Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-09
FLOOD SWEEPS
INTO ARKANSAS
NEAR MEMPHIS
Three Counties Inundated by the
First Break in Big Levee-No
Lives Reported Lost.

/ MEMPHIS, TENN, April S.--The
first break in the main Mississippi
River levee occurred to-day on the
Arkansas side, just south Of Mem
phis. Three counties are being
flooded by water, which is pouring
through a big cut in the wall. No
loss Of life is reported. All the in
habitants of the flooded section had
been warned that the Ievee was weak
! ening and had fed TO the hills
Families Saved in Boats.
The women and children Of St.
Francis, Lee and Critsendon Counties,
, on the Arkansas side OF the river,
were being cared for in Memphis to-
day. The men had remained behind
to work on the Ievees. Several fami-
lies living on higher ground, who be
lieved they were safe. were rescued
by Government boats and brought 10
Memphis after the water surrounded
| their homes.
Reports to-day from Wilson. Ark,
said that sand boils were discovered
IN the levees there and were threaten
ing to break them. United States En-
/ gineer Markham rushed several crews
Of men to Wilson from Memphis
Water from Bayou Gayoso was
higher in North Memphis to-day than
! it was ever known to be. Thirty city
blocks were inundated and there was
mucn suffering among the negroes
and poorer whites, who have refused
TO leave their homes.
Expect Crest Tomorrow.
The river at o'clock this morning
stood at 45.G feet. three tenths OF a
foot higher than the highest stage in
1872. Weather Forecaster Emery to-
Gay said the crest OF the flood should
| reach Memphis tomorrow and that
by next Sunday the water should be-
gin falling.
The water that is washing through
the break below Memphis to-day viii
flow back into tho Mississippi above
Helena. Ark. and the break viii give
no relief here. The Beulah crevasse,
reported hopeless by engineers last
week. was closed to-day. Tic Yazoo
and Mississippi Valley Railroad en-
gineers did most Of the work there.
Telephone advices from Beulah to-
day said that another weak point in
the levee was discovered five miles
north of there
Five hundred women and children
were being cared for to-day al Camp
Hump in Memphis.
Seven Carloads Sent in Hour.
CHICAGO. April S.-One hour aft
er Henry P. Stewart. representative
Of the Chicago Association of Com
merce. wired that the provisions were
needed for flood sufferers near Cairo
and Mound City, H.. seven carloads
had been purchased and started for
the flood district.
The report stated that there were
SIS destitute persons in Shawnee
town, ILL.,, 500 at CsseyviIIe. and $50
at Roseclare. The supplies viii care
for 1900 persons for fifteen days.
Ohio River Stationary.
WASHINGTON. April S.-The Ohio
River at Cairo. H., this morning was
stationary at a stage Of 54.5 feet. the
same as yesterday morning. according
to a report Of the weather bureau to-
day. Lower Mississippi stages wcra.
Memphis 45.6 feet $40 'of a f'15
higher than the flood Or 1912: Vick--
burg, Miss. ~ feet. a rise Of $40 az
q foot in - hours. New Orleans. $50
feet a rise Of 2-1u.
The crest Of tho flood viii reach za
feet al Nickshurg, according TO rne
bureaus revised forecast TO-DAY.