The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-04-09
ANOTHER FLOOD CRISIS.


sissippi Through the Yazoo River-To
Cause a Severe Strain on the Levees
About Vicksburg News From Other
Flooded Districts.
Memphis, Tenn, April The su-
preme test Of the levees south Of Vicks-
burg and Arkansas City, is fast ap-
preaching. The river at Vicksburg has
been falling for some days on account
of the rush of waters from the main
channel through the crevasse above
into the Yazoo delta. This water is
again returning tc the channel through
fluence is being felt at Vicksburg where
the gauge is now marking higher fig
ures. Within a few days the crest of
the rise will be opposite Nicksburg and
the channel will continue to deepen un-
less the levees break. The Louisiana
people keenly realize the gravity of the
situation. The destruction wrought by
the water in the st. Francis basin and
the Yazoo delta may be repeated in the
TenSaS basin, which begins in south
eastern Arkansas and extends through
the northeastern counties of Louisiana.
Material and men are being hurried d
forward, and the effort that had mark
ed the work of those in charge of the
lower levees has been doubled.
The news of the action of the con-
gress in apprOpriating a large sum for
the relief of the sufferers was CRATE
fully received here and throughout the
OverflOWed districts. The prompt ac-
tiOn of the president and secretary of
war is especially commended. The tax
on The energies of the people of Mem
phiS has been great, previous demands
having been fully met.
The river at Memphis is slowly fall
ing and the gauge at Cairo shows a
gratifying decline. For the first time
phis and Fort Scott railroad runs its
trains over the lines passing through
the ST. Francis basin.
The citizens relief committee, through
w. A. Gage, chairman, issued the fol-
lowing tonight:
THE citizens relief committee of the
city of Memphis, having received Off
cial information from Washington that
the government has appropriated $780,
600 for the relief Of the flood sufferers
and that said appropriation is imme-
diately available beg to announce that
their recent call on the public is hereby
Withdrawn. Tic citizens c1icf - . --->ie
tee take this method Of thanking a
most generous public for the many do
nations received, and to assure each
and all that their contributions have
done an immense amount of good and
have been highly appreciated
LeavenWOrth, Kas., April THE rise
Of the river here is making itself felt
The sand bars which have been a
prominent feature are now completely
under water, and the wagon road lead
=, 10, Ia
bridge is partly submerged. The river
is full Of logs, driftwood and lumber
which has been brought down from
above. A rise of a few inches more will
swOOp into the stream the large stpres
Of sand piled along the rivers bank
Grave fears are entertained that the
rise portends serious flood.
Yankton, S. D., April 7.-Never before
in the history of this section of this
country has there occurred flood that
compares with the one now raging in
the James river valley. Railroads have
suffered great loss by the floods. Nc
trains have entered here for nearly g
week, and it will probably be a month
| before railroad traffic is restored tc
| it's normal condition. Farmers are
we'll prepared for the worst.
Clarksdale, Miss, April 7.-Since yes
terday afternoon the Sunflower river
and is now thirteen feet from the tor
| of the bank along the town front
Every house in town was closed today
| and every man and boy went to work
| throwing up a protection levee which i:
| now we'll under way.
| F'riars Point, Miss, April 7.-Ths
breaks at the different places above
| lessened the water in the river, but the
| backwater is slowly coming up. The
| country back of here is under water
Coahoma, six miles north, is under
| water. This place is still dry, although
| it is completely surrounded. The entire
| country on the opposite side of the rivel
| in Arkansas is flooded and much suffer
| ing is being experienced by the people
there.
| Greenwood, Miss, April Italia
| hatchee river is reported to be still fall
| ing at Minter City, and points abov'
! that place at the rate of about three
| inches in twenty-fOur hours. Th
| Yazoo river fell five inches here durin,
| the past twenty-four hours.
| Nashville, Tenn, April THE Cum
| berland river is rising slowly and ha
| passed the danger line of forty feet
| the gauge marking tonight 40.2 fee
| At Burnside the river is falling.
| Little Rock Ark, April IA tele
| gram was received here today by ].
| Clarke, from a committee of citizen
! of Helena, stating that there are 800
| sufferers at that place and that water i
! now in every house from Helena t
| White river