The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-18
Vast Circular Masses Of Water
Twenty Feet High.
DELTA'S FAIR FARMS DOOMED.
Enormous Loss Of Property and Live
Stock Certain.

The Gap Nearly n Mile Wide and the
Roaring Torrent Rushing Through
IL with Startling Rapidity.
The water Fifteen Feet Deem
Against the Levee when 1t Broke
and Leaped Through with a Roar
That Was Heard for MiIes-Heroi0
Crew Rescues Three Persons FROM
Tree-Many Weak Spots RepOrt-
ed In the Louisiana Levee and An-
other Break Apt 60 Occur at Any
Hour.
Vicksburg, Miss, April IL, midnight
An official report says the crevasse at
Biggs, four miles below Delta, La, is
nearly a mile wire at this hour and the
roaring torrent is spreading over the low
lands Of Madison parish with startling ra-
pldity.
This Is unquestionably the most destruc-
tive break that has yet occurred. and the
loss to property and live stock will be
enormous. Madison, Tensas and Concor-
dia parishes will be inundated, while tho
the fine farms of Franklin and Catahoula
parishes are In imminent danger The
fertile lands of these parishes have been
prepared for this years crop and in many
instances cultivation is well under way
Vicksburg, Miss, April II. s p. m.-The
crevasse in the Biggs levee, Louisiana,
about six miles below this city was 100
feet wide at last reports and rapidly wid-
ening. The water Is rushing through with
roar like Niagara, and all day long ref
ugees have been fleeing to this city with
their stock and other property. The
water was nfteen feet deep against the
levee when 1t broke, and men who were
on the spot say that It poured through in
vast circular masses or whirlpools twenty
feet high
Three white persons, two men and
woman. passed twelve hours In the midst
of the furious waters Of the crevasse,
perched In a tree. The water reused them
from their beds, and they had only time
to seek safety in its boughs when the
mighty food was upon them. They made
their presence known by shouts, and dur
ing the night several attempts to rescue
them we're made, but IL was not until 10
a. m, when an adventurous crew from
the government steamer Eta Ethridge put
out In a yawl and rescued them.
Memphis, Tenn, April II, p. m.-The
break In the levee at Biggs. four miles
below Delta, La, which occurred at 10
o'clock tonight. has widened rapidly, and
tonight a solid stream of water is pass
ing through an opening more than 100
feet wide. The roar of the water as IL
rushes through the crevasse can be heard
for miles.
The town OF Delta is now Inundated
and the waters are spreading in Madison
parish.
the levee when the crevasse came have
been safely put on board a steamer and
so far no loss Of life Is reported in the
vicinity OF this last break.
The outflow OF water at Biggs viii do
much to relieve the levees on the Missis-
sppi side. II will also hasten the pass
age Of the flood through the Mississippi
delta thus insuring a crop In that rich
valley.
There are many weak spots reported In
the Louisiana levee ana another break
may occur at any hour.
Throughout the flooded Mississippi delta
to-day the situation Is more encouraging.
The back waters are slowly falling, pass
ing through the Yazoo into the main chan
mel north OF Vicksburg.
At Helena, the river has fallen nearly
five feet since April 4. In the northern
part Of that city which has been under
water more than three weeks, the water
has fallen sufficiently to allow many peo-
pie to move back into their houses. The
water inside the southern part Of the city
Is fast disappearing by means OF gigantic
pumps which are kept running night and
day.
Al Rosedale. Friar's Point. Greenville
and other delta points. the river Is fall
ing.
At Memphis a fall OF one-tenth OF a. foot
Is recorded the gauge registering 35.7 at
o'clock.
At Cairo. Paducah, Cincinnati and Lou
isville the river continues to fall. large
amount OF supplies were forwarded from
Memphis to-day.
The steamer Hardin carried provisions
aud food up the 81. Francis river 20 sup
ply the relief stations established there.
Lieut.. Callahan went on this trip 20 super
Intend the distribution OF supplies
The steamer ROwena Lee left this port
with a cargo OF supplies for the relief OF
stations between Memphis and Ashport.
There viii BE- several new stations visited