The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-03-24

Washington. March 19.-sDecial River
Bulletin: The river at Memphis is
practically stationary at 40 feet The
further rise is not probable. although
high winds will greatly d to the dan
ger of the present stage.
Below Memphis, the situation has not
changed materially from hat indicated
in earlier reports.
Rain is probable in the lower Missis-
sippi Valley Friday and squall winds
of some violence will doubtless occur.
Northwest winds and much lower tenn
p~eratureS are also Indicated
Believed That n Fall Will Soon
Set In.
Memphis. Tenn, March LIT is be
lieved tonight that the crest of the
Mississippi river flood has reached
Memphis and that a fall will begin
within less than twenty-four hours.
However. the conditions that exist
above Memphis, with the gap in the
levee at Trice's Landing, Ark, make a
most difficult and uncertain matter to
forecast what is likely to occur in the
f1Ood situation. The gauge tonight
shows forty feet and stationary, a rise
of twO-tenths in tWenty-four hours.
While the c~revass has not widened
to any appreciate degree, the levee is
over topped a short distance further to
the north and the f1Ooded Mississippi
is discharging much water at both this
place and the ~eVass
a difference between four and five
feet EXISTS in the height of the wafer
on either side of the 1evee at the
creyasse and the rush of water through
the opening is terrific. The st. Frances
board today a a second effort to
send the tug Diana and a barge
through the creVasSe to assist in reScu-
ing people and live stock from the flood
area in Arkansas. The Diana and the
government steamer Abbott went to
the ~crevasse today with the purpose
fully formed of sending the tug through
in charge of Captain Fogleman, who
had volunteered for the dangerous
work. When the situation was care
fully inspected, the idea of putting the
tug through the gap was abandoned.
as the fall is so great and the rush OF
the water so strong that il was feared
the tug could not safely pass through.
About 100 yards west of the leVee, there
is a belt of heavy timber and the cur
Rnt sweeps against the large trees
with force sufficient to make them
sway Win violence. Inns COnulJlOn
made il most probable that the tug
would be swept into the timber by
force of the current and disable or
ven overturned. These and other un-
favorable conditions made it impossible
TO ease the tug through with cables
as contemplated. and consequently the
task has been abandoned for the pres
ent at least.
TOday's reports from the flooded sec
lions of Arkansas are more favorable
and for this reason the failure of the
passage through the crevasse of the re-
lief tug was not taken with much dis
appointment. The Frisco railroad sue
ceeded in running a relief train today
to Marion from the west, but persons
there declined to leave their homes as
they take the view that they are in
no LANCER for the present. 1t is also
reported hat all live stock there is
being well cared for and food is suf-
ficient. All passengers from the water
bound trains across the river were
brought to the city today. No repairs
have been made in the washed out
tracks and no forecast can be made as
to when traffic may be reSumed to the
west. The YazOO and Mississippi Val
lev railroad has resumed through op-
Grafton over its own line to New Or
leans, from Lake View, a transfer
boat having been put in service be-
tween this city and that point. There
were no startling developments in the
flood situation in the Memphis terri
tory today and all conditions generally
are assuming a favorable attitude. eX-
cept along the leVees in Arkansas.
north of the break at Trices Landing
Several critical points exist in that sec
ton and other breaks may occur. The
territory north OF the break has Suf-
fered but little from the overflow and
abundant dry land still remains there.
A break would however cause much
suffering and loss of property.
Arriving at Natchez.
Natchez. Miss. March 19.-AIderman
Jacobs returned today from a trip TO
Ashland. where the private levee was
OcertOped last week, the water pour
ing in. washing away the levee and
flooding the western end of Jefferson
county Nothing can be done with the
levee there and planters must wait I'M
from Bougere crevasse is filling Black
river, that river showing a rise of one
tenth at JonesViIIe and still rising.
The Betsy Ann came in today from
Bayou Sara with nother full trip of
refugees and stock. She cleared as
quickly as possible to get another load.
The river here rose 0.35 in the twenty
ON hours. ending this afternoon at 4
o'clock, which makes ASS above the
danger line and rising.
SEVERAL WEAK
Vicksburg, Miss, March 19.-With
all previous high water marks already
passed at several points between Vicks-
burg and Greenvil!e. n the crest of
the wave not in sight, anxiety for the
safety of the levees guarding the Yazoo