The Sentinel=record., 1912-04-05
GRAVE FLOOD
 SITUATION
LEVEEs STILL HOLDING BUT TOR. RENTS LASH THE BANKS IN
 DANGEROUS MANNER.
sunshine and Warmth Aid the Levee Workers in Fighting Back the
 Floods-New Madrid Under Three Feet of Water

Memphis Tenn. April 4.-Whlle all man leyees are holding the floods flashing is telling on the banks of the Mississippi river, and tonight the sit uation is not so hopeful. Several weak spots have developed especal- ly at Mound City, Ark, and in the heelfoot leyee, west of Hickman Ky Large forces of laborers and yolun- teers are at work bolstering up the slonghing entertainments and pilng sahd bags where the water is tapping the crest
 Another day of sunshine favored those fighting back the waters and 8 bulletin tonight from the headquar- teTs of the government engineers Who are directing the fight expresses confidence that the battle will be won. At Memphis the water is with. (in twotenths of the 44-foot dead pline," set by s. c. Emery, govern ment forecaster, Mr. Emery is of the opinion that the levees cannot stand - np under the strain of more than A feet
 Reports from various sources today were that the Reelfoot leyee had gone out and that the flood was pouring over populous farming lands These reports were unfounded. Associated Press has been in wire communication with Hickman, within eyesight of the embanlkment, throughout the day and night. and late reports are that the leyee is still holding although the sit nation is grave. A force of several hundred men, government laborers and volunteer workers is washing the surface of the ievee. Two hundred men are at work at this point.
 South of Memphis the levees are reported strong and. while thousands of acres of lowlands are under wa ter, there has been no breaks nor re- ports of serious danger Refugees from the flooded territories are flock ing into the cities and towns on the highlands by the thousands. Railroad service has not been seriously ham, pered. as yet and large forces of men are at work raising the tracks. At Natchez, Miss the funderthahill section is being overflowed but Natchez proper, situated on a high bluff, is in no danger The city's wa terworks plant, however, is under the hill, and the levee which protects it from overflow Is being topped with sandbags
 A force of men were sent from Natchez tonight to strengthen the levee at Bayou Sara, La
 Conditions in the flooded cities of Hickman and Columbus. Ky, were relieved today when foodstuffs and tents were brought in. Tiptonville and Union City, Tenn, sent provisions by wagon this afternoon. The first freight train since Monday, came in Several thousand refugees are being cared for at Hickman. Columbus is almost entirely flooded.
 In Memphis the flood water is slow ly spreading in the northern part of the city. The gravity of the local sit uation was increased today when it was determined the water in the mains which supplies the nortwest- ern district was being contaminated by seepage from the overflow into which sewage is running Warnings were issued to houseeholders to boil all drinking water and restaurants and hotels were informed that prose cutions would follow if the same course is not pursued Preparations have been made to disinfect the flood ed district as the water recedes pr. John Bell, secretary and acting execu- tive of the Memphis health depart ment, is confident the citys health will not be endangered. Chemical an alysis of the water supply are to be made daily.
 Memphis has added naval squad to her police department. Bluecoats in skiffs and on rafts traverse the flooded districts to prevent footing.
 Stationary at Cairo.
 Cairo, H., April 4.-The Cairo leyee were standing firm tonight with the river stationary at 539 This is one and seven-tenths feet above the pre- vious record
 The levees which protect the city were raised and strengthened today and every foot of the city's big leYee system is being constantly watched. The city is safe, but an enormous loss has resulted from the flooding of the drainage district north of here.
 The Illinois Central annulled most <f the trains due into Cairo tonight and the Big Four is continuing ser vice out of the city only by the use of tug connections with trains at