Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1903-03-21
TWENTY-FoUR MILES NORTH OF
MEMPHIS, TENN.
The Waters of the Mississippi Rush..
ing Through a Crevasse Nearly a.
Mile Lone-First Break in That Vi
cinity-Home and Business Houses
in the City are Flooded.

|
river are rushing through three quar-
ter mile creVasse III the emDankment
with a roar that can be heard Tor
miles. This is the first break that mas
| Deen made in the vicinity OF Memphis,
but the water is still rising at rapid
rate and three other points on the
Arkansas leyee north OF Memphis are
in precarious condition.
sunday nlgnt the water was on a
Holybush and the recent rise carried
1t over foot higher, sweeping away
the temporary entertainments at Trice 5.
| Landing and tearing the leyee itself
from its foundations, giving a new
| enamel for the flood. The break was.
OF such extent that the engineers real
lied the hopelessnesS of attempting
TO repair the break and it was aban-
doned after the side of the crevasSe-
had been riveted with the sand sacks
and stones to prevent further cutting
away of the embankment. The situa-
ton in the meantime had become criti--
cal at other points and now it is con-
sidered doubtful if these places can
be held in the face of the rising food.
At Pecan Point, Fogeams landing.
the flood is abreast of the crowd on the.
leveeS and hundreds Of men are at
each place working by lantern light.
The engineers of the levee board say
that the damage from the break at
Holybush will not be as serious as.
would have been the case had the
crevasse occurred at any other point
on the embankment. From this point
a draw leads into the ST. Francis river
through several bayous and lakes and
this will hold the water to great ex--
tent and prevent its spreading out.
Flood in Memphis.
In the city the situation Is the worst
that so far has been reported. IN
North and south Memphis many homes.
and business houses have been flood
ed
Appeals are pouring into the city
from all directions by those who have
taken refuge on 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 overtaxed, and they
are unable to respond to all demands
that are received. All day cargoes of
refugees and their property have been
discharging at. the wharf here, and
tonight there are several hundred per-
sons in the city, who are being cared
for by charity.
Situation Critical.
Memphis, Tenn, March 1S-The.
flood situation in the portion of the
Mississippi valley contiguous to Mem
phis is extremely critical, and reports
OF loss OF life are at hand. 1t was
thought at first that the break in the.
leyee at Holybush, near Trices land
ing, would help matters by relieving
the pressure of the water and causing
fail at this point. instead of this the
break has complicated conditions by
flooding a vast area in Arkansas.
across the Mississippi from Memphis,
and now veritable sea exists in the
st. Francis and Mississippi river
basins, extending from the basin to.
the other distance of many miles.
from this territory a call for help.
has gone up from persons who have
been surrounded in their homes, but
thus far it has been an impossibility
to send them assistance.
A few floating bodies have been
found at various points by the rescu-
ing boats, but the number has not vet
! been alarming.
The town of Marion is almost total
ly flooded, and citizens are using skiffs-
as their only means of travel. Ne
groes and white persons from the ad
1acent territory are pouring into Mar
ion every hour, asking that boats be
sent to rescue their families. There.
are no means of reaching them.
The negroes at Marion have given
way to fright, and almost a manic.
exists They have congregated at the.
railroad station and cabins in the vii
lage and refuse to work.
Memphis, Tenn, March 19.-Tbe
Hood situation tonight shows a num-
Der OF new and serious deyelopments
and there is scarcely a ray of hone for
improved conditions except in the fact
That tributaries of the Mississinni tn
the north of Memphis are reported RI
be falling. One of the most serious
developments of the last "a hours is
the washing out of all lines of railroad
entering the city from the west and
the complete tying up of the railroad
franc through the Memphis gateway
10 that section. There have been no
trains into or out of the city over
.ne memphis bridge and there is every
indication that traffic can not no 70