The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-12-11
FLOOD EXACTS
HEAVY DAMAGE
Toll Of Death Runs Up to
n EIeyen-Thpusands Rem
dered Homeless.

Sutfng from the heavy rains OF Sum-
dav and Monday generally were re-
ceding throughout Mississippi, Ala
bama and Georgia today, but anxiety
was felt as to the fate of hundreds
of persons caught by the high waters.
Fourteen known dead have been re-
ported to date, but this list probably
will be increased by later reports. 1t
is estimated property damage result
ing from the high waters will mount
to several million dollars.
The dead were listed as follows:
Atlanta-Three white persons.
Montgomery Ala.-Two white
farmers; three negroes.
Hattiesburg, Miss.--Three negroes.
jackson, Miss.--Two white persons.
Meridian, Miss.-One negro.
Most serious conditions reported
today existed in southern and CEN
trail Alabama. Hundreds of persons,
including 115 negro convicts and fif-
teen white guards, are marooned
along the Tallapoosa river, northeast
of Montgomery, Wetumpka, Pratt
Vile and other towns swept by food
waters. from the Chattahoochee river.
The Chattahoochee river, however,
reported improved conditions today.
In Mississippi more than 1000 per-
sons, mostly negroes, were driven
from their homes at Hattiesburg
when the Leaf river overhowed it's
banks last night, causing heavy
property damage in the city and sur
rounding country.
y At Meridian, Enterprise and Lau-
rel and Basic City, portions of the
towns were inundated, causing con-
siderable damage and suffering. Rail-
road traffic in the eastern part of the
state was almost completely suspend
ed. Conditions at Columbus and
West Point, the principal points in
Georgia affected by the floods of the
Chattahoochee, were improved today.
At both points the river exceeded it's
previous high mark made in 1886. Re-
ports from West Point stated that
supplies were reaching the east side
Of the town IN sufficient quantity,
but that conditions on the west side
of the river, cut off by the carrying
away of the big highway bridge, were
not so satisfactory. Efforts were be-
ing made to care for the residents
there by means of barges and boats.
The high waters were receding at
Columbus, but a score of industries
forced to close by the shutting off
of the hydro electric power, still were
idle today. 1t is estimated that more
than $4,000 persons were made idle
by the flood.
The northern section of the city
is entirely inundated and the water
Is threatening to enter the uptown
section.
Leaf River Rages.
Hattiesburg, Miss, Dec. 11.-Over
1000 people were driven from their
homes in this city last night when
the water from Leaf river, which be-
gan overf1owing its banks yester
day afternoon, inundated several
blocks in the lowlands of the city,
inhabited by the poorer class of
people.
f. The flood refugees were housed
during the night in the courthouse,
schoolhouses and other public build
ings. Relief parties in skiffs were
busy all night rescuing people from
their homes which were flooded.
Much suffering among the poorer
classes was experienced and this was
increased by the coolest weather that
has been experienced here this win
ter. A rescue skiff with nine negroes
in it overturned, three being drowned.
The water of the river came to a
stand early this morning and is ex-
pected to begin to recede during the
day.
Five Lives Lost.
Montgomery, Ala. Dec. 11.-Grave
fears were entertained here early to-
day for the safety of hundreds of
persons living along the rivers in
central and southern Alabama, as a
result of the unprecedented rise in all
streams. due to heavy rains since last
Saturday.
Five lives are known to have been
lost, two white farmers and three
negroes, and unless relief can soon
be gotten to marooned persons the
number may be greatly increased.
Owing to the rapidly rising waters.
swiftness Of currents and lack of
boats rescue work is slow and
hazardous.
One hundred and fifteen negro con-
victs and fifteen white guards are
marooned at convict camp No. a, ten
miles northeast of Montgomery, near
the Tallapoosa river. Grave fears are
entertained for their safety. w. ID.
Nesbit and c. B. Rogers, officials of
the state convict department, who
set out late yesterday afternoon in
small motor launch in an effort to
reach camp No. 4, spent the night in
an abandoned hut and returned to the
city this morning without having
reached the prisoners.