Omaha daily bee., 1912-04-10
BIG Dixie BREAKS
AT GOLDEN LAKE
Crevasse on Arkansas Side Fifty
Miles North of Memphis Inun-
dates Large Section.
RIVER Is FALLING AT CAIRO
Three Persons Reported Drowned
at Charleston, No.
LOWER LEvEES HOLD FIRM
Mississippi Rising Rapidly at Points
South Of Memphis.
RELIEF PROBLEM IS SERIOUS
Thousands of Refugees at Hickmnn,
Tiptonviiie, Forest city and
Helena short OF Food--Many
Marooned mt Ridgeiey.
LOWER LEvEEs HOLD FIRM
Mississippi Rising Rapidly at Points
South Of Memphis.
RELIEF PROBLEM IS SERIOUS

MEMPHIS. Tenn. Apr;i s.-Advices re-
ceived at Memphis this afternoon state
that the main levee has broken a mile
and half north Of Golden Lake. Ark.
about fifty miles north Of Memphis. The
water is spreading over a wide area in
that section.
Dikes guarding thousands OF fertile
acres Of Arkansas and Mississippi against
the flood tide OF the Mississippi river be-
low Memphis held firmly today. But
where the tremendous force OF the river
was hurled against tho embankments at
the bends in tho river. breaches seemed
imminent In the long stretches Of Yazoo
and delta territory thousands Of men
labored all night to strengthen the ievees
against the oncoming flood. In villages
and on farms In the threatened territory
In north Mississippi and north Arkansas
the people are ready for instant flight.
North OF Memphis the river Is falling.
At Memphis the a. m. reading OF tho
gauge showed stage OF t2s. fall OF
4 In twelve hours. South OF Memphis the
river Is rising rapidly.
The task Of caring for the flood VIC
tins Is proving q serious problem. The
greater number OF those driven from
their homes so far have sought refuge
at Hickman, KY, Tiptonville. Tenn, For
est City and Helena. Ark. and in this
city, In Memphis the Tri-state fair
grounds have been converted into tented
city and the associated Charities Is d.
rectlng relief activities
AZ Hickman approximately 2.5co persons
are being cared for. Captain Logan Of
the United States army has charge OF the
situation at that point and an agent OF
the Red Cross society Is assisting him
The Red Cross society has contributed
500 20 assist In the care of those at
Hickman.
Captain Resan. Of the Tennessee Ma
tional guard, has taken charge OF the
situation at Upton. Local organizations
are caring for those at Forest City at the
edge OF tho flood In ST. Francis and Crit
tsndsn oounties In Arkanxas.
The crsw ef the United States steam
ship Amphitrite. anchored In the Mem
phis harbor. has received Instructions TO
assist In rescuing flood victims. One OF
the Amphitrite's boats went to wyanoke
today TO bring party reported marooned
aboard n raft at wyanoke. Ark. to this
city.
Thousand Marooned at Ridseley.
over a thousand persons. nearly half Of
them refugees from the flood. are at
Ridgey. Tenn. nine miles below Upton
vile, In Lake county. today without meat
The one-story houses there are no longer
habitable. and the two-story houses are
crowded. The remainder OF the community
is out on hillside without shelter. The
stock is without provender. The high
water resulting from the break below
Hickman did not reach the vicinity OF
Ridgely until yesterday afternoon. Then
IT rose rapidly.
Provisions will have to be loaded on
skiffs and launches to reach nidgely. A
current running seven Or eight miles
an hour must be encountered and the
task OF relieving the town will oe peril
GUS. Two stea aiboats nave reached Tip
tonville with provisions. Ar Bass Landing
fifty-three sufferers without shoes were
plCkeu up. n Mfs. baker ana Two cnll-
dren on a raft Of two logs. their place
OF refuge for three days. were rescued
near Cherokee. Tenn.
Whooping cough has broken ou. among
the children OF the refugees at Tiptonville.
Two negro children have died OF It and
several white children in the courthouse
are in a critical condition.
Louis Van Pool, aged II, was drowned
near Tiptonyille when his boat eapsized.
Naval Militia to Aid.
ST. LOUIS. April Son orders from
Governor Hadley, all st. Louis members
Of the Missouri naval reserves were di-
rected tsday to report for duty in the
flooded district near caruthersville, Mo.
The reserves viii depart tonight or tomor-
row. 9
Twenty-Five per cent of the employees OF
the Frisco railroad system, including