Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1908-12-04

plete destruction of the two biz sta bles Of Berlin Brothers. where the rive r won against masses of pA!n@ and scores of fascines, has complete ly funnerved adjoining property own ers and they are standing by await ihg./their fates. None have leen dis Appointed thus far for the rises Thanks, upon which they are relying, are crumbling rapidly.
 ] To add to their troubles the supply of rope was exhausted during the day and Little Rock and other citins were !; appealed to for shipments. The ro2a cables are being used to hold the lfascines in place. One big shipment, which relieved the situation Sso.ut, was received from the capital last night
 1 While the situation is somewhat improved in the vicinity of the Hotel Jefferson and court square it has grown more serious two blocks fur ther east. The steamer boats. C. P, Reese and snagboat, Arkansas, mem lbers of the government fleet were forced to leave the foot of Chestnut street today and float to q point q mile below the city. The strong current of the river threatened to damage the boats. It is rumored that several insurance companies have cancelled politics of business houses and others in the danger zone, but this could not be confirmed, The only dyke that has successfuliy withstood the vicious current gave way tonight after being strengthened |property along the river front at Ala bama and East Barraque streets ana already the bank at that point is cav ing at an alarming rate. Arc lights, placed on the river front to aid work men there were carried down stream before linemen could save them.
 It was rumored on the streets yes terday that government officials were here Investigating the blasting which took away part of the Boyd point last night, but it developed later that the supposed secret service men were Captain Lukesh and William Parkin government engineers, who came here to superintend the river fight.
 The government levee on the north side of the river, just one mile away from the point which was dynamited last night is reported to be weaken ing and might give way at any mo- lment. This is the levee which the |people wanted to cut through several Idays ago, but Secretary Wright of the War Department would not admit of lit.
 The bursting of gas main~on the river front this afternoon came very Inear causing a serious confiagration The gas was ignited and the fire de- pertinent had to be called to ex- |tinguish the blaze. which was spread ling to the several hundred cords i brush stored on the river front.
 Chicago Lends Encouragement. Many telegrams, offering assistahce land sympathy have been received by city and county officials during tho lpast week, but one of the most in |teresting was that received yesterday by Secretary J. l.. Caldwell, of the Pine Bluff Board of Trade. from Richard c. Hall, president of the Chi lcago Association of Commerce, whose members recently visited this city on their Southwestern tour and were hospitably entertained here. The mes- sage of President Hall reads:
 "Our Association, lately in touch with your progressive people, learns with deep concern of your city suf fering serious loss from river; and Ieven threatened with disheartening disaster. Our sympathy is yours. We are sure you will find way to pro- Itect city. and secure to Arkansas the growth of a courageous and splendid community."
 q Fire Alarmed Spectators. While crews of men were lowering