The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1897-03-20
LOST IN THE FLOOD.
ARKANSAS SETTLERs SWEPT TO
DEATH ny THE wATERs.
Increase Of the Mighty Torrenf By
swollen STREAMS sIaikeS .
Worse Situation.

Memphis. March 19-TonIght the greai
Hood claims ive more victims. At Ma
rion. Eta Lax and her four children were
trying 70 make their way to Marion for
shelter. and while attempting to cross a
railroad trestle the strong current over
Eheimed the party and all persisted. Ths
Oldest child was a girl. aged Is. and the
youngest child OF months.
The river A sum rising at Memphis,
ana the indications are that II win con-
tinue 70 do 80 for some time
The rise Is continuing at Cairo. and
heavy rains prevail in all streams which
iced the big river-along the upper DoF-
ton and the middle Of the valley.
throughout the entire northwest terri
Tory, the drainage from which sweils the
volume OF water In the upper MississIp-
pi. the rainfall continues The same con-
ditions prevail In the territory which
leeds the Ohio and other tributaries. while
the heaviest rains OF all are descending
over the already submerged Arkansas
territory.
The work OF rescue and relief goes for
ward with undated zeal -Four Of the
rescue steamers arrived here. bringing
several hundred refugees nearly ali az
whom are destitute, 10 be cared for by
the charity of Memphis people.
ltasmueh as practically all OF the sun
erers are residents Of Arkansas. the re-
lef committee telesraphed to Governor
Jones OF that state. asking his co-opera-
non IN relieving the distress OF the peo-
yae % ms state. The governor replies
that there are no funds al his disposal.
Tonight the Yazoo Valley railroad
abandoned its trains. owing to the en-
croachment OF the water over it's tracks
few miles south OF Memphis.
The railway situation on the Arkansas
side OF the river remains unchanged, and
su trains are entering the city over the
Iron Mountain tracks. which Are : Few
Inches above the water.
In n PfGfable Condition.
foor rescue steamers. including two
government boats. arrived in port this
morning from the overlooked country
north OF Memphis, landing zoo refugees
and thousand head Of stock The con
dition of the refugees Is pitIabIe. some
are partly clothed. and sick almost unto
death from exposure and long suffering.
seventy-Tve had been standing for hours
IN water waist deep waiting the rescue
steamers. One woman chung franticaily
70 a dead babe. In another family OF
four. two drowned a few minutes before
the boat arrived. Rain began falling yes
tefuay afternoon and AT 10 O'Clock this
morning was coming down in torrents.
causing rise In the river Of two inches
IN - hours. The gauge reads ae.6 Sew
ga. causing additional damage and Fuf-
fering.
Islands 20. -. IS. 3. Sc and q are re-
ported entirely submerged today. These
contain magnificent cotton plantations OF
thousands Of acres operated by 500 re-
Grocs, and 80 head Of stock The stock
was abandoned The owners and hands
have been landed safely at Memphis and
Cairo. H.
A special train left Memphis this morn
INK containing material to strengthen
the delta leVeeE.
In Memphis all vacant stores are crowd
ed with $50 refugees. They sleep on
floors. II the river continues TO rise and
causes levees 10 break. loss OF life Is ex-
pecied.
At noon today reports OF a continued
rise I'm the river with unsupported news
OF great loss OF life, almost caused a
panic in Memphis. A general appeal is
sued today by the citizens relief commit
tee addressed to the people Of Arkansas.
Tennessee and Mississippi has met with
liberal response On the shape OF kilograms
Offering aid. Late reports contain adj
tional rurnors Of heavy loss OF life IN the
Interior OF Crfttenden county. Arkansas.
Arkansas Further Threatened.
Helena. Ark, March I&-The river at
Helena Is 81 feet on the gauge. which is
IL feet below high water. The river at
westover Is six inches higher than ever
known before. and at oldtown. six miles
below Westover. the river is three inches
above the highest water mark. and at
Modoc Il IL IS inches higher than ever
before.
Al O'Clock p. m advices from Modoc
are 70 the effect that Il Is impossible 10
hold the levee at the point until morn
ing. The people living In that neIghboT-
hood have been warned OF the impending
disaster and are fleeing for their lives.