The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-21
Memphis the Mecca of Refugees, Many
OF Whom Are Destitute and IN
Need OF Relief.
WILL ISSUE RATIONs AND FURNISH
TENTS IF NECESSARY.
New Channel May Leave GreenviIIe
Inland-Situation at Marion and
North Helena.

MEMPHIS, Tenn, March 2o-The feeling
of hope that was produced yesterday and
last night by the Mississippi river coming
to a stand at this point with 4o.1 feet on
the gauge. was dispelled to-day by the oc-
currence of two additional breaks In the
st. Francis levees north of the first Gre
vase at Trice's Landing. Ark. and the
Mississippi points as well as by a rise of
one-tenth of a foot here.
The st. Francis levees gave way at RAN
dom Shot and Shawnee Village. Ark, the
first about forty-two miles from Memphis
and the second about thirty-fve. Both
crevasses are reported to be serious, the
one at Shawnee being the worst Of the
three. The two breaks to-day probably
will increase slightly the water in the
territory of Arkansas which is flooded by
the break at Trice's and in addition they
are flooding a vast scope Of country which
has thus far been free from any consid-
erable amount OF water. The situation.
therefore, in Arkansas is more grave than
at any time during the flood. Relief r,eas-
ures have been and must be for several
days completely inadequate.
The long line of levees that guard the
river front of the Mississippi and protect
the vast and fertile delta region OF that
State, and which have thus far stood firm
against the great flood. are reported TO be
in critical condition at many points. and
news Of disasters from that country will
not be surprising. At points the water
is seeping through the embankments
flooding villages and plantations, and at
other places the embankment is over
topped by the flood and enormous guam
titles of water are being discharged into the
country.
The most encouraging feature tonight IL
the fact that the river here has remained
stationary all day, and that falling stage
is reported from St. Louis. Cairo and other
points on the Mississippi and It's tribu-
taries. The stage this morning was 4a1
feet, rise of one-tenth of foot In twelve
hours. The stage has not changed during
the day. 1t is hoped the fall will begin to-
morrow. The two new breaks on the Ar
kansas shore are thought to be having a
considerable influence on the stage. and
the water being discharged through them
and the first crevasse could easily hold
the river in check here. For this reason
the standing stage Is not received with the
satisfaction that ii would otherwise give.
Refugees continue to arrive in great num-
bers and the facilities are too limited TO
care for them. In response to a telegram
for -
this city, Secretary Of War Root has an
swered that he will supply all needed tents.
as well as provisions. for the food suffer-
ers This offer will be accepted These
tents will be pitched on vacant lots and
commissaries Will be established, so that
all the destitute may be cared for. The
prompt action OF the secretary and OF the
Cabinet has given the greatest satisfaction
to the people of the city. as well as to
those Of the surrounding territory.
From the protected sections able-bedied
negro men and their families are coming TO
the city In large numbers ostensibly as
flood refugees. but 1t is claimed their real
purpose is to escape work and be cared for
by the city and charitable organizations.
This is not only increasing the city's bur-
den. but is working great hardship upon
pldnterS as lnty cannot secure ldD0rfTE
which are so badly needed. There seems
no way of relief from the imposition.
The railroad. situation west OF Memphis
shows no Improvement and II is reported
| tonight that traffic is still completely sus-
pended and that no prediction Of the time
of relief can yet be made. BY roundabout
ways the railroads are carrying west-bound
passengers to their destinations.
| In the city the situation is about the
same Much of the manufacturing districts
are still flooded and in the residence por-
tions there is much suffering.
Developments to-day tend to show that
the reports from Marion. Ark. last night
were somewhat exaggerated. The levee
was not dynamited to-day and no relief
boat has been sent to Marion. President
Killough, of the st. Francis levee board. to-
night stated that train was sent to Ma
rion yesterday by the Frisco with General
| Superintendent Davidson aboard and that
the offer of the railroad company TO carry
passengers from Marion free OF charge
was accepted by only three persons. Mr.
| Kilough said further that the levee board
was operating feet of twelve skiffs be-
| tween Mound City and Marion and trans
| porting persons without charge. He en-
| phatically denied that any one at Marion
was without food and said the only press
/ ing need was the rescue of the stock