The Washington times., 1912-04-09
FAR SOUTH IS NOW
BEARING BRUNT OF
MISSISSIPPI FLOOD
Water Recedes at Memphis
and Rises at Vicksburg.
Thousands Flee.

ST LOUIS, Mo-. April s.--The Missis-
sippi flood is moving gradually down
4 the valley and unless levees hold, more
territory will be inundated. According
1 TO reports made to the local weather
bureau today there has been rise of
I six-tenths OF foot at Vicksburg. Miss,
! within the past twenty-four hours, the
stage at that point being hfty feet to-
day.
! A rise of four-tenths OF foot is noted
at New Orleans. The river has fallen
! tenth of a foot at Memphis and re-
mains at standstill at Cairo.
! Anxiety over the flood situation today
centers In the threatened breaks of tie
levees along the Arkansas and north
Louisiana shores.
Leaders fighting to hold the levees on
hold off the tide. Nevertheless, the ex-
/ odus in north Mississippi ut several
threatened points has begun.
South of Memphis today there are
guarding the Arkansas shores, and
these crevasses temporarily relieve the
strain. In the Mississippi, Arkansas,
and Louisiana villages behind the lev
ees alarm ocer the threat of the on
coming crest is spreading, and hundreds
Of villagers and farmers have fed to
the highlands.
The river at this port at o'clock had
fallen to stage Of 43.7 feet, and most
OF the steamers were able to resume
traffic. The activities of boats and off,
Gals were chiefly in the relief of the
suffering thousands.
OFFICERS of the steamboat Charles
! organ declare hundreds of head of
cattle are standing on the levees of
Arkansas without food. and many have
drowned In their attempts to
! gain the mainland. These cattle, un-
der the quarantine law, cannot be
taken to Tennessee.
Men Reported Drowned.
Two men have been reported drowned
at ]. A. Kirbys plantation, eight miles
! above Memphis. Governor Hooper to-
day sent carload of tents, blankets,
| stoves, and hospital supplies to Men,
) phis.
} Rescue boats were busy bringing from
q Wyanoke, Ark, the refugees who had
been marooned on knolls, housetops,
and An a church since the 1evee broke
tweNes miles south OF Memphis Sat
urday. Many were thinly clad, and
all were suffering from hunger and
thirst
The inundation of a portion Of the
northern section of Memphis, populated
largely by negroes. has ceased. Street
car traffic through that part of the
are preparing to move back into their
homes.
The first of the wyanoke refugees to
be rescued was an assembly of about
where they had taken refuge when the
Ievee broke. Their supply of pro-
visions was scanty. When 1t was seen
that the water would invade the church
a scaffold was built of pews, and on
this platform more than twoscore
perched throughout Sunday.
Attempts to get food were made oy
= the stronger of the men who constructed
RATS and explored the ippedtate par
/ of the township. Scarcely 4ey ming was
obtained. The plight of These people
| and Of others nearby on roofs OF houses
! on RATS. and on small hills, now pe
! come islands. was reported to the Mem
phis authorities early today.
Many Found I'LL " -
The mayor and a number of officials
, went to the scene. They found con
| dttions even worse than had been re
| ported Many of the old persons were
! sertously Ill from exposure and lack o.
| nutriment- Some had half waded ant
| IA many instances had been forcec
to swim TO places Of safety.
A Memphis citizens committee raiset
|. funds, purchased supplies, and ar
ranged today for the pitching of tent
| at the Trf-State fair grounds. A tenn
! porary hospital was erected in thu
| camp. Physicians volunteered thei
| services. Nurses were provided, AM
were in waiting when the arrivals be
gan. Food in abundance was In readi