Imperial Valley press., 1912-04-04
DISASTER GAINS HOURLY
IN THE FLOODED DISTRICTS
ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI

[BY UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATIONSl
CAIRO, H., April 4.-This city is
threatened with complete inundation
by the breaking of the three levees
to the north. Nine square miles al
ready is submerged and the damage
is estimated at S5,OOO,OO0. All rail and
wire communication with the outside
world is severed and communication
is confined to boats. The news asso-
Citations and papers are operating swift
motor boats into the city. They are
permitted by state authorities to op-
crate only on condition that they carry
supplies on each trip. An immense
hole in the Big Four levee along the
Ohio river is permitting millions OF
gallons of water to flow through hour
ly. Twenty-Five lumber plants are in
undated.
|. Future City a town of 800 is COM
pletely over washed, only the chin
neys and wind mills showing above
the water. The loss is heavy
Higher Water Coming
MEMPHIS, April 4.-With the wea.
ther bureau predicting a two-foot rise
in the Mississippi within 4S hours,
warnings are being sent to all inland
towns behind the local levees. The
low lands already are flooded for miles
and guards are watching the levees.
Flood conditions prevail as far south
as Vicksburg and Baton Rouge.
Appeals for Help
HICKMAN, KY, April 4.-"For
Gods sake ask congress to approprf
ate $4,000 Immediately to relieve suf.
FERNS here"
This message was telegraphed Sen.
ator Ollie James by Mayor Dillon to.
day. 1t gives faint idea of condi-
tions here. More than 1000 are home
less and actually facing starvation.
They are sleeping on the rainsoaked
hills without covering or shelter. The
town is under Is feet of water.
The announcement that the river is
expected to rise two feet before night
has caused CONSERVATION, many fear
ing that the entire town will wash
away. The city officials are planning
to protest at the governments action
in sending 200 army tents here with
express unpaid. On account of the
food conditions money is unavailable
to pay eXpressage. The city was COM
PEELED to borrow $120 from the bank
of a neighboring town before the eX-
pless company would surrender the
tents All the churches in the hill
districts are packed with refugees. The
plight of the children is pitiable, with
their parents unable to give them
food or warmth. Twenty-three res
cues from housetops were made yes
terday by a gasoline launch. When
the launch deposited the party here
two members, Ray Hall and Jennie
Griffin. rushed to the court house and
were married.
Thousands of addition refugees from
the stricken sections above here ar
rived at noon, adding to the food scare
ity problem. Appeals are being sent
broadcast by every possible means.
The river continues to rise and the
refugees are retreating further up the
hillsides.
Free Rations Sent
WASHINGTON, April 4.-President
Taft has ordered the army quartermas-
ter-general to furnish rations to the
Mississippi flood sufferers wherever
needed. The order followed a con-
ference with Senator Ollie James, who
presented an appeal from Hickman,
Ky, and men from Louisville. The
Quartermasters department has sent
food to the flooded section.
Risinq at ST. Louis
ST. LOUIS, April 1.-THE Mississip-
pi rose eight feet during the last "a
hours, reaching 304 feet. Further rise
is predicted Although the Missouri