St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-04-08
THE MISSISSIPPI AT 1E1PHIs.


- h"o "ish "atef-houses Bubmerge
r. For days the Mississippi river, swoll,
OF by SHOWS and heavy March rains. b,
been gradually rising at the rate
about two.tenths of foot every twent
four hours; until today, the official re,
ID lister shows 40 foot stage on the Men
phls guage. This means 40 feet aboy
the normal point, which is called zero
The highest water mark ever befor
reached, was 1873 feet in the year 1895
For 1900 miles up and down the river
property is protected by great system
OF levees, or banks, upon which congress
: has spent millions OF dollars, and fo
which, it each year, appropriates larg
; sums. For the past two weeks, however
the one absorbing question, heard or
every hand, has been, "Wi the levee,
hoid = Never before have they been sub
Jected to such fearful strain, and The
engineers themselves have been doubtful
IS to the results. But their work was
done wisely and well, and with but few
exceptions they have remained intact
although in many cases, the levees have
become soaked, or the water has gone
quite over the tops. The greatest viei.
lance has been necessary both day ana
night, and men have waged desperate
battle with sand bags. shovels and tim.
bers tor weapons. United States steam.
ers have constantly patrolled the river.
to inspect the work, lend all possible aid
to the men, and rescue the unfortunates
The workmen have everywhere been
under the direction Of government eno;-
neers, or OF the levee board. Yesterday a
steamer lett for the mouth of White river.
laueh with 1900 sacks to be distributed
along the embankments.
In this hour OF great need hundreds of
negroes, despite their dependence, refuse
TO work, or demand $3.50 per da y, and
ratlons, payable in advance. Ofcourse
1T is inevitable during such a food that
thousands OF people become homeless
ana great tracts OF valuable land are
under water. But the land thus covered |
Will be tenold richer, and splendid crons
are insured for the coming season.
"A lew days ago we took a trip of sew.
'ral miles up the river on one of the laroe
teamers, passing many houses whose
oois only were visible out of the water.
ma mail y made our way for quite a
Instance through the woods of Arkansas.
II more properly speaking, over the
woods, tor we sailed over the tops of
many trees. Only once before had q
! Gamer been able no make the same trim.
>eturnlng we stopped at Mound CITY.
take aboard a number OF colored
cope. Their houses were completely
opmerged, and with all their worldly
GODS tied up in sacks, they were ready
0 begin lie anew, wherever the steamer
hould deposit them on dry land. The !
tuatlon was not serious to them, and
1ey were laughing and joking as if
bout 10 start on picnic.
one OF the grocery stores OF the town
as partially under water, and the q
cope entering in row boats. At this
ONT the water had entirely soaked the
wee, and we were told that the next
ay' 1t was to be blown up with dyna. a
lte' lhIs was to allow great volume q
water to How IN, so a steamer could a
, through the town on rescuing trip.
strange to say, that although warn a
gs are repeatedly sent out in flood N
mes, hundreds of people refuse to leave r.
eir homes, until absolutely forced to q
So And they, and even their cattle @
e frequently taken from the roofs of n
lelr houses, or sheds or from the water. n
ne Mississippi at Memphis is now three n
lies wide, but there are places in the h
'erflowed regions, where it is nearer II
irtv. 81
The local forecast official" at this a
pint is ,, I. Emery, whose early home Sc
as not far from Barnet, Vt. 1t is need V
IS TO say, that of late, he has been the h
ost OFT quoted man in the city. n
memphis sits about 35 feet above the Sc
guest water mark, and the land slopes Of
to the river. Only a small a
'rtlon, known as North Memphis, lies te
w, and is under water. 1t is a yerita- q
Venice, and the people 90 about the r.
reefs IN row boats Nearly all of the ri
ilroads have been seriously incon. i,
nienced. The city is today filed with w
fnlgees, and her charitable citizens have 70
cir hands full. Too much cannot be said @
praise OF the noble and efficient work m
me by the Sunshine society, in Caring mr.
the needs OF these poor people. hc
HELEN B. EMERSON. %
Memphis, Tenn, March 20, 1908. ~