Evening star., 1913-04-02
Rise of Waters Halted, But
Crest of the Wave Is
Yet to Come.
EVANSVILLE At CRISIS;
RELIEF CENTERS THERE
Levees at Hickman, KY, Cannot
Stand Much More Pressure From
Swollen River.

CAIRO, Ill. April Cairo had .
little respite from it's flood scare to-
day, due to the fact that the Ohio
waters were at a standstill from mid
night. The reading at that hour was
fifty-four. and IL anything the gauge
showed little less at z o'clock today.
The relief, however, will only be tenn
porary. it is said. as engineers gave as
the cause the passing of the crest in
the Wabash high water. The crest of
the Ohio river food waters is still to
come, and it is expected that before
tonight the gauge readings will again
be in the ascendancy
another cause for the Standstiil was
said to be due to the vast volume Of
water now flowing into the lowlands OF
the drainage district. 1t was reported
that the water is flowing over the Big
Four tracks in that section for q dis
tance of three-fourths of mile.
Traffic Is Paralyzed.
Traffic on the main line of the Illinois
Central railroad was paralyzed today be-
cause of a washout of the tracks be-
tween Cairo Junction and the Cache river
in the drainage district, which now is
rapidly filling with water.
The water went over the tracks DUR
ing the early morning. with the result
that the Seminole Limited, southbound
from st. Louis. and the Panama Limited,
from Chicago, were unable to proceed.
The stretch of submerged property is
said to be about four miles long. Sew
eral hundred feet of track has been
washed out.
Trainmaster Wallace said here that
hurried orders had been sent for sup
plies and men for rebuilding. and that
the damage to the road would be far
greater than it was last year.
Sand Supply Cut on.
There will be great delay in rerouting
trains, and 1t Is said the road can get
none of it's traffic into Cairo for several
days. This will prevent Cairo from get
ting further supplies Of sand over this
route.
There is a sand bar in the Mississippi
here where a supply can be obtained. ou,
the quality of it is said not to be so good
for use on the levees.
Roadmaster J, Clifford, who started In a.
skin to investigate conditions along the
submerged tracks, was thrown into the
water and had a narrow escape before De-
ing rescued by workmen in another boat.
The water continued to hover about the
541 mark during the morning-a feft
that gave considerable encouragement
The weather is fair and warm and the
proceeding with vim.
Crest Near Evansville.
The crest in the Ohio river was report
ed to be in the vicinity Of Evansville and
there may be a decided drop before the
high water arrives.
Nearly 100 negroes who had failed to 60
to police headquarters to ask for ex-
cuses for not reporting for work, were
brought to the headquarters Of Col. Mori-
arity and most of them were set to work.
Forecaster Lindley of the weather Of
flee here said that the situation appeared
more cheerful for the present, and that
the high-water stage had been relieved
considerably by small breaks In levees
down stream.
Many Homeless at Evansville.
EVANSVILLE. Ind, April 2.-Lower
Ohio river flood relief by federal and
state authorities was centered here to-
day The rivers stage was 47.15 feet.
within three-tenths Of the 1884 stage, and
the rate of rise indicated that the high
est previous flood mark would be passed
this afternoon.
Mayor HeiIman estimated that 400 fami-
lies of this city; in Oakdale, on the lower
east side, and along Pigeon creek haa
been driven from home. Conditions are
somewhat improved at Shawneetown.
where since the levee was cut yesterday
people are reSumlng emergency "ork ID
side the town.
Urgent telephone messages from the
river at Mount Vernon. Ind. picture the
desperate condition of Wabash flood vic
tins In the neighborhood Of Maunie ana
Grand Haven. ILL.,. scores 4 whom with
out food have been fighting for existence
against the water since Sunday. Heiv
will be sent them.
Hickman Levee in Peril.
HICKMAN. KY, April 2.-Levees az
Hickman held last night. but three
..blow outs in the West Hickman levee
warned engineers that it could not stand
much more strain. Inhabitants of the
Iowland back Of this levce. Including
about 2OOO working people, were ordered
today to get to higher ground.
Government engineers who have been
at work strengthening the Reelfoo'
levee today expressed the belfef that ths
dixie would stand the strain Of the flood
The Reelfoot levee protects large area
of the richest farming country in the
south
This morning water was backing into
the main street of Hickman.
Telephone messages from Columbus.
afternoon. state that 1.5OO people are
homeless and in need of food and shelter.
Special Flood Bulletin.
A special flood bulletin issued today by
the weather bureau says:
The Ohio river at Cincinnati has fallen
O.3 foot since Tuesday morning; at Louis
Vile il is practically stationary at -
feet. II feet above the flood stage.
The stage at Cairo Wednesday morning
was 54.1 feet, 81 feet above the fioou