The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-10
Mississippi Threatens to Break
 Over the LeVees,
WATERS ARE STILL RISING
Mighty Father of Waters Is Expected to Pass All Danger Lines, and the Result Cannot Be Fore
 told-ohlo Also Raging.

Memphis. March 9.-The river at this 1 point this evening shows 946 feet and rising. The weather bureau bulletin is- sued tonight states that the river from Cairo to Helena will continue to rise at an increased rate, and stage here of S5 | feet is expected within 24 hours and S7 feet by March A. It further states that the present rise probably will continue until stage of 3S feet or more is reach ed at Memphis.
 Weather conditions are similar over much of the vast area drained by the Mississippi and tributaries from the head waters of the former to the gulf, and re- 1 ports from all points indicate heavy rains and swollen streams It is upon this con dition and the fact that the levees built since the flood of 1897 haze materially narrowed the territory over which the river can spread, that the statement of l the probable stage of 3S feet is based.
 The greatest stage ever recorded at Memphis was sL3 feet and it is thought that a greater stage must give much damage in the lowlands. What would oc- cur from such a stage cannot be fore told.
 The levees on both the cast and west sides of the Mississippi are being strengthened at all weak points, and at such places as will be subjected to the greatest pressure and most danger when the flood is at it's height. Government boats are patrolling the river and men on foot are patrolling the embankments watching for suspicious or threatening developments of any character. There is little anticipation of serious trouble un- til the water approaches 5 feet.
 Engineers Are Worried.
 That the engineers are taking a grave view of the flood in the Mississippi river, is attested by statements issued by them tonight. United States Engineer Lucas, in charge of the first and second dis tricts of the Mississippi river, says:
 We anticipate a serious overflow and in conjunction with the local levee boards 1 are taking measures to meet it." A statement issued tonight by Presi- l dent Killough and Chief Engineer Pharr of the St. Francis levee board says
 Tt is very evident that we are to have a very dangerous stage of water. The levees are in good shape and we are confident of holding them against the flood; still there is no denying the fact that a heavy rise is coming and we l are apprehensive. The people should know the truth. There is no cause of unneces- sary alarm. We merely want the peo- pie to be on their guard.
 Above Base of Levees.
 Baton Rouge, La, March 9.-The river l at this point reached 343 feet this even- ing, a rise of two-tenths of a foot in the past twenty-four hours. This is with in a fraction of six feet of the highest water of 1897. The water Is now some inches above the base of the levees of l Front street.
 Danger Not Passed. 1 Louisville, March 9.--Although the Ohio river is falling here tonight, the danger of a flood of considerable proportions Is not yet averted, and 1t is probable that a stage of thirty feet or two feet above the danger line, will be reached here be- l fore the river runs It's course.
 The fall began shortly after noon to- | day but the rate of recession was only one-tenth of an inch an hour. It Is prob able that this fall will continue tomorrow, and by Wednesday night or Thursday morning another rise will reach here, which will bring the river up to the high est point of the season.
 | According to the statement issued to- night by Major Herzy of the local branch of the weather bureau, the outlook Is not encouraging. Up to the present time the damage has been slight At ' o'clock to- night the guase was 2S.2 in the canal.
 Anxiety at Natchez.
 Natehez, Miss. March 9.--Anxiety here is at a strong tension through fear that the levees may not be allowed to show their strength as It is possible cut at some place will be made to save property on the other side of the river. This danger is as much source of apprehen- sion as is the high stage of the river and | tba Nvatpr which iS vet to come.
 The Mississippi at this point is 2.1 above the danger line and rising. Heavy rains are of daily recurrence. The ground is water-soaked and all of the water IS going into the river.
 Plenty of Room Vet. | Vicksburg, Miss. March 9.-At o'clock tonight the river guage registered Az feet rise of two-tenths in ten hours. The United States lighthouse tender, Joseph Henry, arrived from points below this 1 evening and her officers report that there is still plenty of room between the water surface and the crown of the levees. Cap tain Leonard states that he has never seen the levees in such excellent shape. At points where new work has been done, men and materials are held in readiness for any emergency. Every boat arriving in port is crowded with refugees and many are coming in on rafts and sklffs.
 Railroad schedules are badly -asar- ranged.
 Rising at Cairo.
 Cairo Ill., March 9--The river is grad uaily rising and registered AZ feet at ' o'clock tonight. It Is expected the guage will show 90 feet by Wednesday. Reports from south of Cairo say that people are removing with all live stock to high ground. The area covered by water below Cairo extends for miles each way, and the water Is spreading rapidly. Cairo wholesale dealers are aiready feeling the effects of the flood upon their business Travelling men cannot make the points where many of their customers are and many of the landings are under water, so that boats cannot deliver freight Many merchants are laying in big stocks of goods The record high water mark at Cairo is 52,2 feet, registered on February 26 1884.
 Town Under Water.
 Columbia. Tex, March 9.-The crest of the flood in the Brazos river has reached this point, and the town is under water. Rail communication with Houston has it's restoration for several days. The river is about ten miles wide and farms are under water. Some stock has been lost, but all of the negroes have gotten out of the bottoms. The water is going across country to the gulf, the regular channels not being sufficient to carry it.
 Heavy Rain in Texas. Dallas. Tax. March 9.-Another terrific