Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-04-09
MEN AMID ANIMALS
PROVE CLOSE KIN
IN FACE OF DEATH
Refugees Risk Their Lives
Willingly in Efforts to Save
Live Stock From Being
Drowned
Csx Associated Press.l

MEMPHIS. Tenn, April SAN levees
in the flood menaeed Memphis district
we're holding strong this morning. and
at this point the river had subsided sew
en-tenths OF a foot.
with upper district Ievees holding, the
strain on the dykes in the Yazoo section
increased.
Men worked all night on the embank-
ments south OF Memphis to bolster weak
spots. The danger at several points
along the Arkansas shore has not pass
ed.
Three Mississippi steamers reached
Memphis this morning carrying hundreds
Of homeless persons from the flood
swept lands OF Arkansas in the MOdoc
territory. Many Of these persons tell Of
life loss I'm several of the small towns
that were inundated when the embank-
ment was preached. There is no chance
to verify such reports. but it is accepted
as certain that there have been fatalities
in Philips county, Ark.
REFUGEES ALMOST NAKED.
The refugees who came this morning
saved none of their personal belongings.
Many Of them were almost naked when
they reached the river boats. The boat
captains and more fortunate of the suf-
ferers divided clothing with the needy.
The steamer Kate Adams, which was
near Nodoc Sunday when the crevasse
occurred near there, probably saved hum
dreds OF lives by taking refugees from
RATS and hOusetops. In the midst of the
rescue work, the steamer put out skin
to a woman who sat on the roof of her
floating house.
She sent word back to the captain
that she would not leave unless he would
consent to take her dead baby aboard
the Kate Adams. Accordingly, a soap box
was sent to the floating house, the wom-
an reached behind the chimney, brought
out the babes corpse, placed it in the
box. then she was rowed to the steamer.
The baby was brought to Memphis, and
was buried here today.
One OF the Lee line steamers from
the Arkansas country that reached
here today told OF a desperate fight
with a negro who refused TO leave
raft on which he hoated unless he was
allowed to bring his mule aboard the
steamer.
LOYAL To MULE
As a last resort the captain of the
boat tied the raft, bearing the mule.
behind the steamer. BY some chance
the mule kept his bearings and the
raft was towed safely into Memphis.
Refugees arriving at Helena, Ark.
from hooded districts south told OF
narrowing experiences before they
heard the welcome whistle or the
Memphis. Helena and Louisiana rail-
roads special rescue train sent yes
terday. The railroad is part of the
Missouri Pacific-Iron Mountain sys-
TEN. Parts of the territory through
which il passes is rather thlcSly set
tied. 1t was through this section
that the train stopped frequently to
pick up survivors. Running slowly
and with its locomotive blasts re-
peated at intervals of a few seconds.
the train bore men whose trained sense
OF hearing would detect calls, cries and
shouts from points on either side OF
the tracks.
Refugees waded backwater for hun
dreds of yards. often swimming, to
gain the embankment before the train
passed. Some would founder in water
up to their waists and these we're
aided by the rescuins party on the
train.
Perched on housetops, on roofs OF
barns-often fioating-or clinging 20
trees in perilous places. the refugees
in some sections south of Helena had
about abandoned hope when they heard
the whistle OF the trains.
saw Ed b S1EE4fN-
In portions of Crittenden county.
Arkansas, where the flood spread when
the St. Claire loop broke Saturday, few
persons are believed to remain ma
rooned by the flood. Refugees still ar
rived today at Marion. Some of them
told Of narrow escapes. One small
farmer probably owes his life a
steer. His wife and children he had
sent to higher ground in advance OF
the thrush of water. Hoping to save
the most OF his live stock, he re-
NAMED at his home. constructing a
raft The break came before he had
completed his task. The water was
rising quickly and immediate flight
was imperative. A steer raised as a
pet was the nearest animal. The
farmer mounted its back and the
steer forded the water. taking the man
TO safety.