The Detroit times., 1912-04-06
Many Lives Reported Lost But
People, Warned, Are Thought
To Have Fled in Safety
COTTON LAND SUBMERGED
Property Loss in Vicinity of
Hickman. XIV. Is Placed
at $l,OO0,OOO

engineers have practically given
up hope OF saving the levee and
the great st. Francis basin. They
threw up their hands today In
surrender when reports came In
from a dozen different points Of
threatened breaks, IL 10 now be-
lleved only queSti6n Of hours un-
ill the ievee let's 90 In some weak.
ened place and hundreds Of acres
In Tennessee and Mississippi will.
be inundated. The water is lap
ping the top In scores Of places
and In many Instances 10 pouring
over into the low country.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, April 6.-Ths
big government levee below Hick
man. KY, let go late yesterday, and
today the entire Reel Foot Lake dis
trict is flooded. The second break
fairly completed the work OF destruc
ton. started Wednesday Reports OF
heavy loss of life as a result of the
new flood have not been confirmed
The section is thickly populated,
however, and many may have been
caught by the rushing waters.
The waters were rapidly spreading
over the rich farming country today
and the entire area inundated will
be $50 square miles
The river registered 449 feet on
the gauge here today rise of seven
tenths OF a foot over yesterday The
leyees are still holding, but are sub
5eet-te u terrific strain.
The levee went out late yesterday
with roar that could be heard for
miles. For days. men had been en-
deavoring TO strengthen the weaken
ed point. but high wind driving the
water against the dixie tore away the
achievements and the waters rush
ed through, tearing a hole $50 yards
wide. Over 100 men were marooned
in the lower end OF the levee when 1t
let go, but were rescued In boats.
The residents of the Reel Foot dis
trict have had several days warning
to Gee aud II 10 believed most OF them
had left for higher ground before the
waters reached their homes. For
miles and miles about Hickman all
one can see Is water, with here and
there tops OF houses, barns and sheds
appearing above the waste.
Danger of an epidemic when the
waters recede is increasing as dead
livestock is now floating on the crest
of the food. Quicksand is forming in
many places about Hickman and New
Madrid, Mo-, and houses are rapidly
Weather bureau officials believe
that the break below Hickman should
relieve conditions somewhat at Cairo
and New Madrid, but the greatest
suffering prevails in the new flooded
district. Those who fed TO the hills
are now without shelter or clothing.
Food supplies can only be delivered
in boats and 1t is impossible for the
residents OF the small towns In the
district to meet the demands made
for them for aid.
At Charlottesville. Mo, the militia
has been called out to patrol the
levee. All business houses have been
closed and the entire male popula-
ton OF the town Is working on the
levee, plling up sandbags to resist
the rising waters. Refugees are ar
irving at Charlottesville from all
directions and are being cared for by
the city.
twenty-five nunuTeu uolldTs was re-
ceived at Hickman today from Louis.
Vile. A carload of clothing and bal
clothing has arrived and three loads
of provisions were brought as close
to the town as possible and then
by boat to the basement
OF the Carnegie library, which has
been turned into storage house for
food and clothing. Tents have been
erected on the library grounds to
house women and children.