Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-02-25


of our parish has been inundated BY the
food waters from the Limerick crevasse
until now possibly IS per cent Of the al
luvial lands of the parish are covered.
The greatest lost that will be sustained
by our planters is the destruction OF their
oats, if indeed the oats are really lost.
There is difference of opinion 81 to the
effect the water will have on the young
crop of oats, and many think that they
will survive the overflow since the crop is
90 young and the water 30 cold. We have
many thousand acres of oats in Tensas
parish and if the crop is destroyed the
lose will be heavy. The next greatest
misfortune suffered by our people is the
loes of live stock, some OF which were
drowned while the bulk had to be sent to
Mississippi at great expense.
The reports of distress among the
colored population incident to the flood
have been greatly exaggerated, though it
is to be admitted that there may have
been some suffering, particularly by those
living in the path of the break and who
rushed out and congregated on the levees
for the first few days, and who will be-
come dependent on charity if the flood is
prolonged. Every effort has been made
to secure government assistance in antici-
patton OF this, but as yet without avail.
Reports from the water are all en-
couraging, not withstanding the fact that
the fall at Vicksburg is not as great as
had been hoped for, the gauge there being
kept mp by floods out of the Yazoo River.
In all fall in the river along our front
of more than fifteen inches has been re-
corded since occurrence of crevasee, and
which has been reflected on all over
flowed lands. Newellton has had fall
of nearly three inches with corresponding
result in outlying country. At st. Joseph
the water reached stand this week
which was followed by fall of probably
an inch. At this writing the water con-
tinues to cover the plank road for some
distance up into the residence section
and in the lower part oftown has covered
the streets in the neighborhood of the
Union Church, to perhaps the depth at
tanned in 1912, but has not reached that
depth on South side of Court House where
the stage is fully four inches below the
1912 mark.
Reports to the South OF US are all very
encouraging. The back water has not
yet reached Waterproof, Ferriday or Vi
dalia and it is believed that each of these
towns will escape. 1t is probable that
the bitches of Waterproof may be filled
and the depot reached, if indeed the road
leading to town is not already partially
covered, but it is hardly expected that
water will enter the town.
The levees are all holding good in the
parish, but are being carefully watched.
A slide occurred at Kempe last week, but
fortunately was low down and conse-
quently of not a very alarming nature.
However, force Of convicts is located
there and the damage was soon repaired.
Another bad place developed at Harper's
ramp, but with the convict force con-
veniently at hand the weakened spot was
soon strengthened.
We have much to be thankful for in
the weather conditions that have pre-
vailed in the past several weeks and with
continuance of good weather, we are very
hopeful of passing the food waters down
without further break.
The darkest hour is just before dawn,
and many of our people feel discouraged
at the present outlook, but we do not
share in the prevailing gloom and feel
optimistic as to the future. The over
flow waters will leave a rich deposit on
the lands covered, which will give in
creased fertility to the soil and the result
Will probably be greater and more abun-
dant crops next fall. We urge our peo-
pie to take cheerful view of the situa-
ton and hope for the best and all will
yet be well. Some Of the best crops Ten
sas ever made followed high waters, and
blessed with a country of wonderful re-
sources and citizenship that never dis
pairs, we expect to see our parish again
come triumphant out of tribulstion and
blossom as the roses