Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-03-25
I40:EOOT LEVEL REACHED.
Water at Memphis Touches Point
Predicted by Weather Bureau
and Is Still Rising.
SITUATION in ARKANSAS DISTRESSING.
Two Hundred People at Marion I'm
Peril and Awaiting Rescue-Levee
at Osce0la in Critical Condition.
Situation at New Orleans Hopeful
Good Weather Helps.

Memphis, Tenn, March 20.-The
highest stage of water predicted by
the weather bureau was realized
Thursday morning when the gauge
registered 40 feet. The crest of the
high wave is believed to be near, how
ever, and it is confidently prophesied
that in another "a hours decline will
be noted.
The situation in the flooded area of
Arkansas is practically unchanged
from Wednesday,.
J. People in Need of Relief.
The effects of the food are being felt
more severely at Marion, Ark. There
are, over 200 people there awaiting sue
cor. Relief boats left Memphis Thurs
day in an effort to reach the unfortun-
ate little village. An attempt will be
made to ease the vessel through the
crevasse. If the trip is successful it
will not be necessary to cut the levee.
A fleet of skiffs was Thursday sent
to the two passenger trains which are
hemmed in by the waters on the Iron
Mountain tracks three miles west of
Bridge Junction.
Wednesday the Frisco officials sent
18 cars of rock to break in their
tracks. All of this rock was dumped
into the break but not single stone
appeared above the surface of the
water.
Levee at Osceola in Critical Shape.
The levee at Osceola, Ark, is report
ed in critical condition. The waters
are seeping through, however, and a
break is imminent at any hour.
The situation at North Helena, Ark,
is reported grave. The levee has par
TALLY given way and mighty efforts
are being made to hold it against the
rising torrent. North Helena is sep
arated from the city of Helena by
strong embankment.
The railroads entering this city
from the west are completely tied up
and the water is rolling over their
tracks.
Situation at New Orleans Hopeful.
New Orleans, March 2O.-The river
has risen tenth of a foot in the past
"a hours, registering at eight o'clock
Thursday morning tenth of
foot under the extreme high water
of 1897. There is comparatively lit
tie change in the local situation,
which is improved by the continuance
of good weather. Local engineers say
the emergency work along the front
is so much advanced that there is alb
solutely no need for local apprehen-
sion even if the maximum stage of
water predicted by the weather bu-
reau is realized. Advices from points
between here and Baton Rouge are to
the effect that all weak places have
been strengthened and that the whole
system of levees is, sustaining the
strain without deterioration.
Levee in Dangerous Condition.
! Vicksburg, Miss, March 20.-At
IL: 80 Thursday morning a telephone
message was received from Lake Prov
idence stating that a change for the
worse in the river situation has sud-
denly developed, especially at Elton,
three miles north of that town.
Grave fears were entertained for the
safety of the leyee there and every
available man has been rushed to the
scene.
High Water in Wisconsin,.
/ La Crosse, Wis, March 20.-Contin-
ued drains of the past week have
swelled the tributaries of the Missis-
sippi badly, causing it to rise nearly
three feet within the past 4S hours,
gaining a foot since Wednesday and
the water is still coming up.
Old river men anticipate a further
rise of at least two feet, and farmers
on the lovlands are making prepare
tions to vacate their homes. The river
is now free of ice as far north as Lake
Pepin.
Not Injured or Ill.