The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-17
MANY FLOOD VICTIMS
Rescued from Submerged Homes
and Taken to Memphis.
THE MISSISSIPPI STILL RISING,

Most Of Those Rescued Are Negroes, Who
Are Absolutely Helpless and Wholly
Dependent Upon Charity for sustenanos.
But Few Fatalities Reported.
Memphis. March 1.-THE Mississippi
river at Memphis gauges a fraction
over 1855 feet, rise of over one-tenth
since yesterday morning. The river
continues to rise slowly. Two lives are
known to have been lost yesterday.
Two negroes who live near Marion,
Ark, attempted to cross Mound lake
in dugout, when they were caught
in the current their boat capsizing,
and they were swept away The change
in the situation has been decidedly for
the worse In every respect, SO far as
the flood and the flood victims are con-
cerned. Localities that were expected
up to the last moment to Withstand
the overflow are at last under water.
People who thought they were safe
from the angry river find themselves
henmed In, and their danger is the
greater because of the confidence that
prevented them from providing against
1t.
From every direction come reports
of unprecedented disaster. At Marion
and In the adjacent country 400 people
are reported to be lined up on the rail-
road track. over which occasional
waves sweep and threaten to carry off
the people and live stock that there
find precarious foothold. Along the
other railroads leading out of this city
into Arkansas similar condition of
affairs exists. Down on Presidents
Island, where It was supposed that all
persons in danger had been carried
off, 1t was learned that from so to 100
people were last evening standing in
the water and praying for the sight of
a boat that would take them off. The
steamer Hardin was at once sent to
their relief. The Abbott and Itaska are
looking after Island Forty and the C.
b. Bryan, the Minnehaha and the Well
come are running far up beyond Mar
ion. Barges are carried wherever neces-
sary.
Nearly 1000 people have been
brought to this city already from the
overflowed country. Only a few Of
these are white, and they have been
able to take care of themselves upon
arriving, as well as to extend hand
to the negroes. But most of the ref
ugees are negroes, who saved nothing
but the clothes on their backs, and in
cases some stock, the latter being an
incumbrance rather than an assistance
in the matter of finding food and ac-
commodations in town. But the citi-
zens' relief committee have found
places to house the refugees, and food
Is furnished them from time to time.
Yesterday quartet of ladies arrived
On the levee with provisions. The sub
stantial food put new life into the dis
negroes.
Many rumors of wholesale drown
ngs are current, but these cannot be
verified. A well defined report reach
ed here Monday night that five col |
'red people had persisted near Marion, |
and colored man and child are
tnown to have been drowned at West |
Memphis. The conditions are such
hat there will undoubtedly be innum- |
'rable fatalities unless the helpless are !
'elieved. Great throngs gather at the |
evee. 1t was almost impossible to |
each the Bryan wharf boat when she |
pulled in from Marion yesterday.
There are many other points from
which come appeals for aid 1t may |
,asily be understood, therefore, that
he relief committee which has been
established in this city has its hands
I'LL of work. This work is being look
d after without delay. All the local
liver craft have been requisitioned for
his duty, and Captain Fitch, in charge
f the United States fleet, has placed
very steam vessel and barge under
lis command at the disposal of the
ommittee.
At Helena the river rose very slowly,
landing at ABS feet, two inches below
Ugh water mark. In the vicinity of
lelena rain came down in torrents all
1onday night and yesterday The
teamer Maud left there late yester-
ay afternoon for Modoc with a crew
T 40 laborers, where the government
oat Lillian, with crew, are sacking
he levee. The water at Modoc was
'ithin about IS inches of the top of
he levee at last reports.
From Island Forty come reports that
lie water is everywhere, and that hui
IAN beings and dumb brutes are hud-
led together wherever shallow water
fers standing places.
The people in and around Marion.
rk, are certain that in the woods to
lie rear of Marion there has been great |
ss of life. There was rumor to the
feet that several negroes had been
'owned in attempting to get to a place
safety, but neither names nor facts
'uld be learned.
The Memphis and st. Louis packet,
airy Morton, arrived in port yester.
ny, and reports extending relief to
'od sufferers below Cairo. Something
'er hundred men and children and
quantity of live stock were picked
} and carried to Fulton. From all ac-
unts there is great suffering in the
stricts mentioned, and aid is being
ked of the citizens of Cairo.
At Greenwood. Miss, the Yazoo river
rising very rapidly, and the lowlands
e now covered with water. The Tai
hatchie and Yaloburha, which flow
to the Yazoo three miles above
are reported to be higher
an ever before known.
The Tennessee river at Florence,
a., is still booming, the gauge regis
ring the highest mark reached since
49, The water is still rising half an {
IN an hour. A further rise of two
It Is anticipated. The levee road is
danger of being swept away.
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