The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-04-22
MISSISSIPPI
VALLEY FLOOD
WORST KNOW N
Further Widespread Death,
DesolatiOn and Destruc.
ton Reported Hourly
MORE LEVEES GIVE WAY
Bitter Weather Adds To Suf-
fering of Refugees-Epi-
denies Break Out

Memphis. Tenn, April 22.-tF-
The greatest disaster to the lower
Mississippi valley in more than 100
years was growing more grave today
with almost hourly reports Of fur
ther widespread death, desolation
and destruction caused by the furi-
GUS tide of the Mississippi and its
tributaries.
The number of known dead has
been placed at %, and belief was
that the toll will grow much greater.
Property damage was estimated high
into the millions, and more than
hundred thousand were homeless and
suffering for want of food, clothing
and shelter.
The most serious conditions con.
tinued to center around practically
the entire state Of Arkansas, par.
ticularly the st. Francis valley and
the Mississippi delta.
Hickman, KY, where thousands OF
refugees were being cared for as the
result Of breaks in levecs above them
and across the river at New Madrid,
NO., today was barely able to hold
the coursing current in Its bed.
Hickman lies at bend in the river,
and the dixie there is called upon
to withstand the dcluge and turn it
westward
Workers Battle to Hold Levee
A break at Hickman would mean
disaster for the Reelfoot section of
Tennessee. Hundreds Of workmen
were battling to hold the levee.
The Mississippi delta section strug-
gled against long odds as waters
spread over 5000 square miles. Thou
sands have been forced to flee from
their homes; many are marooned,
hungry. cold and destitute.
Mississippi's, governor has re-
questcd federal troops to aid in res
cue and relief work.
Suffering among the refugees was
Increasing with bitter weather add
ing to the horror Of mud and dis
ease. Epidemics Of mumps, measles
and whooping cough were spreading
with little medical aid available.
Greenville, Miss, threatened by a
break in Stops Landing several miles
above it, was apparently fighting a
losing battle against the torrent
sweeping down through eight coun.
ties. Workmcn have been ordered
off the city lcvee and engineers de-
clared the city would be flooded to
q depth of several feet, at least,
some, time today. An urban. popula-
tion Of more than 10000 was directly
in the path of the weakening levce.
1000 People Marooned
Texarkana reported that the Qua
chita river, on its record rise of the
year, had inundated 800 square miles
Of Texas and Arkansas soil. Pine
Bluff reported that more than 1000
persons were marooned in Jefferson
county alone from waters flowing
nh s~N M 81
Fort Smith, cut off from the use
of wire communication to the east
last night, was believed to be suffer-
ing from an increasingly dangerous
situation. Scores Of smaller towns
and cities in that section Of the state
also were cut off, and from which
many reports Of suffering were
heard.
In the St. Francis basin spurred
by the waters from the New Madrid,
NO.. gap In the levcc, residents Hed
in the face Of the inevitable delugc
which is slowly creeping s0uthward.
There is no outlet for this flood un-
til the water has covered an area
more than = hundred miles long and
many miles wide.
Across the Mississippi. where the
Arkansas tributaries are piling
great heaps Of water onto the lcyccs
in the Mississippi delta, there arc
probably 100000 people.
IN Reported Drowned
Unconfirmsd reports from Knowl-
ton, Ark, said Is refugees drowned
there when q boat was drawn
through the crcvasse rent in the
levee.
Pcttyvillc, Ark, was lite rally
wiped off the map when the flood
tore buildings from their founda.
tions and swept them away. At Little
Rock. hundreds Of families were in
danger