The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-05
Farmers Abandon LOwIand and
Villagers Move Upstairs.
RESIDENTS OF TWO TOWNS
Are Reported Clinging to
House Tops and Trees.
The Missouri Continues to Rise
at Kansas City.

While reports today from upper
stretches of river territory were, on
the whole, encouraging to thousands oi
high water refugees in towns along the
Mississippi, nevertheless indications
continue to point to the development OF
an even more serious flood situation
in the lower valley than now exists
Today was marked by the usual
number of alarming rumors OF serious
disasters, many proving erroneous upon
investigation. The backwater from
drainage pump at Cairo, Ill, led to the
report that the levee which protects
Cairo from the Ohio river had pro
ken and that the city was doomed. "A
prompt denial of this report was made
by the United States weather obser-
Ner at Cairo who said no serious dam
ger was apprehended.
The crest of the flood will not be
reached in the St. Louis-Memphls
stretch of the Mississippi for day or
two and, even in, the event OF contlu-
GUS fair weather, the immense volume
of water now pouring into the MissIs-
sippi from its numerous tributaries
threaten critically high stages at lower
river points.
The crest of the present flood wave
in the Ohio is expected at Louisville
Saturday night or Sunday.
Those points which are being given
the greatest attention include the Reel
foot lake levee, several miles south OF
Hickman, Ky. A narrow strip of lano
separates the Mississippi river from
Reelfoot lake at this point, and the
efforts of a thousand or more laborers
are being devoted to Strengthening
the Ievee that protects several counties
in northwest Tennessee.
Flood warnings have been sent to ali
points along the lower river and thou
sands of refugees are seeking temper
ary homes in the high lands.
The death list throughout the flood
area reached Is, a logger losing his life
in the Kentucky river and five persons,
a whole family, being drowned near
Birds Point, Mo. Two farmers are re-
ported drowned near Birds Point.
Various estimates ranging from So
100000 to $1O,0000O0 have been placed
on the property damage recorded 50
far.
Memphis, Tenn, April 5.-New
breaches that appeared in the levees
holding back the Mississippi added to
the menace of the flood situation last
night and at dawn couriers were on
their way behind the long stretches of
weakening embankments, warming
planters out of the danger path.
From Golden Lake, so miles north of
Memphis, to Hubert, Ark, conditions
this morning seem particularly threat |
ening.
Near Hubert a stretch of revetment |
200 wards long threatens to collapse. |
Farmers have abandoned the lowlands |
and residents of Hubert have moved |
to upper floors while merchants are
packing their stocks to be shipped TO |
places of safety.
Star Landing. Ark, also is in imme |
diate danger and at half dozen points |
the levees south of Cairo threaten to i
collapse.
AS far south as Bayou Sara. the low
lands outside the main levees are in
undated. Farmers have moved their /
and farming implements to high |
ground.
The government dredge fleet at Mem
phis is being utilized in saving life and |
property Gasoline launches We're sent
out from Charleston, Mo, to Birds Mill |
and Wyatt to rescue residents of the
two villages. who are reported clinging
TO housetops and in tree In answer to
an appeal from Randolph. Tenn, a
squad of militiamen left Memphis this
morning with tents and supplies for
refugees.
At Memphis this morning the river
stage was 44.2 feet, a rise C four -tenths
since Z o'clock last night.
Missouri Is Rising.
Kansas City, Mo-, April 5.-Having
risen six-tenths of a f-ot since yester-
day the Missouri river had attained a
depth of 22.2 feet above low water mark
here this morning and continued to
creep up towards the flood stage of %
feet.
P Connor, the government weather
forecaster. said the river would become
stationary during the next "a hours and
begin to fall tomorrow. The Kansas
river and other Kansas streams We're
falling rapidly today.
Above Flood Stage.
Cincinnati April 5.-With the Ohio
river 51.7 feet II feet above the flood
stage here today, the indications are
that it will not go above 81 feet No
serious damage has resulted so far
Slight Fall at Cairo.
Cairo, Ill, April 5.-The drainage dis
trict north of Cairo this morning pre-
sented a desolate scene.
The lumber from houses and sheds
floats about the district in water prob
ably 10 feet deep, while here and there
the tops of houses may be seen.
The water went into the eastern part
of the district last night with a rush
and roar. The lumber piles at the
yard were turned over and tossed about
like tooth picks Water reached the
subway under the Illinois Central
bridge approach shortly before dark
and at midnight had almost reached
khe top of the bulkhead when it reached