The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-04-11
MISSISSIPPI UA I.
A Wild orgy
THOUSANDS OF ACRES IN THE
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY ARE
SWEPT CLEAN.
MORE LEvEEs BROKEN.
Tide SWirIing Toward Gulf-WaIls Of
Water Surround Cairo-Sym-
pathizers Donate to .l
Refugees.

nCuOSSSSs
Memphis, April 8. - In the wide
stretches of the Mississippi's flooded
acres there are three striking pic
lures. The northernmost is the 10(
square miles of the Reelfoot lake
country OF Tennessee where more
than 1000 persons have been driven
from their homes by the smashing Of
Mississippi levee in southwestern
Kentucky. In this district thousands
of acres of fertile fields are under
water Scores of persons who have
refused to desert their homes now
are imprisoned in upper floors and on
roofs Of flood-menaced houses
A few miles south in Arkansas
three counties are under water From
this rich bottom country hundreds
of farmers and villagers have been
driven. Flood waters swept over the
fertile fields and thriving villages with
the breaking of the levee on. the Ar
kansas side, north of Memphis, >.
Sunday great numbers, of persons
marooned on roofs and houses and in
trees, were taken out Of the flooded
districts in boats. Probably many
more water-imprisoned are in immi
nent peril. There are not boats
enough to perform the rescue work
required. Three counties-Critten
den. Poinsett and Cross-are flooded
Homes Swept Away.
The scene south of these points i'm.
press one with the might Of a giant
stream on a rampage. Homes that
once marked the center of rich bot.
tom farms now float in a torrent that
cannot be stayed Bits of wreckage
carried along in the tawny tide re-
lect tho extent Of tho damage in the
valley above. '%'
Reporters Risk Lives.
Attempts to cover the story along
the stretch of levees from southern
Missouri and Illinois to Arkansas
have involved many personal risks on
the part of newspaper correspond
ents.
A daring exploit was successfully
tried by a reporter who rode q log
on the crest Of the tide when the
levee broke at Hickman. 4. He made
his way to Tiptonville, Tenn, then
telephoned his story of the Aishtafrom
the Reelfoot country to Memphis.
The telephone has been drought
largely into play. Patrols sstaAoned
at menaced points have watched fol
crevasses night and day. The mo
ment that a break occurred, the pa
trolls hurried to telephone stations and
warned the countryside.
Cairo an Island City.
Cairo, Ill.-Cairo is an island city
surrounded by an ocean of water, the
crest of which is 10 feet higher thar
the average level of the city. In many
places, this wall of water stands 2(
feet higher than the streets.
With bright sun after the severe
rain and wind storm Saturday night
hope returned to the fighting levee
protectors. For the first time in 9
week, the workers got a much-neede6
rest, although the watchfulness along
the levee was not relaxed and the
men were ready at all times to an
swer calls to points of trouble Two
thousands leyee workers were scat
tered about the great levee section
at shutdown to renew their patrol
Generous donations from all parts
of Kentucky are being sent to Hick
man to aid the $500 food refugeel
who have struggled into that city.
A large number of steamboats, are
lying between this city and flooded
towns below in search Of stock which
Is being landed on the hills neal
Wickliffe, KY. Express companies arr
carrying supplies to refugees free o.
charge.
Wheat Under Water.
Several thousand acres Of whea,
are under water in Mississippi coun
ty, Mo. Many thousand dollars wortl
of stock have persisted and farmer,
are living in their attics.
For five days, Cairo has been al
Island CITY. Wnen Lne leVeeS pro
tecting the drainage district went on
Thursday and rail communication wa
stopped, and the only entrance to tn,
city now is by boat from Mounds
nine miles away
Mounds nominally is an inlanl
town, three miles from the Ohio river
but there is now water five feet deo]
at the Big Four depot.
Almost 100000 has been spent Il
the city and three railroad companie
In fighting the flood at Cairo and tn
drainage district. Five thousand mel
have been paid an average of $3.50 {
day for more than week.
Cairo is protected by three mai
lovees and several small ones.
Few Women In City.
There are few women and childrsl
left in Cairo. Most Of them were sen
from the city when it was predicte
early last week that the river woul
rise to Sc feet. The levee worker
and such refugees as are in Cairo ar
being fed by the commissary depart
ment. RatiOns are being served t