The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-17
MAJOR SANGER'S REPORT
FLOOD PEOPLE PATIENT UNDER
THEIR SUFFERING.
If Waters Recede by May goth, APP
preparation May be Sufficient,
Otherwise Terrible Distress.

l OtnCVWtSS GTTiUiC OiStTtSS.
Washington, April 16.-Major Sanger,
Of the Inspector Generals Department,
arrived in Washington this morning, be-
ing the first of the officers sent out by
Secretary Alger to the flooded. districts,
to return to this city. He is preparing
a written report of his operations, but
meanwhile he explained verbally to the
President and Secretary Alger just what
had been done by him under his instruc,
| tons to ascertain the condition of the
| food sufferers and arrange for their re.
lief.
| Chartering steamboat at Memphis.
with the best captain that could be found
a man who, the Major said, was of the
greatest help, and willing to go anywhere
to relieve distress, he took aboard two
weeks supplies of character suggested
by the Memphis committee, and started
down the river, accompanied by Col. Rog-
| ers, chairman of the Arkansas levee
board, who was thoroughly familiar with
| the country to be visited.
1t was found that the Memphis people
had already established stations for the
relief of the refugees in many places
throughout the st. Francis district, in
addition to the big camp they had pitch
ed in West Memphis.
All of these were visited, and in addi-
ton, Major Sanger established stations
at other points where they seemed to be
needed. The relief boat ran up the st.
Francis river up the LAnguille river
and across country over cotton fields and
farms in every direction, where it was
supposed people were to be found in need
of help, acting largely on advices Of the
local relief committees along the line.
Returning to the main river, a visit was
made to the Flower lake crevasse, which
was found to have extended to a width
OF 1,SOO feet. Major Sanger says that,
country overflowed from this break, some
Of the richest bottom lands in the South,
is under water ranging III depth from two
to twenty feet.
AS stations were established, negroes
We're sent out in canoes throughout the
flooded districts to notify the people
where they might come.
Major Sanger says the inhabitants of
the flooded district are bearing their at
Fiction with extraordinary patience.
clinging closely to their half submerged
cabins, and undergoing hardships in the
hope of better times.
He says that if the waters recede by
the Goth Of May all will be well with
them. and that with economy and careful
distribution, the funds already apro-
priated will be sufficient for the main
tenance of the absolute destitute. But
if the water holds up and it is not pos
sible to make crop this summer, the dis
tress that will result will be terrible.
CAPTAIN CLARK'S REPORT.
vicksburg, April 16-Captain Clark, of
the Ordnance Department, who has Wis.,
tied the territory from Vicksburg, to the
mouth of the Red river, arrived on the
mail steamer st. Joseph to-day and states
the suffering and restitution at Davis
island, is great, and in his opinion, there
is great probability of further loss OF life.
The island is % miles long, and many
places of it not accessible except by small
yawls or skiffs, and he fears that when
the flood passes away that quite a number
will be missing.
SUPREME TEST AT HAND.
Memphis, Tenn. April &c. Adviccs
from Natchez and other points below |
Vicksburg indicate that the supreme test |
in the food situation is at hand. The |
swift current, which is rising rapidly, h |
beating against the levees with such |
force as to cause the gravest apprehen-
sion at many places. At Matches the
river is near the top Of the 'levee,r and
everything possible is being done to fight |
back the rising waters. AL" kinds of |
runnors have been current to-day regard |
ing wholesale boss of life on Davis L.
land, but diligent telegraphic inquiry fails
to confirm che story. 1t is known that |
three negroes we're drowned Oh the 1sE
land, but outside Of these fatalities NO |
further loss Of life is kn9wp to have .oc,;
ct1rred. 1aTiaN2
sE-s2s,s; .yG-B3s.l |