River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-04-11
FLOODS DROWN 20
100000 SUFFERING FROM EFFECT
OF WORST TORRENT KNOWN
TO PRESENT.
BIG Dixie IS SWEPT OUT
Thousands in Danger of Drowning
Through Inability to Escape From
Water Surrounded Homes-$1o,-
100000 In Property Is Destroyed.

st. Louis.-The worst flood in the
nations history is now sweeping the
Mississippi river valley. One hundred
Thousand persons are the victims.
With additional tragedies recorded
from the zone affected. the. death list
reached 20.
The government levee in the Reel
foot lake region, few miles south of
Hickman, KY, has given way. Long
gaps were torn in the barrier that pro-
tected several counties of northwest
Tennessee and the released waters
quickly spread themselves over thou
sands of acres of land to the depth
of many feet.
The water is rising everywhere ex-
cept at upper points on tributaries.
Thousands are actually in danger of
drowning through inability to escape
from homes surrounded by water. AT
two Missouri towns, residents are re-
ported clinging to tree tops and the
roofs of their homes, waiting to be
rescued.
The property loss is incalculable.
The levees at Cairo proper still hold,
although a report that the bank had
let go early sent a thrill of horror
throughout the nation. Fortunately,
the alarm proved groundless.
Flood warnings have been sent to
all points along the lower river, and
thousands of refugees are fleeing to
the highlands.
Various estimates ranging as high
as $10000,000 have been placed on
the property damage.
Memphis, Tenn.-Gasoline launches
were sent out from Charleston, Mo-,
ito Birds Mill and Wyatt to rescue
residents of the two villages, who are
reported clinging to house tops and in
trees.
In answer to an appeal from Ran
dolph, Tenn, a squad of militiamen
left Memphis with tents and supplies
for refugees.
William Lynn, wife and three chill
.dren were drowned between Birds
Point and Wyatt, Mo. Lynn was a
farmer and was overtaken with his
family by the rising water.
Couriers were sent out along the
levees to warn planters that breaks
in the entertainments were feared mo-
mentarily.
Only desperate fight can prevent
the rising flood from breaking through
the levee at Charlottesville, Mo.
Should a breach occur, the loss of
life and property would be great.
Charlottesville is full of refugees
from the lowlands of Tennessee,
where there is no levee protection.
Houses are being washed away and
all available steamers are searching
the lowlands for sufferers. Several
hundred have been brought in.
Cairo, Ill.-The backing of water
from the Tenth street drainage pump
here threw citizens into a panic and
the report spread that the levee which
holds the Ohio river out Of Cairo had
broken. The report proved untrue.
The rumor that the levee had broken
spread rapidly and caused residents
to go to the second story of their
homes and the buildings they were in.
Couriers went through the city reas-
surfing the citizens that no break had
occurred.
The river here again reached the
stage of $50 feet, and 1t is expected to
remain at this stage for several days.
The breaking of the government levee
at Hickman, KY, will relieve the strain
on the leve at Cairo and other points
north of Hickman.
The scene at the drainage district,
Immediately north of Cairo, is appal-
ling. Houses which were partly sub
merged by the breaking of the drain
age district levees were TORN from their
foundations
Hickman, Ky.-A picture of utter
| desolation is presented by this flooded
town A tented city shelters 5000
refugees, while waste of muddy wa
ter stretches out arour9 the city.
Thieves are active in est Hick-
man. County authorities may ask for
a company of militia to protect prop
erty.
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