Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-03-29


GREENVILLE, Miss, March 2S-The sit
uation here tonight is quite as serious as
last night, and increases as inch by inch
the food spreads to new sections Of the
city. But this is not the most alarming
feature Of the situation, as a critical point
has developed in the levee thirty miles
north of Greenville, at Catfish Point. An
effort is being made to hold the levee,
as the damage that would result would be
so enormous that fear for the levee's safety
must remain until the water subsidies, even
in the face of hopeful reports. Should the
break occur at Catfish Point there is no cal
culating what would happen to Greenville.
1t is estimated that fully 1900 square
miles OF territory between Greenville and
Vicksburg are under water and this area
is being made larger each hour.
Water continues to pour through the crew
asse at LaGrange. five miles south of this
city. at a fearful rate and the surrounding
country for miles is covered by two to five
feet OF water. The break has widened over
night and is now about 400 yards from end
to end.
The widest excitement prevailed here
last night and reports OF loss of life were
received from the Tuxedo and race track
additions, but this morning no confirmation
OF the rumors are at hand. and 1t is be-
lieved that every one had sufficient warning
to escape. The loss to property, however,
will be enormous, as hundreds Of horses,
mules, COWS and hogs were swept away.
This morning the water submerged the
entire southern part Of the city. Protec-
tion levees are being built in the middle OF
Washington street and large force OF con-
| victs and volunteers have the work In hand
| The business portion Of the town escaped
| the encroachment of the flood, but the water
is rising rapidly and the worst is feared
Last night the two electric light plants, TO-
Gated in the southern part of the city, were
submerged and beforesdaylight the city was
left In total darkness.
| One County EnaIreIy Submerged.
The water from the crevasse will now Into
Fish lake and Black bayou, the SunfoweI
river and Deer creek. 1t will overflow the
greater part OF Washington and SharkeJ
counties and will entirely subhnerge Issa.
quena county, with small portions of YazoS
and Warren. Many Of the streams into
| which II finds its way are already swolleT
and full from backwater and rains.
The Yazoo river, which is the hnal outlet
for this water, is already backing up stream
and overhowing the lower portion of Issa'
quena and sharkey counties, and as the fooC
is thus cut OF from its natural outlet It will
necessarily accumulate and back up in the
upper country.
| The river is falling by reason Of the crew
asse and the force OF the current Is con.
slderably lessened on the Arkansas side
where several weak places on the levee had
been reported.
Only six blocks were above water at noon
All night the police with resculng parties
were at work bringing people from th'
flooded district, many houses being undei
water to a depth OF several feet.
From the great plantation about the crev
asse at LaGrange comes reports of heart
rending scenes. Hundreds Of negroes hav,
been brought to Greenvine for safety anC
the town is filled with stock taken from
the plantations surrounding.
This morning comes news of a threatsne,
break in the great levee at Catfish Point
some thirty miles north Of Greenville.
| NATCHEZ. Miss, March 2S.-The steame
st. Joseph returned from the Atchafal,
river and brought In 134 head OF stock ant
q large number Of negroes. The gauge thi
morning was 50.4. q rise of two-tenths OF
foot in the last twenty -four hours.
The steamer st. john came up this morn
ing with three negroes who were fount
adrift in Black river One Of the men wa
on log and the other two in trees. The
had been washed out by the crevasse a
Bougere and had been without food 70
three days.
Water Invades Lucy.
NEW ORLEANS. La. March 2s-Th
river here has fallen another tenth OF
foot undoubtedly the result Of break a
Hymelia. The news from Hymella con
tinues to be favorable. though the work O
cribbing was somewhat retarded today b
the failure OF additional supplies Of lumber
The crevasse is still widening, and 1
nearly 200 feet wide. Six to eight planta
tions are already under water. Water ha
invaded the town Of Lucy, some distane
away. Trafho on the Texas & Pacific ha
been interrupted. the tracks at some point
being submerged.
Those in charge OF the work at tn
crevasse continue to be optimistic as I
the chances OF closing A. The heavy I4i
and hail storm during the night was to
brief TO do any damage TO the work.
The rest OF the Louisiana line continue
to hold There is q hard fight going on a
Hope leVee, but Il Is hoped TO hold II. Hop
is on the east bank of the river in tn
| Pontchartrain district.