The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-09
Refugees Are Taken From knOlls, Housetops and
 High Spots
FLOOD SITUATION
 IN MEMPHIS BETTER
Absolutely No Danger at New Or leans-Refugees Are Pouring Into Memphis-Featuros
 of the Flood

Memphis, April s.--Rescue boats were still busy tonight bringing from Wan oke, Ark, refugees who had been ma rooned on knolls housetops and in a church since the levee break, F miles south of Memphis, Saturday
 Many were thinly clad. All. were suffering from hunger and thirst. Sew eral hundred had arrived here early tonight and 1t was expected that by morning the number would be no less than 1eo0. e.+s+-
 The inundation of portion of the northern section of Memphis, populated largely by negroes, has ceased; the wa ter had receded, vacating houses; street car traffic through that part of town las been resumed and people are pre- pairing to move back Into their homes, after orders of the health department, as precautionary measure, have been complied with so as to prevent sick ness.
 Boats to Wyanoke
 Scores of boats went to Wyanoke this afternoon after Mayor E. II. Crump had issued an appeal addressed to the Memphis Boat club. The first to be rescued was an assembly of about half hundred persons. They were in church, where they had taken refuge when the levee broke. Their supply of provisions was scanty. When 1t was seen that the water would invade the church a scaffolding was built of pews, and on this platform .hore than two score were perched throughout Sun day.
 Attempts to secure food were made by the stronger of the men, who con ! structed rafts and explored the imme- diate part of the township. Scarcely anything was obtained The plight ol these people and of others nearoy, on roofs of houses, on rarts and on small hills now. become islands, was reported to the Memphis authorities early to- day The mayor and number of of- ficials secured a motor boat and went to the scene. They found conditions even worse than had been seporied
 III From Esnosure
 Many Of tae more ased we're seriously il from exposure and the lack of nutrl- ment Some had half waded, and in many instances had been forced 10 sWiin to a place of safety. Children were found wrapped in bits of bed clothing. Adult persons had almost stripped themselves of clothing to give to younger members of their families. Women huddled to- eetber. wearing coats provided by men. Baby girls hugged to their posoms rag dolls or silently mourned the loss or tleir toys One sturdy youngster, lad Of years, swallowed sterny and rubbed his mud begrimed chin as he recounted the rescue and later loss of his beloved rocking horse.
 A citizens committee raised funds, pur- chased supplies and arranged for the of a grounds late today. A temporary hospital was erected in the camp. Physicians Vol- unteered their services. Nurses were provided and were in waiting when the arrivals began. Cooked food in abundance was in readiness, fires heated scores of large pots of coffee.
 Without Matches
 On many of the islands" near Wyan- oko no matches remained this afternoon when the rescuers appeared. Fires had been built and maintained wherever pos sible throughout last night. They served to givez warmth to the refugees, and 1t was hoped they would attract the attention of passing boats The latter proved true, for tile first reports received at Memphis of the plight of the Wyanoke people came as a result of the fires hay ing been seen.
 At first fear of contamination prevented the refugees from drinking river water during Sunday when thirst became pain fu after the exciting experiences ef the preceding night Later small qualities of flesh water were obtained, but not In sufficient quantity to supply the needs of those marooned in the vicinity. River water was therefore strained and used as a last extremity Medicines were admin istered to ward off illness as soon as the refugees reached camp at Memphis. Sev- era persons were taken to hospitals. Refugees Reach Memphis Three Mississippi packets reached here carrying hundreds of homeless from the Modoc. Ark. territory Many of these persons tell of loss of life in several of the smaller towns that were inundated when the embankments were preached. There is no chance to verify reports, but they are accepted as hall true ana there have been fatalities in Phillips county, Arkansas.
 The refugees saved none of their. per sonal belongings Many were almost i. naked Bost captains and more fortu- nate of the sufferers divided clothes with needy
 The packet Adams which was near Modoc Saturday when the crevasse oc- cured near there, probably saved hun dreds of lives by taking refugees from rafts and housetops. In the midst oi the rescue work the steamer put out , a skiff to 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 tc take her dead baby aboard the boat A small box was sent to the floating house The woman reached behind a chimney produced the dead child and placed Il in the improvised casket She and tho body was taken to the steamer. Botl were brought to Memphis. The baby was buried. \J Must Have Mule
 One of the Lee line steamers arrived here later A story was told of q ne. gro refusing to come aboard the steamer unless his mule was rescued. As las resort the captain lowed the raft witt the mule behind the packet The raf and cargo was brought safely into port
 Refugees arriving at Helena, Ark, iron flooded districts south told of harrowine experiences before they heard the vel come whistle of the Memphis. Helena and Louisiana railroads special rescue train sent out yesterday.
 Tn portions of Crittenden county Ar. kansas. where the flood spread when the St Clair loop broke Saturday few per. .s.. sons are believed to remain maroonet by the flood. Refugees still arrived I today at Marion. Some of them told ol
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