The herald., 1897-04-06
MEAL, MEAT
AND MONEY
Needed in the Flooded
Regions
MEMPHIS FUNDS RUN LOW
AND AID Is ASKED FROM
OTHER CITIES
MEMPHIS FUNDS RUN LOW
Crevasses Grow From Feet to Fur
longs and Defy All Effort
Toward Repair
'sociated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, April 5.-The pre-
diction made in these dispatches that
greater disasters to the Mississippi delta
would follow the breaking of the levee
at a point on the east side of the river
north of Helena, Ark, has been terribly
| realized
The break at Flower Lake, which oc-
Cured yesterday morning, has rapidly
grown from a dozen feet in length to
a thousand. This was the condition of
the crevasse this afternoon at o'clock,
when an Associated Press representa-
tive left the levee north of the break
Efforts are being made to tie each end
of the levee, but owing to the difficulty
! in getting material from the railroad,
| fuor miles away, the success of the eff
| forts is doubtful This crevasse is at
the head of the delta. and will cause an
overflow of the northern tier of coun-
ties in Mississippi, with the exception Of
part of Tunica.
The question that now confronts the
planters Is the duration of the flood.
If the water is out of the delta by May
5th crop of cotton can be grown, but
cotton planted as late as May 10th has
| little chance Of maturing before frost.
There is still another danger. These
crevasses must all be closed before the
June rise, or there will be a second over
flow. The delta country produces annu-
ally no less than 5000, 900 bales Of cotton.
The river at Memphis is stationary
tonight. Much suffering is reported
from the overflowed region. Relief
steamers are making daily trips into
Arkansas and Mississippi, rescuing hun
dreds of people and bringing them to
Memphis. The local relief committee
is doing everything possible for the refu-
gees. At a meeting this afternoon 1t
was decided to ask other cities for help.
and the following appeal was issued:
The city of Memphis has been provid-
ing for the distressed flood sufferers
from the overflowed district of Arkansas
and Mississippi, with some little out
side assistance. for several weeks. Few
Tennesseeans are in need, but the de-
mands on Memphis for others are very
great and are increasing every day.
Indeed, the demands on our people have
grown to such proportions that we feel
unable to meet them alone. Heretofore
we have attempted to carry on this work
without soliciting contributions from
other cities, although many cities have
generously given us voluntary aid. II
the kind people of other towns and cit
les feel disposed to lend helping hand
in this matter, all donations received by
the relief committee will be highly ap-
preciated and judiciously managed.
Donations of meal, meat and money
are preferable. The relief committee
Is we'll organized and can use money
the best advantage, as it is fully cogni-
zant of the necessities of the situation.
All remittances should be made to B.
F. Price, treasurer of the citizens re-
lief committee, Memphis, Tenn.
IN MINNESOTA.
ST. PAUL, Mimi, April 5.-The river
at this point is four feet above the dan
ger line and Is still rising slowly The
flats on the west side are mostly sub
merged. The loss is chiefly to the poorer
people, who are being cared for by the
city.
Weather officials think the headwaters
have already empted their surplus and
that the stage will soon begin to fall.
Yankton reports conditions unchanged
along the Jim River valley tonight, the
river remaining stationary. The rail-
road tracks continue to wash badly, but
the bridges are still firm. 1t will be sew
eral weeks before traffic is restored. The
damage to crops will be heavy
Huron, S. D.. reports the flood subsid-
ing and with week of pleasant wealth
er farmers can begin seeding on high
ground. The season is three weeks late
and acreage Of wheat and small grain
will be lessened Is to 25 per cent.
Crookston. Mimi, reports the Red
Lake river at a standstilL. A hundred
families have vacated houses on the
lowlands' in that vicinity and moved to
higher ground.
Moorhead. Mimi, reports that the dan
ger anticipated now Is from running ice
which threatens the railroad bridge. All
communication between Moorhead and
Fargo is cut off.
RISING LIKE SMOKE.
BISMARCK, N. D., April 5.-The ice
In the Missouri river this afternoon be-
came gorged below here and the water is
now rising at the rate of six feet per
hour. A perfect torrent is rushing to-
wards Mandan. and it Is probable that
the lower part OF the town will be inun-
dated.
The Northern Pacific tracks between
this city and Mandan are under water.
The great steamboat warehouse at the
landing here Is afioat 1t is tied to the
banks by cables.
FEDERAL AID
WASHINGTON. April 5.-The situ-
alton in the flooded Mississippi dis
'tricts is being earnestly inquired into
by the president and today the Arkan-
sas congressional delegation, headed by
Senator Jones. called upon President
MCKINLEY to urge upon him the advisa--