Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-04-22

PoPUIATioNI OF FLooDED DISTRICTS:
Arkansas '''.'''''''''. zoo 80
Missouri ........ .......,.......... oi,o00
tennessee .........,.... .......'.'' 4i,4oi
Total . .s7o, ,es5
This statement has been compiled from
statistics gathered by the Department of
Agriculture. 1t is based upon n chart pre-
pared under the direction of the chief of
the weather bureau showing the extent of
the flood. To this chart the department
has applied the crop statistics of 1896, as
representing more closely than any other
available data the acreage and value of
" the crops of 1897 now in jeopardy. The
statistics of population, of the number
and acreage of farms and of the value of
farms and farm implements, are those of
the census, and the statistics of live stock
are the departments own figures for Jan.
i. 1897.
1t is significant that this report is from
only the southern districts that are flood
stricken. No estimate has been prepared
of the damage done in the Northwest. The
Dakotas. Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, IL
linois and other sections are still flooded,
but no figures have been compiled to show
what havoc the torrents have wrought.
No mention is made of the loss of life.
While few persons have been drowned in
any one locality, it is conceded that the
total figure Is very high, but there is no
way at hand to make even an estimate, a
In most cases the people drowned have
been away from all centers of trade or
communication.
Details of the Disaster.
ha total orao updar Uotar nril q woo
1880 square miles, of which 1900 square
miles was in Mississippi, $500 square
miles in Arkansas, 1,750 square miles in
Missouri, 1000 in Tennessee and $50 in
Louisiana.
This region contained in 1890, so far as
can be determined in view of the some
what indefinite boundary lines of the
food, population of 379,6S5, of which
6,4S9, or about one-half, was in Mis-
sissippi, 100, ,235 in Arkansas, and the re-
mainder. almost equally divided between
Missouri and Tennessee.
The flooded districts contain, it is esti-
mated, 3S50O farms. of which 1880 are
in Mississippi, nearly 10000 in Arkansas,
and like number about equally divided
between Missouri and Tennessee. These
farms contain total area of $500, 900
and rather over one-fourth in Arkansas,
the proportions in Missouri and Tennes-
see being about the same as in the case
of the number of farms. The total value
of these farms, with their improvements,
farm implements, etc, is 5000, 900, and
here also the proportions in the different
States are about the same as above noted.
PestiIence May Come.
The people of the United States will
never realize the extent of the great flood,
and can hardly appreciate the suffering
which il brings to several hundred thou
sand human beings. Not only are these
food sufferers wanting for the necessities
of life, for food and shelter, bat on all
sides ruin stares them in the face and
they are almost staggered by the knowl-
edge that the savings of years have been
swept away and that il will take decade
or more of toll and privation to reach the
condition they were in before the food
came. Nor is this the most distressing
feature of the situation, for their great
dread now is the imminent danger Of pes
thence when the waters subside. Fevers
and plaques hover over the submerged re-
gion and are ready to snatch their victims.
The raging waters have dealt mercifully
with human lives-probably not more
than 200 being drowned through the en-
tire valley-but the pestilence will not be
so sparing of loved ones and it will cause
suffering horrible to contemplate.
1t is impossible, of course, 10 estimate
even approximately the damage done by
the floods. but il surely will not fall be-
low $100,000,000 More than 150, 900 per-
sons are homeless, sheltered under strange
roofs, in tents, box cars and barns. More
than twice as many are still living in their
homes, surrounded by water, and with
cellars filled with water. More than TO-
900 farm animals have been destroyed by
the flood any many Of those that were car
ried to places Of refuge have perished. 1t
Is a sickening situation and the worst is
not yet. Thousands of persons, men,
women and children, are slowly starving
in the tree tops and on the unsubmerged
hillocks of Arkansas and Mississippi.
Should relief fail to reach them their
skeletons will be found later on when the
grass grows green in the torrent beds and
when the floods and the sufferings caused
by them are forgotten.
From source TO mouth the furious Faith
or Of Waters Is making new breaks in the
levees and spreading disaster through new
territory. Already 10000 square miles
are under water. Far up In the Minneso-
tas and Dakotas and back In the Allegha-