The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-17
Other Embankments Are Weakening
and There Is Apprehension OF
Further Dangerous Breaks.
B0UGERE SWAMP FILLING
GAP OF TWO MILES CUT BY THE
RIVER BELOW vIDALIA, LA.
Crevasse Near the Gulf of Mexico
Conditions at New Orleans
and Elsewhere.

MEMPHIS. Tenn, March ls-The ST.
Francis levee gave way late this afternoon
at Trice's Landing. Ark. twenty miles
north of the city, and tonight the waters
Of the Mississippi river are rushing through
a three-quarter mile crevasse I'm the en-
bankment with a roar that can be heard
for miles. This is the first break that has
been made in the vicinity of Memphis, but
the fact that the water is still rising at a
rapid rate and that three other points on
the Arkansas levee north of Memphis are
in precarious condition. lead to the fear
that reports tomorrow will tell Of several
other serious crevasses.
The levee at Trice's. which is a mile from
Hollybush, has been threatened since sun
day afternoon. force OF several hundred
men has been doing all in its power to save
the embankments and it was hoped that
the break could be prevented. These ef-
forts would have been sufficient but for the
unprecedented stage CT the river and the
fact that the rise during the past two days
has been at rate more rapid than ever be-
fore heard of with the river in its present
condition. Gradually the waters crept up
the side of the levee until only the crown
was above the flood and sacks OF dirt and
sand were piled along its top and temporary
embankments of earth were thrown up the
at the end for barrier against the rising
water.
ROSE OVER A FOOT.
Sunday night the water was a level
with the crest of the levee at Hollybush.
and the rise to-day carried it over a foot
higher. sweeping away the temporary en-
bankments at Trice's. and tearing the Ievee
itself from its foundation. giving a new
| channel for the flood The break was OF
such extent that the engineers realized the
| hopelessness of attempting to repair the
| breach, and 1t was abandoned after the
| ends of the levee at either side of the
| vase had been revetted with sand sacks
| and stones to prevent further cutting away
| of the embankment. The situation I'm the
| meantime had become critical at three
| other points, and tonight il is considered
doubtful If these places can be held in the
| face of the rising flood.
At Pecan Point, Fogleman's Landing and
st. Thomas the flood is abreast Of the
crown of the levees, and hundreds OF men
at each place are working by lantern light
to save the day. But so rapid is the ad-
vance of the river tonight that reports
from these positions are awaited with
/
vase has developed at each before to-mor-
row night.
The engineers of the levee board claim
that the damage from the break at Trice's
will not be as severe as would have been
the case had the crevasse occurred at any
other point on the embankment. From this
point draw leads into the St. Francis
river. through several bayous and lakes.
and this will hold the water together to a
great extent and prevent its spreading out
| and wreaking destruction over very large
area But even under this favorable con-
| dition there will be considerable damage
I'm Crittenden county. Arkansas. from the
break What will result from Il along the
| ST. Francis river cannot be forecasted.
FORTY FEET AT MEMPHIS.
The river at Memphis tonight shows ss.7
feet on the gauge, and there is no stacking
| of the rise. This Is an advance of l2 feet
| in twelve hours, or an inch an hour. which
| is an extreme increase with the river
spread over much country. The break
| above here may make some slight check in
the speed of the rise at Memphis, but there
| is every indication that forty feet will be
reached before morning. There is no FORE
| casting what will be the maximum
| reached, as the crest of the wave Is not
considered to have been reached by any
| means tonight
The break above will not tend TO relieve
the situation below Memphis. as the water
will float back into the Mississippi through
the ST. Francis. and IL is feared that sev-
eral serious breaks may occur on both the
Arkansas and Mississippi sides before the
week is ended.
In the city tonight the situation Is the
worst that has so far been reported In
both North and South Memphis many
homes and business houses have been food
ed and families driven out. Strect-car traf-
nc practically has been suspended In North
Memphis. one bridge having been rendered
unsafe. while others are threatened. The
tracks of the Illinois Central along Wolf
river are under water. and trains being
run through the floods until tracks can be
raised above the water
Appeals are pouring into the city from
all directions for aid by those who have
taken refuge high points along the
river, and who are now surrounded by
water All local packets have gone strictly
into the rescue business. but their capacity
Is completely overtaxed and they are un-
able TO respond 10 all demands that are re-
ceived. All day cargoes of refugees and
their property have been discharged ~ the