The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-06-14

waves to the present time, ,theNl isslsslp-
pi River, our country's greatest artery
Of commerce, has been an unruly
stream. Since the time when the
memory of man runneth not to the
contrary, this majestic river has oc-
easionslly overhowed its banks and
made desolate the beautiful valley to
which it has given its name-a valley
which rivals in fertility the famous
valley of the Nile. None save the
dwellers in this beautiful valley who
have seen the muddy waters OF the
Mississippi rush with tumultuous cur
rent through the curious embank-
ments, called levees, which wind SER
pentlike along either bank Of the
lordly stream, can realize its might
and majesty.
The levee, which is the salvation Of
the Mississippi valley, is chain Of
earthen mounds 1900 miles in ag-
gregate length, erected at q stupendous
cost.
When it becomes evident that 9
great food in the Mississippi is incvi-
table, preparations to combat it are
Immediately begun. The levee is
divided into sections by mile stakes,
weak places are repaired, and watch
men are placed at intervals along the
line with as many assistants as they
require. Sacks, lumber and other ma
terials essential to high water fight
are distributed where they are likely
30 be needed.
No army ever resisted an invading
foe more persistently than the people
of the low lands fight to keep back the
advancing floods Of the Mississippi.
When the water rises up near the top
of the levee, and it is plainly evident
that it will continue to rise until it
overtops the embankment, the work
Of making the levee higher is begun.
Sacks Of earth are brought from the
landward side Of the embankment and
built into tiers; forming breastwork
against the advancing food. When
It becomes doubtful whether or not
the levee can resist the immense pres
sure against it, all farm work is sus-
pended =aa every available man is
pressed into service. No man con-
siders himself too rich to handle
spade at such times. On one side of
the thin line Of heaped dirt are fertile
fields and grazing stock, on the other
o hurling, gnaving torrent.
The triumphant water creeps over
the crest Of the insufficient breast
work at last. A stream triokles down
the side Of the embankment and
brondens and deepens until it roars
through huge gap hundreds Of feet
long, pouring the wrath Of the floods
upon the fertile fields below; or some
times it is o part Of the great dixie
considered perfectly safe that gives
wey and let's in the destructive food.
AS serious as o high water fight is,
it is not without it's ludicrous occur.
:renoes. c Upon certain occasion, an
experienced civil engineer was hurry
ing to point where the levee was
considered in precarious condition.
Great springs of muddy water we're
Sbnbbling up at it's base, and it's boggy
sides could not bear the weight of q
man. AS he was nearing the dam
gerous point, the engineer met an an.
cient negro hurrying in the opposite
direction.
How is the levee now, old man7"
he anxiously inquired.
"Hits at the pint o death, sah!!"
che old darky shouted, as he broke
into weak.kneed run.
After . erevasse occurs in the levee,
there is 30 time for the gathering to.
gether OF goods and ohattels. Within
tWenty.four hours the whole scene, as
far as eye can see, is . watery waste.
Floating here and there are houses
whose foundations we're insufficient TO
withstand the rush Of water against
them. Many people make q hasty de-
parture, and remain away until the
water recedes. 4 g. .5 B
The great laboring class Of the Mis-
aissiDpi valley is, as every one knows
composed Of negroes. With char
acteristie African lightness Of heart,
the negro does not take an overflow.
seriously. tHe has worked side ~,
aide with his Anglo.ss brother: he
has 1 fought desperately to. save the
white man q country, and when the
sight 10 lost, he takes the result, no
matter how & disastrous it may be,
philosoph phically. 8 81 4, I y 5s .as$ "