The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-04-10
FLOODS ALONG THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
BIG BREAK IN LEVEE NEAR WILL
SON. ARK.-DYkES ALONG THE
RIVER WEAKENING.

Memphis, Tenn, April 9.-After a
day of torrential rains and a stih
wind, one levee gave way before the
flood waters of the Mississippi early
tonight and at half a dozen other
points a desperate fight is beinS
waged to hold the turbulent water
within bounds, with the odds against
the flood fighters. Admittedly the
levees are weakening, the water, al
ready at an unprecedented height, is
pounding against the dikes with in
creasing force and whether the en-
bankments can longer withstand the
pressure is problematical.
The levee near Wilson, Ark, went
out late this evening, said to be due
TO the desertion of about 13O negro
laborers this morning. With roar
that could be heard for a mile or
more, about 10O feet of the earthen
revetment collapsed into the stream,
and it was by narrow margin that
the workers along the levee who kept
up the fight to the last minute
reached a place of safety. The gap
widened rapidly and as the water
came through with a mighty current,
frail negro cabins were tossed about
as so many playthings, trees were
swept down and carried away, bat
so far as can be learned all the in
habitants in the immediate proximity
Of the break reached places of safety
At a late hour tonight the gap was
about 400 feet in width and widening
rapidly.
other Points in Danger. %
Other points considered, in the
greatest danger tonight are Mound
City and Osceola Ark, At both points
the crest of the levee is a foot OF
more above the water, but the river
is being beaten into high waves and
sweeping over the rain soaked em-
banhments.
Unprecedented rainfall was report
ed from throughout the central Mis-
sissippi Valley and along streams
tributary to the Mississippi river Al
Little Rock, Ark, the precipitation
for eighteen hours ended at 3 p. IN.
today was 9.5G inches. The Arkan~
sas river is at flood stage and Four
che Bayou, a sluggish creek south
of Little Rock is raging torrent. The
homes of score OF negroes are
under water.
The main pipe line which con-
yeys natural gas from the Caddo,
La, field to Little Rock has burst
and a majority of the Little Rock
homes are without light or fuel.
No trains have been run out Of
Little Rock since morning, and it was
stated tonight it may be several
days before service is resumed.
At Hot Springs and other towns
the damage was confined to the
flooding of cellars and the washing
out of country roads.
The gas supply of Memphis was
cut off today when the leyee about
the gas plant in the flooded section
of a northern suburb collapsed. 9th.
er than this the situation in this city
is practically unchanged.
Train Service Paralyzed.
With the exception of the st. Loui!
and San Francisco lines, all th'
railroad operation west of Memphi;
went out of commission today be
cause of washouts in the roadbed
Trains of the Iron Mountain linz
we're detoured over the st. Louis anC
San Francis tracks tonight, ani
other roads will probably make sim
liar arrangements.
Several hundred refugees wer'
brough, TO the Memphis refuge CAM
where about 1920 people are nov
being cared for.
The water coming through the Will
son break will join the overflow
caused by the Graves Bayou crev-
asse and flow back into the Mis-
sissippi through the st. Francis JUS
north of Helena, Ark.
r. F. Lee Wilson. owner of tht
lumber mill at the town named fol
him, narrowly escaped being swep
away when the levee broke. He was
in personal command of crew o
Icvee workers and was caught below
the Dreak He confiscated a horse
from a nearby pasture and rode
around the water, reaching the towr
almost as soon as the workers driv-