The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-04-09
HOLOCAUST IN, ARKANSAS
WAS NARROWLY AVERTED
People of Wyanoke on Roofs and
Scaffoldings in Church When
Relief Came.
We're Making Last Stand From
Encroaching Water-Flood
Crisis Is at Hand.

MEMPHIS. Tenn. April S.-The
crisis in the Mississippi valleys tre-
mendous food is imminent. Chief
anxiety centers in the situation along
the rivers reaches south of Memphis
III the dikes of Arkansas. Mississippi
and North Louisiana, hold for another
S6 hours. then the fertile valleys OF
the delta and the Yazoo south OF
Memphis will be spared. State and
government officials say the dikes on
the eastern banks will withstand the
tremendous pressure that will be ex.
erted by the floods crest. Neverthe-
less. they are apprehensive and fear
OF breaks along the western dikes is
shown by reports OF the abandonment
OF home and villages in the lowlands
from Helena to the southwark.
Thousand Are Rescued.
Stirring stories OF the rescue OF the
refugees in the fiood-swept territory
of upper Arkansas have reached Mem.
ohis. One thousand or more persons
narooned in Wyanoke. Ark. were
brought to Memphis late yesterday af-
ternoon. rescued through the initia-
tive OF n Memphis citizens commit
tee. which made the hazardous trim
TO Wyanoketo investigate the stories
OF suffering. The reports were amply
verified.
In church we're found scores of
the sufferers who had taken refuge
there when the flood descended. As
the water rose the refugees built scat
folding with the pews ana thus Kept
their heads above the surface. On the
high ground and in the attics of the
houses near Wyanoke hundreds more
victims were found. All were taken
to Memphis yesterday afternoon.
Refugees from the Modoc flood dis
trict, south of Memphis. who were
taken to Helena and Memphis yester-
day. say there has been some loss OF
life In that section.
These reports are unverified. and
the mayor OF Helena sent to the As
sociated Press an emphatic statement
declaring there had been no fatalities
from the breaks south OF his city.
Loss May Be s1a.ooo. 900. .. t
Unofficial estimates OF the damage
vary widely. Many persons who know
every bend in the great river from
New Orleans to Cairo, say the pecun-
iary loss will amount 20 ten millions
Other persons equally conversant with
the situation modify this estimate
Probably the heaviest specific loss
must be estimated in the destruction
OF homes. the loss OF live stock and
the damage TO manufacturing plants in
the upper food district The number
OF fatalities has been small Prompt
warnings have preceded the rivers
rise and residents OF the threatened
districts have been more or less alert
Probably thirty fatalities would meet
the conservative total
There has. however. been tremen-
Gus suffering among the homeless or
the 10000 or more persons who have
been driven forth BY the raging tide.
hundreds have gone hungry and with
out water for many hours before sue
cor reached them. Hundreds have
been imprisoned on housetOpg. IN t-,.ss
and anchored on RATS for long peri Jis
Despite the ample warnings many %
the Arkansas and Tennessee home
steaders remained by their property
until the last minute and then scores
~ them acre 'aken from their f0oi
imposed places ~ refuge half naled
The situation IN Nemph proper 70
rapidiv assuming ifs normal Street
cars have resrrlef service ia the com
paratively snlsil flooded district ~ ne
cify's low land