Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-06-16
STRICKEN BY FLOODS
Almost the Entire Arkansas River
Bottoms Inundated.
MANY OF THE LEyEES GIVING WAY.
The Loss TO Farmers Will BE Heavy. ss II
10 Too Late TO Replant-The Mail
Service Getting into Shape
Once More.

Washington, June IAN appeal for
assistance for people In the food
stricken country In the west came yes
terday In q telegram to the depart
ment of agriculture from Representa-
tive Charles c. Reid. Of Arkansas. He
wired as follows:
Almost the entire Arkansas river
bottoms inundated. Probably all the
cotton crop destroyed. 1t is extreme
ly late to replant Can you suggest
the kind Of cotton seed that natures
early In the fall and where 1t may be
obtained. 1t Is contended that cotton
planted now will not mature. Please
furnish as early as possible any infor-
nation or suggestions that you may
have of value to us. The loss to this
country Is the biggest ever known.
Many families are destitute"
Acting Secretary Of Agriculture
Brigham Immediately conferred with
his assistants and later Col. Brigham
telegraphed in reply that he regretted
the department could not furnish the
seed and said:
III the local seed is planted imme-
diately by the 18th there Is probable
ity of getting a crop, but the chances
are against 1t. It is difficult to procure
seed from here in time to make a
crop"
Col Brigham then suggested two va
rieties of cotton and added: There
is a better chance to secure crop of
corn If planted before July 1. Consult
with the experiment station at Fay
etteville regarding the advisabalfty of
planting sweet potatoes and especially
COW peas There is always good sale
for COW pea seed"
Levees Giving Way on the Arkansas River.
Little Rock, Ark, June 11.-A spe-
cial to the Gazette from Pine Bluff
says: The steady rise Of. the Arkan-
sas river has resulted in flooding near
ly all Of Jefferson county adjoining
the river and for some distance inland.
Thousands Of acres of growing crops
are under water, in several instances
being washed up entirely. The loss to
farmers in this region will reach thou
sands Of dollars, as 1t is too late in
the year to replant. Levees down the
river on the northern side are giving
way rapidly and this lets the water far
inland. Sheriff., in Plum Bayou town
ship, is under water and in some
places the water covers the floors Of
the stores in the heart Of the town.
The whole Of Pastoral township is I'M
der water and every plantation in that
district is flooded.
A message from Col. John Oracle at
the Hannaberry place says that all the
levees In that section broke early yes
terday morning and that fully 1000
acres of land are under water ON his
plantation alone.
The Mall Service Getting into Shape.
Washington, June 11.-OfHcial dis
patches to the post office department
yesterday say It is reported that the
rivers are rising again in southern
Kansas, Oklahoma and Indian terri
tory and that the probabilities are that
the Missouri, Kansas & Texas line may
be broken at Vfnita- The condition OF
the service on railroads in the Kansas
City postal district are reported as
improved and in the absence Of ad-
vices to the contrary from the Wichita |
district Division Superintendent Taft,
Of the railway mail service, at St.
Louis reports that he assumes q SINH
lar improvement has occurred in the
Wichita country. The Missouri. Kan
sas & Texas line is now open from
Parsons to Denison. Between Sedalia
and Parsons through trains are run
ming by way Of Paola, but stub" trains
are on the main line between wash
puts. The service between Junction
City and Parsons is broken and will
require two or three days Of favorable
unonA ha1 - av,aN