Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-11-01
STORM FLOODS CITY STREETS;
 DAMAGE HEAVY Business Houses on Main Be- tween Third and Fourth
 Flooded by Rain. WATER SPREADS OVER
 SEVERAL SECTIONS Blocks from Walnut Olive Paving Are Washed About Over the City Rainfall Heaviest in Sev-
 eral Years.

Damages running into the thou sands was done to Pine Bluff proper l ty last night, when an unprecedented rainfall flooded the city, backing up 1 to a depth of three feet between Third and Fourth on Main, and run ming the ravine in the old lake bed out of it's banks.
 After a day of intermittent driz- zles, the rainstorm burst about 9 o'clock and continued steadily for more than an hour. When it had finished street cars were tied up for several blocks along Main street, water was coursing over the low sec | tions on the cross streets between Third and Fourth, an immense crowd from the tabernacle was floun- dering in flood that overran Main street and merchants between Third and Fourth on Main were working frantically to protect their property. No estimate of the damage could be obtained last night It is be- lieved, however, that it will amount to several thousand dollars. Every store between Third and Fourth on Main was affected. Gurdin's, Froug's show store, Elkins, Schober- Martin and dozen others were fronting on g veritable river. Scores of boys, who received handsome sums for their labor, were busily engaged in lifting dry goods in these establish ments to shelves, and protecting them from the waters that came through the doors. Others, worked with a will to pull stalled autos out of the l flood and hundreds lined the side walks, advising. sometimes wisely, more often unwiselv, while the work CTS flundered about
 Blocks Clog Sewers.
 Blocks from the Walnut-Olva paving district flooded the entire flown. Usually when there is a heavy rain these wood blocks are washed up into the side streets. Last night they were all over town by 10:a0. Piled high on the Union station platform. they also were to he found on Barraque street, on West Second avenue and as far out on Main as the tabernacle
 Boards are said to have blocked storm sewer entrances.
 So heavy was the rainfall at the tabernorle. that Bob Jones. the evangelist. who was addressinp a large crowd. could scarcely he heard When his conpreoation turned outN in- +o Main street thev faced veritab!e flood. The services. however, were ca"ried out to conclusion.
 Business men rushed from their homes to the city as soon as thev heard Of the size of the flood and nracti"ally all downtown stores wer. lighted and occupied bv 1O:3O. owners and emr1oyes taking precautions ag'ins+ damage.
 On West Barraoue. and on West Second where service was hoing held at the Temrle the water also was high. It was running hiph over the low lots on Cherry and in the dis trict west. as we'll as in the east end where the bayou emrties into the river. Scores of Halloween merri makers were caupht in the downnou, and scurried, drenched, to thei, homes.
 Setback to Cotton.
 The rain undoubtedlv will be 2 big setback to cotton. already suffer. lnP from an excess moisture. It was not known last night how general 1T character the downfall was.
 Walnut. between Second anf Fourth. was completely inundated and water stood ir Second from the the intersection with Walnut to Olive The Turner Tire companv's corner was flooded. and the garage adioin ino. Before the telenhone nxchanoe Ford was in water above the avlns and street cars on Second we've he1d up at Olive until the wa+er subsided
 The rain was preceded bv 9 heal wave. the thermometer re~isterine 76 at o'clock lost night Yesterday was su'trv and close.
 F w. Freeman saved more thar 1000 worth of newsprint paper ir (Continued on page six.)