The record-union., 1897-03-21
BREAKS IN THE MISSISSIPPI LEVEE.
TORRENTS OF WATER POURING
INTO ARKANSAS LOWLANDS.
The Situation at Memphis More Seri-
Gus Than at Any Time Sin ce the
Big Flood Set In.

MEMPHIS (Tenn), March 90
Alarming reports are being received in
this city tonight of breaks in the levee
both north and south of Memphis. Gov
eminent officials state that the levee
broke at Sans Souci, Ark, late last night
and that a great torrent is pouring into
the lowlands of Arkansas, adding to
the misery and suffering already prev
alent there. Other reports are to the
effect that the levee has broken be-
tween Memphis and Helena, but moth
ing definite can be learned as yet 1t
is known, however, that the river is
pouring over the levee at Modoc, near
Helena, Ark, and a break is momen-
tarily expected.
While the river is reported stationary
at Memphis by the Weather Bureau.
the situation is regarded by them as
most serious since the big flood set in.
OF the eleven railroads entering the
city, all but two are tied up on account
of deluge. The Kansas City, Memphis
and Birmingham sent it's regular night
train on it's eastward journey and the
Illinois Central is reported all clear to
New Orleans
The official bulletin sent out by the
Weather Bureau tonight indicates that
the river has remained stationary dur
ing the thirty six hours ending to-
night. 1t the face of the warning sent
out from Washington yesterday calling
upon residents of the districts threat
ened by floods to prepare for an even
greater rise during the next ten days,
the fact that the river has been sta
tionary during the past thrty-six
hours cannot be taken as indicating
that the crest of the high water has
been reached.
The river is again rising at Cincinnati
and throughout the Ohio Valley. At
Cairo the river continues to rise. and
this fact is of special interest here as
it is well known that no cessation of
the high water can be expected here so
long as it continues at Cairo. This
morning the gauge at Cairo indicated
5O.1 feet, which is a rise of 3 of a foot
during the twentyfour hours ending
this morning. This is 1O.7 feet above
the danger line.
At Paducah the river in the same
period rose four-tenthS of foot which
is 9.3 feet above the danger line
At Helena a rise of six-tenths of a
foot was indicated this morning which
showed a hight of 4S.3 feet, which is
11.3 feet above the danger line
At Greenville big rise occurred
during the twentyfour hours ending
this morning. This rise was 10 feet.
The gauge indicated at this point a
hight of ~ feet, which is two feet
above the danger line.
At Vicksburg and points on the Lower
Mississippi the river is rising steadily.
The relief boats continue to make
regular trips over the district, both
above and below the city, rescuing
people and stock, which are brought
to Memphis to be cared for. The men,
bers of the Relief Committee find it
necessary to give almost their whole
time to this work Citizens are re-
minded that all kinds of cast-off cloth
| ing can be put to good use, as many
of the refugees are without a change of
clothing when they are picked up and
| brought to the city. Clothing of all
kinds for men, women and children of
all ages; hats, shoes, all kinds of cloth
| ing are needed to supply the necessities
| of the unfortunate ones who are landed
upon the river front in such lamentably
destitute condition.