The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-04
RAIN CAUSES RISE
Of WATER AROUND
THE CAIRO LEVEES
River Only a Few Inches
From Top of Con-
crete Wall
NEWLY PLANTED
CROPS ABANDONED
Two Hundred Families Reported
Homeless in Breaux Bridge, La.
Many Acres Inundated
In Euclaire

Cairo, ILL.,, April 3.-Raln 1alHng IN
STEADY downpour and flood water wash
ing against the sacks of sand, piled on
the concrete levee wall, changed condi-
tions materially here tonight. Although
the weather change naturally would car
ry with it a negative outlook for the well
fare of the city, a confidence seems to
have sprung up among the citizens who
have worked hardest to prevent Cairo's
destruction that appeared to offset it,
Day after day the residents have
watched the flood water climb on the
gauge until tonight it stood slightly above
546. The old record was 54.5. There is
only a few inches of space between the
surface of the water and the top of the
concrete wall. Their newly planted crops
have been abandoned.
The strongest current since the advent
of the food was noticeable today. There
was a considerable wind that made the
waters rough and the strain greater
against the levee and bulkhead work.
great stretch of Missouri land is
under water The Missouri soldiers who
were rescued and brought to Cairo re-
ceived orders to proceed to Caruthers-
VILE, Mo-, where levee destruction is
threatened.
Cairo citizens, although having expert
yenced nights of little sleep within the last
10 days, show a spirit of willingness TO
forget for the time being their own per-
sonal comfort and danger TO their city
end assist their troubled neighbors. Food,
tents lanterns and other supplies were
taken from here today to Mound City,
I'LL. Relief is waiting for Brookport, Ill;
Caseyville, KY, and Shawneetown, Ill.
Thirty-Six Marooned
Thirty-six men of the Missouri National
Guard who were marooned on section
of the levee at Bird Point, Mo, last
night were taken off early today by the
tender of the Illinois naval reserve. The
tender was unable to stem the swift
lcurrent of the Ohio river and was being
carried into a dangerous position when
Colonel Morarity, in command of the
Illinois National Guard here. went out
with the tugboat Thesis, which towed
the tender and the Missouri guardsmen
safely to shore.
perceptible rise came this afternoon,
fthe water creeping up to SAG feet. The
climb began about the same time as that
Aof yesterday and it is predicted the water
may go to So feet by tomorrow. The
feared the first break might come, is
holding strong.
Ensign Melville, in charge of the dis
lpatch boat service between Cairo and
Mound City, ILL.,, reported tonight that
the levee was still holding at the lat
ter place, but that the Ohio waters
had backed into Cache river to an
alarming height and that the levee
back of the town appeared quite weak.
Most of the 500 persons there are now
encamped in the courthouse including
two companies of guardsmen.
Lieut.. S. B. Buckner, United States
army, has ordered constructed so fiat
boats to be placed throughout low sec
tions of the city in case of emergency.
A planning mill reported that it would
have that number completed tomorrow.
The commissary department of the city,
looking out for food for laborers and
needy families, reported tonight that there
were supplies on hand for 10 days.
The rain tonight made conditions de-
lcidedly uncomfortable for the soldiers,
who were compelled to prepare their
l"supper mess on a barge.
! Work along the levee front tonight
was impossible because of the down
pour, though there was a large supply
of sacks waiting to be placed.