Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1897-03-20
FLOODS STILL RISING
PEOPLE IN PERIL ON THE BANKS
OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
Man, Rurnors of Drowning. Most
sensational SO Far Said TO BE
without Foundation.

Memphis, March 16-The Mississippi
river at Memphis tonight ranges a frac-
ton over Sc feet, a rise Of over one-tenth
since morning.
Two lives are known to have been lost
during the day. Two negroes who live
near Marion, Ark, attempted to cross
Mound lake in a dugout when they w2re
caught by the mighty current their boat
capsized and they were swept away. The
change IN the situation in the past 4
hours has been decidedly for the worse
in every respect so far as the flood and
the flood victims are concerned. Locali-
ties that We're expected up to the last
moment to withstand the overflow are at
last under water. People who thought
they We're safe from the angry river find
themselves hemmed in, and their danger
is the greater because of the confidence
that kept them from providing for the
flood.
over at Marion and the adjacent coun-
try 400 people are reported to be lined up
on the railroad track, over which occa-
slonal waves sweep, threatening to carry
off the desperate people and live stock
that there find a precarious footholG.
Along the other railroads leading out 1f
this city into Arkansas a similar cond
ton of affairs exists.
Down OF President island it is learned
that from so to 100 people We're this morn
ing standing in the water and praying for
the sight of a boat that would take them
off.
From the island come reports that the
water is everywhere, that human beings
and dumb brutes are huddled together
shallow water offers i standing
place. The relief committee which has
oeen established in this city has its hands
sull Of work
Bringing in Refugees.
Captain Fitch, in charge of the United
States fleet has placed every steam YES
sci and barge in his command at the
disposal Of the committee. Rarges are
carried wherever necessary. Nearly 1000
people have been brought to this city al
'eady from the overflowed country. Most
If the refugees are negroes. who saved
nothing but the clothes on their backs
Many rumors of wholesale drowning
IRE current, but these can not be verified
well defined report reached here last
hight that five colored people had perisn-
d near Marion and q colored man and
'hild are known to have been browne
It West Memphis.
Plenty of Help for Homeless.
Nearly 2G0C homeless, half starved per
ons rescued from the overflowed dis
riots of eastern Arkansas are being cared |
or in this city today. The refugees are
Mostly negroes. The citizens relief COM
mission is practically backed by unlin
ted capital, merchants, bankers and cor |
orationS having subscribed great sums |
0 prosecute the work of rescuing in
abitants of the territory 40 miles north
nd south Of Memphis.
Sensational stories of wholesale drown
lg at Hedna, Ark, are denied by steam
+ hands fresh from the scene.
The gauge today reads 36.40 feet Rail
7ay trains arrive and depart without ref !
renee to schedules. All tracks except |
be Iron Mountain are submerged. The
lansas City and Little Rock roads use
he Iron Mountain roadway. 1t is eN
ected by night that rescue steamers vii! |
md another thousand refugees at Chick
saw bluffs