Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-01
SUBsIDE IN SOUTH
Heavy Rains Are Abated and swollen
tream Are Reced-
Ing,

HARTMAN, Tenn, March 31.-The EN-
ory river flood is r~eceding and elk OF the
twelve industries at this place that were
invaded by the high water resumed opera
ton today. The remaining industries will
be running by Thursday morning It is
thought. The aggregate damage is now
placed at $751; 0
Authentic figures place the number Of
families affected by the flood at twenty-five.
OF these fifteen are totally destitute. Only
three houses were totally destroyed, twenty
two residences being more or less damaged.
The city council has raised a fund Of $500
for the relief Of these families, and In ad-
dition citizens have contributed consider
able clothing and food. Today all the
homeless families have heen provided for
and these, with all others who desire work.
are clearing up the debris from the path Of
the flood.
The water was at Its highest Saturday at
noon, when 1t reached sixty feet above low
water mark, seven and one-half feet higher
than the highest previous record. The
Southern railway trestle here is being re-
built and trains Will likely run through to
oakdale tonight. The road is thoroughly
repaired to Willow Springs, one and one
half miles from here, and trains are now
running from Knoxville to that point. The
cincinnati Southern's bridge over the
Emory river was reported at having gone
out Saturday night, but this was exag-
gerated. as the damage was to the north
abutment, which caved in and was repaired
by Sunday morning. Very heavy damage
was done at oakdale, the yards Of the
Southern and Cincinnati Southern railways
being submerged and the tracks more or
less washed.
The flood penetrated the first floor Of the
Babahatchee inn, the largest hotel between
Somerset and Chattanooga, and that portion
OF the building was vacated. Thirteen
houses we're washed away at oakdale and
the occupants of these are reported home
less and In need Of assistance. Others suf-
fered more or less damage. from water in
vading their houses.
Echoes of Disaster.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. March 31.-A spe-
cial to the Age-Herald from Decatur, Ala,
saSs:
Since the storm OF Friday this has been
the northern terminal Of the Louisville &
Nashville. All trains are now running as
far north as Elkmont, but it is said 1t
will be several days before the road is
opened to Nashville. No Nashville mail
has been received here since Friday. To-
day the first mail reached here from Chi
cago, Cincinnati. and other points north
by way of Chattanooga. New Decatur Is
without telegraph communication still.
The Tennessee river is on a rampage.
Ben Johnes, a white fisherman, his wife
and eleven children, living In a house boat
near Riverton. are reported to be drowned.
Wreckage Of the boat has been found, but
thn aNN .
named Barber was drowned in Flint creek
and his house swept away. Jacob Coach, a
negro. was found drowned In a sink hole.
Six houses on the Lloyd plantation were
swept away. Two houses on Hurd's place
were destroyed by lightning. Many other
houses we're struck by lightning, but
slightly damaged. Much livestock has been
drowned.
Waters Are RecedinE.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, March s1.-The flood
waters in the overlooked districts in Mis-
sissippi are receding at all points, except
along Pearl river, which stream is re-
ported to be above the danger line and
slowly rising. The railway situation con-
tinues to improve and several trains on the
Illinois Central were operated today on
something like schedule time.
NEW ORLEANS, March 31.-service over
the roads which have recently been badly
crippled by storm and flood is gradually be-
ing resumed. The first through train from
the east on the Northeastern since Thurs
day pulled into the city today. superln-
tendent Curran says the washed-out track
has been repaired.
The Mississippi Valley and Illinois Cen
trail trains are running again, but are late,
owing to the slow time made over tracks
In the recently flooded district.
situation Serious at
JACKSON, Miss, March s1.-The flood
situation has again become serious on ac-
count of the rising OF Pearl river, which
is now out of it's banks from mouth to
source and flooding all the low country. At
this place the river is from seven to n'ne
miles wide and has washed away several
miles Of the track Of the Alabama & Vicks-
burg railway and has tied up the Gulf &
Ship Island road. The plant Of the water
works company is under water and the
pumps have been stopped, causing a water
famine all over the city.
Railroad situation Better.
BISMARCK, N. D., March 31.-The rail-
road situation here is slowly improving as
the water in McKensie slough is rec6ding
at the rate Of a foot a day. At this
rate repair work upon the submerged track
can be begun within a few days. Mean
time the Northern Pacific is rushing work
upon the temporary track which It is
building around the lake and which It Is
hoped to have In readiness for freight traf-
hc within a week. The transferring Of pas
sengers across the McKensie lake was con-
tinued today. both east aud westbound pas
sengers being ferried across. The west
bound passengers arrived at bismarck to-