The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-25
Thirty Thousand Acres Covered with
the Waters of the Mississippi by
the Breaking OF Levee.
SITUATION AT OTHER POINTS
EMBANKMENTs THAT PROTECT THE
YAZOO DELTA STRENGTHENED.
River Rising Slowly at New Orleans,
but No Danger Apprehended-
Several Lives Lost.

VICKSBURG, Miss, March 24.-Thirty
thousand acres are flooded tonight by the
breaking OF a protection levee around La
coma Circle. Ark, twenty-five miles north
OF Rosedale, Miss. The crevasse, according
to Rosedale dispatch to the Herald, is
several hundred yards wide. So suddenly
did the water rush through. the people
living in the inundated territory had to
flee in haste, taking refuge on the govern
ment levee In the rear. Considerable live
stock was lost, and the negroes there are
said to be without provisions. There Is no
telegraphic or phone communication to La
coma and the exact situation cannot be as
certained.
ARKANSAS CITY, Ark, March 4-The
steamer Kate Adams has just arrived at
this port and brings news of a break which
occurred In the levee at Laconia Circle yes
terday evening. in the upper part Of the
circle, near the j. b. Thornton plantation.
This levee protects something over $1,000
acres of the finest land in Dasha county
and is located in the upper part of the
county. about twenty miles above the
mouth of the Arkansas river. The condi-
tons are growing more critical all along
the line every hour and weak places are de-
ton. The entire line is being guarded
closely and every citizen is at work assist
ing the government authorities and the
Desha levee board. The crest of the wave
is now passing and IL the levees can be
held itnact for few days longer the condi-
ton will begin to improve. News was re-
ceived here to-day that it was thought the
Leland levee, which is located in Chicot
county, about thirty-five miles below this
place, could not be held intact much longer.
MEMPHIS. Tenn, March 24--The river
has remained stationary all day at 1914 feet,
which has been something of a surprise in
the face of the fall which has occurred
since the crest of the flood was reached
The tents supplied by the government have
arrived and are being employed in giving
shelter to the destitute refugees.
Tomorrow night will see all western
lines operating passenger service on sched-
ule time. Freight traffic will be resumed
the following day.
NATCHEZ, Miss, March 24-Sycamore
levee is now being strengthened from the
rear and dykes to drain off the seepage are
being arranged. The river rose two-tenths
of foot IN the past twenty-four hours,
reading 49.7, or one-tenth lower than the
highest stage in 1897. This rise does not
allay the feeling of uneasiness and planters
in many places are preparing for any emer-
gency. Alarming reports as to the con-
ditions OF the levee four miles south of
Arkansas City, Ark, reached this city
to-day, but later reports from the interior
points were to the effect that the levee,
which has been caving badly, will be held
by the forces employed there: Raccourie
Island, Louisiana, which includes nineteen
plantations, is entirely under water.
Speed. of the Tensas Basin Levee Board
received this evening from Commissioner
Barham, who Is at Arkansas City, the
troll, bank safe and large force at work;
rise of L. Other conditions good" A guard
reached Monroe tonight from Gaines's
Landing, twelve miles below Arkansas City
He reports that water Is running over the
levee at Boggy bayou and that when he left
a large force had been sent there to top
and strengthen the levee. In spite of high
splendidiy standing the strain and the feel
ing is returning that the Yazoo delta will
be spared from further trouble. With three
days more of clear weather 1t is felt that
danger will be past.
NEW ORLEANS. March A.-The Missis-
sfppi river gauge here tonight registers
2O1 feet rise of one-tenth Of a foot dur
ing the day, but the conditions are un-
changed and engineers still expect the crest
of the flood to pass without mishap even in
La Fourche and Ponchartrain districts
where the hardest fight is being made. A
report received here tonight from Donald
sonville. La. states that the break in La
Fourche levee. near Thibadox, although
vile, has caused no fall on either side of
the river or the bayou at Donaldsonville
and that. on the contrary. the river there
rose three-tenths Of foot in the past twen-
w hours.