The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-08
Golden Lake Levee Holds

Golden Lake Levee Holds
 Memphis, April 7.--Golden Lake levee .,on the Arkansas side of the Mississippi held strong at o'clock tonight against inc tremendous pressure of the flood tide that threatened to sweep through thousands of acres of fertile farm land. As the embankment continued to hold It's own against the rivers racing strength leaders in the fight against the torrents sweep breathed with re- lief But in the vast stretches or threatened territory down the river the battle to hold the levees was renewed with twofold vigor. If the levees held ebove Memphis multiplying strain was certain on the embankments below. A break at Golden Lake would mean the inunda ton of section as large as that flooded Saturday by the collapse Of the wall at the St Claire--700 square miles with, the probability that the water from the two erevasses would join. So far as reports showed early tonight, there has been no loss of life Tn Ar kansas. At Columbus and Hickman, Ky. at Tiptonville and Rigley. Tenn, at Osceola and Luxuria, Ark, at Mem phis and a number of other places on or neaI,sthe river, refugees continue to arrive tonight. In the flood district 3D. 900 or more persons, homeless, are be- ing cared for. driven forth by the flood
 Reports continue to reach Hickman Ky, that scores of persons, needless of the warnings of the levee's breach are marooned on housetops, in trees and on rude rafts in parts of Lake county, Tennessee.
 Special Train Forced Back
 
 cago. Memphis and Gulf railroad set out Saturday from Hickman, carrying 20 picked men and a dozen boats. The narty expected to be of service as rescuers The train, according to deh- nite report from Hickman today, could proceed no farther than five miles south of the town. Upon the return trlp 10 Hickman 1t was decided 10 go out a gain Sunday morning. For this pur- bose the boats many of them valuable craft of the motor type, was moored to a raft in the river at Hickman Early today 1t was found that this raft had been swept away during last night, taking with it most of the boats
 Because of the St. Claire loops break ing Saturday large area in critten- den. Poinsett and Cross counties In ca stern Arkansas are covered with wa fer The country affected is about 700 square miles, but includes in It's Aarea A considerable number of high points and ridges which are above the water. For this reason no fear is en- tertained by those best acquainted with inc section that there will be loss of life people living in the danger zone having been notified by telephone in sufficient time to gain higher ground.
 Three Breaks Occur
 Y Three breaks occurred south of Mem ,tis to,iav Tho first levee to col 1ansa was Twenty Mile Post l6 miles south of Helena, Ark. The flood breached the embankment early this morning. Late the afternoon the levee at Iaconia GD miles below Helena, went out and tonight the 1evee gave way at IIenruco, near I.aconia. The water is mourning rapidly over several hundred fauare miles of rich farming lands
 By tomorrow it is anticipated Laconla gtircle will be completely inundated Prob ablv water from the two crevasses will ioin flooding the entire southern half of Ihillins county. in which is Helena, and ai of Desha county. The overflow Will find it's way back into the Mississippi through White river.
 Had Ample Warning
 1nbabitants of the flooded territory had annie warning. No loss of life is antic- inated. Property loss, however, will oe heavy. but an accurate estimate of the damages obviously cannot be made at this time. Few crops have been planted anu as far as farming land is concerned. the ob,te,nent Of the flood will leave them rH.ber because of the foods deposits.
 Railroads entering Memphis from. ihe west. the St Louis, Iron Mountain anu sopthern. the St. Louis and San Fran cisco, the st. Louis Southwestern ma