Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-15
1T IS FAR REACHING.
Great Mississippi River Flood
Covers 1890 Square Miles.
Total Population OF Flooded District Near
Iy OO,OOO-4O, 900 Farms Under Water
Value of Submerged Property
Is S6B,OOO,OOO.

WASHINGTON, April ia statement
relative to the agricultural interests
of the submerged districts of the Mis-
sissippi valley south of Cairo, ILL.,, has
been issued by the department of agri-
culture. The total area under water
on April 8 was about 1890 square
miles, of which 1900 square miles was
in Mississippi, 1850 square miles
in Arkansas, 1,75O square miles in
Missouri, 1900 in Tennessee and
450 in Louisiana. This region con-
tanned in 1890, so far as can be
determined in view of the some
what indefinite boundary lines of the
flood, a population of 379,65S, of which
1856, 4S9, or about one-half, was in Mis-
sissippi, 1OO,235 in Arkansas, and the
remainder almost equally divided be-
tween Missouri and Tennessee. The
flooded district contains, it is estimat-
ed, about $4,000 farms, of which about
1880 are in Mississippi, nearly
10000 in Arkansas and like
number about equally divided be-
tween Missouri and Tennessee. These
farms contain total area of 100000
acres, one-half of which is in Missis-
sippi and rather over one-fourth in
Arkansas, the proportions in Missouri
and Tennessee being about the same
as in the case of the number of farms.
The total value of these farms, with
their improvements, farm implements,
OH 80 a1nen
Outlook Bad In the South.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, April 10. - The
mighty sweep of the waters south of
Vicksburg has at last had its effect
upon the lower levees and last night
telegram from Tallalah, La, reports
that the levee which protects Davis
island has given away and the island
will in all probability be flooded.
Twenty-Five hundred people inhabit
Davis island, which consists of about
5000 acres of land. The work of gov
eminent relief has been actively inau-
gurated. Many people are being fed
and housed at Greenville, Rosedale,
Helena, Friar's Point and other points
along the river. A relief steamer is now
plying up the St Francis river with food
and forage for man and beast. Capt.
H. G. Martin, representing the secre-
tary of war, arrived at Greenville yes
terday, and is now thoroughly inves.
tigating the needs of the sufferers in
that territory. Fully 5000 negroes in
Washington county alone are PENN.
less and must be taken care of. The
river at Cairo and points north is
rising.
Omaha Under Water.
OMAHA, Neb,, April lathe Missouri
river has risen almost two feet at this
point in "a hours, and is now higher
than at any time since 1881. Yesterday
evening the river broke over into its
old channel by Omaha, flowing into
Florence lake, which was formed when
the river changed its course nearly 20
years ago. Last night the water was
pouring down through the lake and
has flooded the bottoms in the vicinity.
All the houses in North Omaha, 200 or
800 in number, are surrounded and the
inhabitants have been moving to higher
ground.
Flood Certain at Kansas City.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, April 14.-So
firmly convinced is Weather Observer
Connor that there will be danger of
high water both from the Missouri and
Kansas rivers that he has sent word to
all the packing-houses and others near
the rivers banks to be prepared for a
small sized flood. Mr.. Conner said
that the river would certainly be Sin
teresting" for few days at least. By
Wednesday noon it will have passed
the danger line and by Thursday even
ing or night it will be nearly one foot
above the danger line.
IN SPECIAL SESSION.