danger line. BackwaterS are already in
vadinE the lowlands. and many who have
just moved into houses abandoned durintr
the previous flood vii have to move again
Street car line tracks are submerged, To-
day was clear, and IL is cooler Tonight
Tonight direct trains to Chicago We're re
stImed via Evansville. the Iirst since the
breaks in the trucks some weeks ago in
Illinois.