Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1922-05-05
FLOOD NOTES.

Following the "Weecama" break,
in Concordia parish, on Wednesday,
26th April, the flood waters have
practically covered Coneordia parish
and have inundated section Of Ten
has parish. Thus far the water has not
attained the depth and covered the
territory in Tensas first expected. 1t
was feared last week that Water
proof would get perhaps couple feet
Of water, while to this date it has
appeared only in the bitches Of town
proper, but much of the low land be-
tween town and the railroad is under,
including a section occupied by col
ored operatives Of the saw mill. Much
of the agricultural lands in the
country behind Waterproof, which
were expected to 60 under, are yet
out, and these higher spots stand a
good chance to escape water If the
river does not take another rise. Much
depression has naturally followed the
advance of the waters but the darkest
hour is always just before dawn.
Bumper crops have been made after
waters, and while conditions now ex-
listing differ greatly with other times,
they may SO adjust themselves to the
situation that success may1yet be
snatched out Of the jaws Of defeat.
Concentration camps for relief OF
flood sufferers have been established
at Natchez and the refugees are being
made comfortable. All occupants we
are sure are from other parishes,
Tensas being unrepresented, as the
flood disaster in this parish scarcely
approaches the point where outside
aid is desired.
Vidalia is still high and dry and
will probably escape overflow. The
back levee is holding the flood water
from the "Weecama" break in check
and much surprise is felt that the
water has not reached greater depth
against this levee, perhaps "a feet
of the levee yet being out. Ferriday
with Clayton is the only modern
Venice in this section but even here
the water has not gotten as deep as
was expected. It did not catch the
people mapping" however, as they
were ready, had their lamps trimmed
and burning, and all stocks and house
hold effects had been raised beyond
possible danger. The plantation "Wee-
CANA" on which the break occurred,
is the heaviest sufferer in the over
flowed district. The residence, barn
and many quarter houses were swept
off their foundations, perhaps fifty
mules and other live stock were
drowned. Much sympathy is felt for
Mr.. Alonzo Gresem, well known here,
who had charge Of that property for
the owner, Mr.. "Doc" Brown, in the
loss Of practically everything he pos
sessed. Fortunately he had sent his
wife and baby to Mississippi before
the levee broke. When the crevasse
occurred, his house, located almost i'm
mediately in front Of the break, be-
came q prey to the terrific current,
and was swept from it's foundation
and capsized, his household effects,
including all wedding presents, being
lost. He managed to reach the levee
= with only the clothes on his back.
. We understand there was some
loss Of life at Clayton, where q col
ony Of negroes were assembled on .
raft and by some mishap all were
precipitated into the flood waters,
about eight feet deep, and some lives
were lost.
On the whole Tensas has been
fortunate in escaping greater dam
age from the greatest water ever
known to come down the Mississippi.
We have not had q break in our par
ish and the only water on US now has
come from q break in an adjoining
parish and from back water, but with
all this less land has been covered
than was anticipated. 1922 may yet
he n hammer crop wear.