The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-03
Situation in Memphis District
is Serious
TOPS NEW ORLEANS LEVEE
In the Business District OF the City.
Sacks of Mud Being Used to
Strengthen the Embankment.
Davis Island Swamped.

Memphis February with the water
of the Mississippi river tonight at a high
er stage than ever before recorded at
this point. at many points in this vicinity
tapping the summit of the weakened
levees, and a further rise of several
tenths anticipated before the crest OF the
flood is reached tomorrow, the situation
throughout this district tonight Is serious.
The local gauge registers 403, two
tonths above the previous record stage.
As yet all main levees remain intact.
From Mound City and Holly Bush Land
Ing, the points for which the greatest
apprehension was felt, reports are to-
night satisfactory. A
For weeks the work of preparing these
been in progress and levee officials are
confident should weather conditions be
favorable and the volume of the water to
come be no greater than anticipated that
the levees will hold Tonight the tempera-
ture is falling and should a, freezing point
be reached the frozen ground would to a
great extent resist the eneroachments OF
the water. Practically all unprotected
land, much of 1t under cultivation, is now
under water.
At Memphis. several city blocks are
under water a result of the breaking of
of the city. AS a result several hundred
persons were forced to leave their homes
and street ear traffic on one line is badly
crippled. This afternoon the water filtered
into the mains of a local gas company
and forced the company to suspend oper-
atoms for several hours.
The mains. however. are cleared of the
water tonight, and the service resumed.
The breaks In the protection levee nave
been repaired. but the water is seepins
tfsa og.ff4| f.rIy fae rs .
BE- pumped out.
Top Of Levee.
New Orleans February 2.-The Mssis-
sippi river continued to rise slowly hero
today reaching stage Of 1Sd. This is
within about foot of tho highest water
on record at New Orleans, and made tho
water about three inchaa deep on tho
top of two low parts of the levee In tho
business district of the city.
Temporary levees OF sacks of mud have
been constructed at these places.
HIeset Point.
Yieksburg. Miss. February 2.-The
gauge registered this morning 47.G. the
highest point ever reached al Vicksburg
in February. and IA higher than the pre-
vlous record in 1890. The government
steamer Chisca was sent today with sew
eral barges and quarter boats to be
placed where they are most needed. The
barges are loaded with implements and
materials for working on any breaks that
may occur.
On the boats were fifteen convicts that
will be stationed above here to be ready
in any emergency.
Davis Island Inundated.
Natchez, Miss. February 2.-The levee
at Davis Island. twenty miles south OF
Vicksburg broke last night and praeti-
cally the entire island was inundated
at an early hour this morning. Farmers
and stock We're rescued by a passing
packet and brought to this city today.
The island will remain nnder water until
the river recedes. Encouraging reports
were received from Concordia Parish,
Ia. today, and II Is believed the levees
| there viii hold. Satisfactory progress is
| being made in strengthening the embank-
| ment at Bougere. La. Considerab bic appre-
| henslon was felt for the levee In that
| vicinity. The local gauge this evening
showed a rise Of 4 foot during the past
| tWeuty-four hours.