Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-04
FOR FLOOD VICTIMS.
FEDERAL AID BEING TENDERED
ny THE ADMINISTRATION,
The .AZOO DELTA SITUATION.
"water. Water, Everywhere, and
More A-coming'-Gov. McLaurin
VIII Relieve Present Distress.


the extent OF the suffering caused by the
prevailing floods. kilograms had been
pouring IN on the President and the War
Department all the morning. asking for
assistance. IL has been decided that tho
emergency appropriation for the repair
= OF levees cannot be used for any other
purpose and the President thipks some
thing should be done by the Federal Cow
eminent TO relieve the distress OF the
people. For some years past Congress has
been opposed to granting money for the
assistance OF sufferers from floods and
other causes. believing that the various
States should look out for their own peo-
ple. Federal relief has been extended
merely through the distribution Of tents
and blankets by the War Department.
When the information desired from the
Governors OF the three States named has
been received II is probable that the
President Will ask Congress to do some
thing Already Mr.. Mckinley has consult
Cd with General Wilson, the chief of en-
eineers. and the two are endeavoring to
devise some plan whereby the suffering
can be relieved
The President received an answer from
the Governor Of Mississippi this afternoon
The Governor said the state authorities
had relief measures we'll in hand.
WATER. WATER. EVERYWHERE.
JACKSON. MISS. April S.-The citizens
Of that portion Of the delta already over
flowed cot more comfort from the warn
ings OF the Weather Bureau sent out to-
day than did those below Nicksburg
where no breaks In the levce have yet
occurred. inasmuch as Chief Moore in
formed the latter that the worst is yet
10 come This city is in constant com
munication with the delta country, be-
cause OF social and business relations,
and because OF the great interests in |
volved. The State has eleven big convict |
farms an that section. all Of which are |
now more or less under water.
A private letter from a merchant at |
Rolling Fork. Sharky county which Is |
forty miles south OF Grcenville, and iif- |
teen from the Mississippi river, but d. |
rectly on Deer Creek. says:
'T"s water. water. everywhere. and |
more a-cOming. 1 have been forced 10 |
move my entire stock upstairs, and an |
an right. provided the building does not |
float away
The ladies' what few remain. and negro |
women. AID other shoppers, are travelling |
I'm skifs. dug-outs and all sorts Of craft. |
The situation is critical, and the over |
flow is a serious matter for this country |
but Il the water goes of by May we can |
make a good crop: If not until June, we |
can make half crop. which is better |
than whole crop in the hills.
Governor McLaurin received the follow |
ing telegram this morning:
Executive Mansion, |
washington, April Sd.
Governor Of Mississippi, Jackson:
please report Immediately number Of |
people suffering for food and shelter IN |
the flooded districts of your state, ana
sum required n your opinion. for re-
Neving their distress. Keep department
fully informed of particulars by mail and
lsIgnedC OR. A. ALGER.
Secretary of War"
SUFFERING AMONG TIE POOR.
I'pon receipt Of this telegram, the Gov
ernor telegraphed 10 every county in the |
overlooked district. asking for data upon |
which 10 base his reply, and Will FORWARD |
same as he gets replies and makes up ms |
estimates. There is no doubt there will |
be considerable suffering among the poor
er classes The rich aud Wel-tO-dO |
planters have moved out with their tami- /
lies and effects. and have in many cases
MADE arrangements TO feed their hands |
tiu the waters suDside. But thousands |
are unable 10 DO this, and the outside
world will soon be called upon 10 assist.
the destitute.
At 5 o'clock tonight the Governor had |
only received replies from TWO counties,
but he wired the fOllowing
General r. A Alger, Secretary Of War,
Washington. u. c.
communications with the flooded dis
trict 80 interrupted by overflow that II
IS impossible 10 give anything like accu-
rate estimate Of number suffering But
i think about $1,000 would relieve pre-
sent distress. Many thanks for your |
generous interest in our stricken peo-
Die. VIII keep you promptly informed as
requested.
(slgned "A. J. MLAURIN,
Governor"
At special meeting to-day The
Penitentiary Board Of Control ordered
all the State mules-more than lOO-got-
ten off the delta farms aud brought to
the state farms I'm this country. SO far, |
none OF the states Sock has been
drowned, but the board considers it safe
for them 10 get everything away from
the overlooked district.
MISSISSIPPI STILL RISING.
ALTON. Hi. April 3.-The Missis-
sippi continues TO rise. In addition, the [
government service gives warning OF
two-feet rise by Monday. The best
lcNGSc Will NOT rldu4 H4uNu A4Dlt, anu
even now hundreds of acres Of the best
wheat-land I'D the State are being claimed
by the flood every day.
RAINS IL MISSOURI AND IOWA
ST. LOUIS. April 3.--The local weather
bureau to-day sent out "a sweeping warn
ing 10 all points on the Mississippi river
as far north as KeOkuk, Ia. II was stated
tsat the river at ST. Louis was likely %
Use until the S0-fOot gauge should be
reached. This point was expected TO be
attained by Sunday night. At ? o'clock
this afternoon the river marked 2bI rect.
Heavy rain began falling shortly before
noon. and continued for several hours
accompanied by high wind.
Several rain and thunder-storms pre-
vail throughout Missouri and Southern
Iowa. and these Will swell the streams
which are now running bank-full
kilograms TO the Scripps- McRae Press
Association from various points in the
West and Southwest are 10 the effect
that the situation is hourly growing
worse.
Al Helena Ark, rain has fallen heavl-
ly for nearly four hours. and at noon
there was no indication OF cessation 4
slight break occurred in the ieyee this
morning. but was quickly repaired
At Little Rock, Ark. rain began falling
a. $3.50 o'clock this morning. and at noon
was stlll coming down IN torrents. Rail-
road traffic from the North Is badly de-
layed.
GREAT APPREHENSION.
MEMPHIS. TENN. April S.-lt was
,,,ttrl,,, ars dark this morning fine rain