Omaha daily bee., 1912-05-07
ToRRAs CREvASsE SPREADING
House Containing Fifty Persons
is Adrift.
RAILROAD Is WASHED OUT
Last Relief Train Left People Stand
ing Waist Deep in Water.
RAIN ADDS 10 DISCOMFORT
Parts OF Eishieen Parishes Are
Already Under Water. and River
Continues to spread over
Rich bottom Lands.

NEW OhiSEANCs may &-inouNhnus
OF anxious people in the flood menaeed
districts OF Louisiana were dishesrtened
today ny heavy rains that pelted at
levees already strained almost TO the
bursting point 10y the swollen Mississippi.
All night long armies OF workmen fought
to strengthen those dikes that held firm,
while other emhankments gave way be-
fore the flood that now covers portions
Of eighteen parishes.
Reports OF life loss were received at
several concentration camps today. Whila
these have not been specifically verified.
Il Is conceded that many persons perished
as the flood waters rushed on their
homes.
Loss of Life is Heavy.
NEW ROADS. La. May s-Flood refu-
gees reaching here early today declare
there has been loss Of life in that part
OF Louisiana inundated by the Mississippi
river. which rushed through the breach
In the levee at Torss
II Ia said that motor boats sent 10 take
numerous persons from floating house
tops arrived too late. How many persons
perished cannot be determined. Refugees
brought to the concentration camps are
hurried hIther and thither. sometimes
families are separated and persons have
been reported missing who simply have
been sent from one camp to another.
Nevertheless. largs numbers Of the
refugees claim they have seen entire
families swept from housetops. Leaders
of the rescue corps admit that several
times they have sent motor boats 10
points where families had taken refuge
on tho roof Of house. and that when
the boat arrived Its crew found only the
building. buffeted about by currents. and
half lts roof surface submerged
Appeals for help reached here last night
from Lettsworth. directly In the path Of
the Torss torrent. Halt hundred people
were reported to be In imminent danger
Of drowning. The houses In which they
had taken shelter had been disiodged from
its foundsiioh and was being tossed about
on the current
There are at least 1900 persons who re-
main 10 be rescued from tho undated
country west o. Lettsworth aud Batch
Ter. Some Of them arc drifting about on
hastily constructed rata.
Crcyasse is Spreading.
The crsvasse water 10 spreading at
rapid rate inundating sections OF Point
Coupee parish. which have never before
been reached by overflows. Town after
town is being swept by the muddy waters.
The last OF the special trains which
have been bringing refugees out Of the
country around Batcheier arrived here
last night When the two relief trains
were about ready to leave Bateheler.
word was received that there was grave
danger OF being cut off by a threatened
washout In the tracks several miles east
OF that place. When the first train ar
rived at the point Of trouble water was
flowing over the tracks for q distance OF
five miles. But the train passed over
safely.
When the second section arrived the
water was rushing over the track about
two feet deep. An attempt was made to
reach the other side OF the washout. but
about half way aersss the track gave
way and the caboose and three cars top
pied over. Occupants Of the derailed
| cars were thrown Into the water, but es-
capped injury. They were transferred to
other cars and brought on to New Roads.
When the first section of the relief
special sped through the water, which
was running over the tracks Just north
Of Morganza. scores OF people were seen
standing waist deep IN water near the
railroad signalling the train 10 stop. The
water was rising so rapidly that those
In charge Of the train decided II would
imperil the lives Of all those on board
TO delay the train. The train was not
stopped.
Railroad Track Washed Out.
BACHELOR. La, May s.-The last link
binding this town with the outside world
BY rail was severed late last night. when
the swift waters from the Torras crew.