The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-20

of Arkansas across the river from Mem
phis after the st. Francis levee broke at
/ Trice's Landing that two passenger
trains, caught between washed out
points, are now surrounded by water on
/ blind tracks in the overfiowed territory
about three miles west of Ridge June
4 ton. Aboard these trains were about IS
passengers and crews, each and tonight
/ over one hundred of these persons re-
main on the trains with no prospect of
being taken of until tomorrow or later
However, they are not considered to be
in any danger
The breaks occurred shortly before 7
o'clock last night just after the west
| bound trains on the Cotton Belt and
| Frisco had left Memphis. The Cotton
Belt train left at O'Clock and had pro-
ceeded but few miles when it encoun-
tered a section of flooded track. In at
tempting to cross The rails spread and
The engine was partially derailed, pre-
venting the train from moving in either
direction While in this position the
Frisco fast Kansas City passenger train
approached from Memphis and with it's
assistance the Cotton Belt engine was
pulled back on the track. In the mean
time a serious washout had occurred be-
tween the trains and Memphis, and re
treat to the city was completely cut off
All night the passengers were compelled
to remain in the coaches while the water
rose on every side and this morning
there was not particle of landing
within a mile of their position.
The trains are on the track of the Iron
Mountain near Altman, Ark Before them
H. 4 4 l., IT,
foundation has been carried away until
passage is unsafe in the extreme BY
taking risks several hand cars succeeded
in reaching the water bound trains to-
lay and about fifty passengers were
brought to this city over submerged and
shaking tracks. The remainder refused
TO attempt the return and are housed
in the coaches.
The river here tonight shows 1913 feet
IN the gauge, the highest stage ever re-
corded and a rise of two-tenths since
asst night The river is about station
airy and it is possible that a fall may
set in any moment, but the prediction
would be extremely uncertain as the
drainage from the river at Trice's Land
ing has been something enormous and
the water continues to pour through at
a rapid rate. Water behind the leyees
in the flooded portion of Arkansas, is
within almost a foot of the heighth of the
water on the riverside and when this
foot rise has been completed the Missis
sippi river may show a further rise.
The situation in this flooded area is
growing worse with each hour and it is
evident that a general rise OF foot
more must occur over the entire sub
merged area unless a very material fall
takes place in the river before the gap
at Trice's Landing can let through this
volume of water alone or with the as
sistance of other crevasses which may
occur.
Some persons were rescued from Ma
rion, Ark, by means of sliffs and the
situation there is somewhat relieved.
Eight white families and fully 200 ne
groes remain there in the second stories
of buildings.
The city all day had been filled with
travellers who have been delayed on ac-
count of the washouts west of the river.
To relieve this congestion has been the
efforts of the railroad companies and
tonight relief is in sight.
The railroads have chartered steam-
boats to carry westbound passengers to
POINTS from whence they can take trains.
In the city there is practically no
change The refugees continued to ar
rive in large numbers. The flooded por-
ton of the city has grown considerably
with the advance of the river today