The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-20
CHANGE
DESPERATE.
Attempt to Send Tug Through.
CrevasSe Abandoned.
MEMPHIS CREST OF WAVE AVE,
Though a Fall Is Expected Shortly.
Seriousness Of the Situation Has
Not Lessened Passengers on
Water. Bound Train Saved.
~. . . . 1890 $500. \

AZ tlst (By Associated prcss.)
MEMPHIS, TENN, March 1e.-lt is
believed tonight that tho crest Of the
Mississippi River flood l,as reached Mem.
phis, and that a fall will begin within
less than twonty-four hours. However,
the conditions that exist above Memphis,
with the gap In the levee at Trices Land
Ing, Arkansas, makes It most difficult
ana uncertain matter to forecast what
is likely to occur'in tho flood situation.
The gauge tonight, shows forty feet
and stationary a rise Of two-tenths IN
twenty-four hours. 5
While the creynsse has not widencd to
any apprecablc degree, the levee is
overtopped a short distance further to
tho north, and tho Hooded mississippi
is dlscharging much water at both this
place and the orovasso j
a difference Of between four and five
feet exists In the height Of the water
on either side OF the levce at tho crevasso
and tho rush Of water through the open.
Ing Is terrific. The st. Frances levee
board to-day mado q second effort to send
the tug Diana, and q barge through the
crevasse to assist In rescuing people and
llNG SlOCN LILO uOOuCu a. % ~ 80 \
kansas. The Diana and tho government
steamer Abbott went to the crevasse to-.
day with the purpose fully formed Of
sending the tug through In charge Of
Captain 1Togleman, who had volunteered
for the dangerous work. When tho situa-
ton was carefully Inspected the idea Of
putting the tug .through the gap was
abandoned, as the fall Is SO great and the
rush If water so strong that 1t was
feared the tug would not safely pass
through. fH5fS IL
About one hundred yards west of the
levee there Is "a belt of heavy timber
and the current sweeps against the large
trees with force sufficient to make them
sway with violence. This condition made
1t most probable that tile tug would be
swept into the timber by the force Of
| the current and disabled or even over
turned. These and other unfavorable
conditions made 1t Impossible to ease the
tug through with cables, as contem-
plated and consequently the task has
been abandoned for the present at least.
MORE FAVORABLE.
To-day'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 takan with much dis
appointment. The Frisco Railroad sue
decided In running a relief train to-day
l to Marion from the west, but persons
there declined to leave their homes, as
they take the view that they arc in no
danger for the present. 1t IS also report
4 cd that all live stock there is being well
cared for and food Is sufficient.
All passengers from the water-bound
trains across The river were brought to
the city to-day. No repairs have been
made in the washed out tracks, and nc
forecast can be made as to when traffic
4 may be resumed to the west.I
The Yazoo and Mississippi Valley
Railroad has resumed through operation
over It's own line ia New Orleans from
Lake View. a transfer boat having been
/ put In service between this city and tha.
point.
| There were no startling developments
! In tho flood situation in the Memphis
territory to-day, and all conditions gen:
orally are assuming a favorable attitude
except along the levee In Arkansas. nortl,
Of the break at Trices Landing. Sew
era critical points exist In that sec,
ton and other breaks may occur. The
territory north Of the break has suffered
but little from the overflow, and
( abundant dry land still remains there. A
break would. however. cause much sui.
| fer!nE and loss OF property