New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-04-13
WATERS SMASH tEVEE
AND POUR INTO TOWNS
Biu Dixie on Lower Mississippi
Breaks and Flood Races Over
Prosperous Area.
STORM HAMPERS FIGHTERS
Rain and Wind Discourage Those
Who Attack the Oncoming
Deluge-Memphis APP
peals to Taft.

Greenvile. Miss April l2.-The Missis-
slppi River levee at Panther Forest nine
teen miles above Greenville, on the
Arkansas shore. gave way late to-day, ana
tonight the water is finding it's way over
two hundred square miles OF rich farming
lands and several prosperous towns toward
the Tensas and Arkansas River. Sixty
townships in Chicot Fast Ashley, Drew
and Deslia counties in Arkansas, and East
Carroll Parish, La. will be inundated
Lake Village. with a population OF Low"
is the most important town in the path
of the water. So far as can be ascertalned
tonight there has been no loss Of life.
The crevasse will decrease the strain on
the east bank. both at this point and al
Greenvile, where it was feared a break
would occur. Chief Engineer Shackelford
of the Mississippi Levee Board predicted
tonight the water here would fall foot
within twenty-four hours.
The crevasse AT Panther Forest is re-
gsrded as more important than those
along the upper stretches Of the river.
The territory which will be inundated Is
more thicky populated and the waters
sweep will have n wider range. Chlcot
County. which practically will be covered.
has a population OF twenty-five thousand.
A break IA also reported in the Arkansas
River near Red Fork, on the northern
boundary Of Chcot County. Early TO-
might the water was flooding the environs
of Arkansas City. The waters of the two
trevasses will join.
Reports from several other points south
pf this city are not encouraging. A heavy
rain and wind storm hampered the work
Of those fighting back the food to-day
and beat the water into waves against the
banks.
Memphis. Tenn, April i2--Wire commune
ration with Luxora and Osceola, Ark IN
lterrupted since this morning was tenn
Iporarily restored early tonight and, whiie
the levees holding back the MISSISSIPPI
River food at these points were still stand
Ing the situation was described as ex-
fremely critical. Later in the night efforts
to communicate with either point were
without result
Flood hghting material and implements
are badly needed. and appeal was made TO-
dsy to President Taft asking that the local
United States engineers office be directed
10 hurry engineers and burlap TO the scene
A steamer with men and bags mas started
for Luxore. No loss or LIE is feared III the
event of a breach.
Work OF caring for refugees is moving
RAPIDLY under United States army officers
supervision. Depots for this section are
maintained at Memphis, Hickman, Ky.
Little Rock and Helena, Ark. Boats con-
tinuallv ply the river bringing sunerers or
taking supplies.
Tho Tribune received the following DIS
patch from E. II. Crump. Mayor of Mem
phis. last night:
Report that Memphis is Hooded is aoso-
lutely false and utterly absurd There are
not more than eight blocks In the northern
part Of the city. on Bayou Gayoso. affected
by the high water from the Mississippi
River Memphis proper is on high bluii.
one hundred feet above the river now. In
view Of the misleading reports and greet
Injustice done our city | am going 70 ask
that you he kind enough TO give this mes
sage publicity.