New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-28
THE FLOODS GROW WORSE.
GRAVE PERIL. IN THE MISSISSIPPI AND
MISSOURI VALLEYS
SWOLLEN STREAMS BURST THE LEvEEs AND IN
uNpArE AN IMMENSE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
LIVES LOST AND HUNDREDS DRIVEN

UNDATE AN IMMENSE TERRIToRY-SEVERAL
LIVES LOST AND HUNDREDS DRIVEN
FROM THEIR HOMES.
ST. Louis, April 27.-The flood situation to-
night throughout the neighboring Mississippi
and Missouri River territory is one OF the
gravest danger. At several points the swollen
streams have overlapped their banks and burst
through the levees. Already several lives have
been lost. and many people are imperilled by
the rapidly rising waters Thousands OF acres
of farm lands on both the Illinois and Missouri
sides of the Mississippi River have been mum
dated, or will be Stock has been drowned
and crops are destroyed. According to the
Weather Bureau both rivers will continue TO
rise.
While Joseph Johnson, William Dalton, Minnie
Frazier Mrs. Ida Bugg and her two small chill
dren were attempting to ford a swollen stream
in a wagon at Jackson, Mo. the wagon was
overturned and the women and the two children
were drowned.
The Hunt levees, which protected the Hunt
drainage district on the Illinois side below War
saw broke to-day, sending the Mississippi over
one OF the most fertile regions In the valley
The widest excitement prevailed Fully thirty
thousand acres Of land and hundreds OF homes
will be under water in a few hours. The low
est part Of the district Is just below the BLUFFS,
seven miles back of the levees. and the water Is
making straight for the hills. By tomorrow a
territory thirteen miles long by seven miles
wide will be covered with water Couriers
were sent on horseback to the houses back In
the district. and scene Of disorder ana fright
everywhere prevailed. Many were unable 10
save anything. and barely escaped with their
lives 1t Is feared that some have been caught
and surrounded by the flood.
The levee was covered to-day with a crowd OF
farmers and their wives hurrying their chill
and their live stock to places OF safety
Many are now camped out, on the hills, with
absolutely nothing left. Poverty and untold
suffering must inevitably follow this disaster
Levee Commissioner Shafer at once tele-
graphed to Major Meigs. Of the Government
fleet at Keokuk, Iowa for aid. The latter i'm
rnediateIy ordered the steamer Mae TO the spot
with barges of sandbags, and he followed short
ly after with the Vixen. The crevasse is nearly
three hundred feet WIDE and the fleet is work.
ing under great difficulties
ALARM IN NEw-oRLEANs.
New-Oreans April "a feeling OF alarm
has again become general The wall of water
has been rising to an overwhelming height at
Viclsburg and all OF this as we'll as much Of the
crevasse volume. must come down to the Gulf.
With the river here at nineteen feet above low
water this means twenty feet. If 1t comes
quickly the weakened banks Will hardly be able
to hold It, The city can easily hold its front.
but would be endangered by crevasse in the
Ponchartran system. It has begun to build the
protection levee above the city to almost double
its present size.
A break in the levee occurred at II o'clock last
thrty-nne miles below this city, on the west side
Of the river and about half a mile above the ia
nous Bradish Johnson orange grove. Supern-
tendent Londrick. Of the Grand Isle Railroad. Is
on the scene with force of men and material,
and is sanguine Of closing the break which is
now thirty forty feet wide.
Natchez, Miss, April 27.-The gauge here
shows rise Of one-tenth and half in the last
twenty-four hours. nearly six feet over the
danger line The weather has cleared. and the
sunshine Of to-day has changed the crowns and
sides OF all the levees near here from mushy.
sloughing condition. 70 hardened crust. The
levees are reported with few exceptions. to be
in good condition. Reports at q o'clock this
evening from Clayton, La, are that the Tensas
River is rising over an inch an hour, with a
swift current, and is rapidly covering planta-
as the bulk Of the headwater from the Biggs
crevasoe has not yet arrived. Similar reports
have been received from Trinity La.
Keokuk. Iowa. April 27.-Punt Levee. on the
Illinois side thirteen miles below this city. broke
this morning unexpectedly, and threw the inhab-
itants into the widest state of alarm. Twenty
five thousand acres Of rich land will be over
flowed People had felt secure and were not
prepared for the break. A wild rush to get faml-
les and stock out of the bottoms is being made.
Much stock will be drowned and there may be
loss of human life. Government boats nave gone
from this city with sacks OF sand to stop the
break. il possible. Every craft Is being pushea
into service This break has caused the water
in the river to recede slightly. All Missouri Dot
toms between this city and Quincy are overlooked
about four feet. All railway communication
west and south Is cut off Alexandra, SpraWis
and Gregory. Mo, are inundated. Only 100
square feet Of land In Alexandria remains above
the water. The crest of the flood is here.
;The levee at Gregory. Mo. broke to-day. ana
the water has been rushing through the Town
like a mill race. Thousands Of bushels of corn
belonging to Keokuk and Missouri people are III
danger of being swept away. The Egyptian
leyee at Alexandria is practically useless ING
water has come up In the rear or the ieNee ar. '
TIE town Is under water. Several miles OF ~.
Louis Keokuk and Northwestern tracks are
submerged. All trains are abandoned aooVe
Quincy. , ~ NJ. ,.;.or fau
eighteen inches last night and relieved the STU
alton greatly. The Burlington has succeeded
in re-esta blishing train service on the MAN
line and branches The Milwaukee Is running
trains In a roundabout way. Inc hoch islIhu
is still unable to move trains The Central ana
Wabash are running as usual The recedln9
water shows that the damage Is great espe-
cially to railroad property.