Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-01

save NE anu properly.
The main levees on the Ohio river
at Cairo and Shawneetown, H., were
holding, with the exception Of a few
small breaks, but with the waters ris-
ing. the suitation appeared more ser
ious early today. At Cairo the river
passed the 59-foot mark. All per
sons were warned yesterday to leave
the lowland. and there is little prob
ability OF loss OF life should a break
NocCur but property damage would be
heavy.
Hundreds Of men worked ell night
placing sacks OF sand on the levees.
Great confusion occurred among ref
ugees. but troops prevented disorder.
A break occurred In the levee last
night at Columbus. KY, a town Of
1000, on the Mississippi river a few
miles below Cairo. with a spread over
the town one to FIVE feet deep and
a number OF persons marooned in the
upper stories Of dwellingH, but the
majority fed 10 the hills. At points
on, thegnpsaFs s01iOEr Er91sg the -steuxci08
is expected 20 improve today when
the crest OF the food passes.
PEOPLE LEAVING CAIRO.
cairo. ILL.,, April Flood waters
continued TO rise steadily throughout
the night and at o'clock today stood
between 532 and 53.3. The populac
tion Was early astir and the fact
that the water had substantially pass
ed the 52-foot mark caused consider
able anxiety. The crest OF the food
Is expected 20 roI ch here today, and
y the levees hold. 1t is the belief the
worst will be passed. Much trouble
was experienced during the night in
the drainage district along the Big
Four levee. Three times slides oc-
currd and only valiant work saved
the day. Water seeped under the con
crete wall and stood In the main street
= Of Cairo today, but the leyee has
shown no signs OF weakening. A big
force OF men worked all night placing
sandbaRs and other holdbacks along
the city front. II is expected the
mayor and sheriff will give Colonel
Moriarity, who is in charge OF the
state troops. complete control OF the
situation. In this way the idle may be
forced 10 work. Refugees continued
20 leave the city all night and crowds
are still waiting at the depots TO get
out.
WATER RISING RAPIDLY.
The water is rising much more rap
idly than yesterday and the demand
for workingmen Is most urgent. At
9 O'Clock the guage was 5S.5, and con
stautly creeping up. The surface OF
the Ohio stands one foot higher than
the highest street level. According
as workmen are able no longer 10
battle with the le~ee situation in the
Drainage district. they are brought
into Cairo and set TO work along the
river front. Most houses and places
:. OF business in the drainage territory
have been abandoned and IL is pre-,
dicted that the section Is doomed.
state troops we're sent out in squads
OF FIVE today. each squad accompanied
by a policeman. TO visit the rendez
,ous OF men who are unwilling or have
refused 70 work. Employees OF closed
concerns have responded nobly foI
duty and have reinforced 70 a great
. s,Ntent the work along the river front
About half the population has left the
city.
REQUEST FOR BOATS.
Springfield, Ill. April 1.-Governor
Dunno has requested the secretary OF
war TO allow the use OF three or -four
guar;erboats. now lying at Grayvllle
IN which TO house the 1900 state
troops at Cairo. II was pointed ou'
that the soldiers would be betteI
housed on quarterboats. than on water
soaked land. aud also would be closer
10 leyees and could render better as
sistance
SHAwNEETowN LEyEE HOLDS.
Mount Vernon. III. April l.-Th'
levee az ShawneetOwn was intact a
O'Clock this morning, and conditions
not threatening. according 10 news re
.eiyed here.
Evansville. Ind. April IA repor
from Shawneetowu. H. says the leyet