Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-03-19
THE MISSISSIPPI FLOOD.

Dispatches from Memphis last night
showed a number of new and serious
developments, and there is scarcely a ray
of hope for improved conditions, except
the fact that tributaries OF the Mississippi
north of Memphis, are reported to be
falling. One of the most serious develop
ments of the last "a hours is the washing
ont of lines of railroad entering the city
from the west and complete tying up of
railroad traffic through the Memphis
gateway TO that section. There have
been no trains either in or out OF the
city over the Memphis bridge, and the
prospect is that traffic cannot be resumed
until the flood has subsidized to consid-
cradle degree.
So suddenly did the rise come in the
section of Arkansas across the river from
Memphis, after the st. Francis levee
broke at Trices Landing, that two pas
senger trains were caught between wash
ed out points and are now surrounded by
water in the overflow territory about
three miles west of Bridge Junction,
Ark. Aboard each of these trains were
about IS passengers besides the train
crews, and last night more than 100 OF
these persons remained on the trains, with
no prospect of being taken off until today
or later However, they are not consld-
cred to be in any danger, and those who
have returned from the surrounded trains
report that the passengers are being well
cared for by the railroad company.
The breaks occurred shortly after 9
O'Clock last night, Just after westbound
trains on the Cotton Belt and Frisco
had left Memphis. The Cotton Belt
train left at 9 O'Clock, and had pro-
ceeded but a few miles when it encount-
cred a section of flooded track. In
attempting to cross the rails spread and
the engine was partially derailed, pre-
venting the train from moving in either
direction. While in this condition the
Frisco and Kansas City train approach
ed from Memphis, and with its assist
ance the Cotton Belt engine was pulled
back on the track.
In the meantime serious washout
had occurred between the trains and
Memphis and retreat to the latter city
was completely cut of. All night the
passengers were compelled to remain in
the coaches, while the water rose on
every side, and yesterday morning no
land was in sight within mile of their
position,
The trains are on the track of the
Iron Mountain, near Altman, Ark.
Before them are washed-out tracks and
behind them the foundation has been
carried away until passage is extremely
unsafe. Several handcars succeeded in
reaching the waterbound trains yester-
day and about SO passengers were taken
to Memphis, over submerged tracks.
The others refused to attempt the re-
turn and are housed in the coaches,
being fed by the railroad companies.
Attached to the Frisco train is dining
car and adequate supplies were sent yes
terday on the handcars.
The river at Memphis last night
showed 1913 feet on the gauge, the
highest stage ever reported, and rise
of 2 since Tuesday night. The river is
almost stationary, and it is possible that
a fall may set in at any moment But
this prediction would be extremely un-
certain, as, in spite of the fact that the
river is being drained by the break at
Trices Landing, the rise at Memphis
was almost at the rate of an inch an
hour
The situation in the area is growing
worse every hour, and it is evident that
a general rise of foot more must occur
over the entire submerged area unless a
very material fall shall take place before
the gap at Trices can let through this
volume of water alone, or with the as
sistance of other crevasses which may
occur.
Several persons were rescued from
Marion, Ark, by skifis, and the sltua-
ton there is somewhat relieved. Eight
white families and 200 negroes remain
there in the second stories of buildings.