The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-04-16
The FLOODED DISTRICT.
A Relief Inspector Reports on the Con-
ditiOn Around MemphiR

01tlOn around Memph1e
Washington, April 13.-The first of
the detailed reports from the inspect
ing officers of the flooded districts
came to Secretary Alger from Lieuten-
ant Whitney. and was sent from Mem
phis. 1t was as follows:
LAS a result of personal inspection of
part of the Memphis-Cairo district
north of Ashport, Tenn. 80 miles by
river. l found is crevasses in Ievees
varying in width from so to 1000 feet
and widening some. The increased
damage to levees will be considerable
unless the ends of breaks are heavily
tapped. No fresh crevasses are antici
pated now. The flood is completely
over the United States levee at Ash
port and south for 10 miles, except in
q few of the highest places; three Gre
vases in this stretch. The top is being
badly damaged on account of slough
ing. / have reported latest details as
to location, extent and condition to
the engineer officer in charge of this
district. Water at the maximum was
three to four feet higher on the gauge
than ever before known. 1t has been
falling 10 to u inches every "a hours
and is now about on a stand, but still
higher than any previous flood. The
maximum approximate length and
breadth and area of the inundated dis
trict are as reported in my previous
telegram.
I'm addition there is about IS square
miles in Tennessee, miles long and 8
miles wide on an average. l find about
5000 refugees, nineteen-twentieths col
ored. Fifteen hundred more have been
brought to Memphis. Most all have
some sort of shelter, but are suffering
for want of necessities. Judging from
reliable reports this number represents
barely quarter of those needing imme-
date assistance in this portion of the
district. Stock is suffering terribly.
One-third to one-half of the cattle is
drowned, and the remainder will die
unless forage is supplied from the out
side The ready resources of the dis
trict are exhausted. The condition in
Mississippi county, Tenn, is represent
alive. Nine-tenths of its sos square
miles are covered with water to
feet deep. About 10 per cent of this was
under cultivation. Many cabins are
washed away or torn up.
Those standing are filled with people
ana rescued STOCK on raised HOOTS anu
RATS Out of 10000 population 5000 are
/ dependent and needing. Four lives are
reported lost by drowning. The con-
I ditions in Crittenden county are even
worse, and the suffering is rapidly in
creasing due to prolonged high water.
Most of the refugees are collected on
| high ground and at points on levees. l
/ have noted their location and approxi-
| mate number. They can be reached
/ from Memphis by a relief boat, which
4 should leave supplies for five days at a
I time at certain relief stations, each in
| charge OF one responsible resident.
/ 1 would recommend that an officer dis
/ tribute rations and take receipt from
! person in charge of station. Those back
/ from river can be reached by small
| boat from these stations. Sufferers in
/ my section can and should be relieved
where they are. This will prevent seri-
| Gus decentralization of labor later.
I would recommend furnishing simplest
food supplies. cornmeal and side meat,
/ and that every ration be accompanied
/ by forage for two head of stock. /
start soon as possible for the northern
] SacffOr,