Year: 1874

TIC 0ft3J U6v3SSSblOo In INC OV1Sus


A special correspondent of the Chi
cago Times writes to that paper as fol-
lows-under date of Memphis, May 5 :


There is now not the slightest doubt
as to the great destitution among the
inhabitants of the flooded country
along the St. Frances, White, Arkansas
and Mississippi Rivers, as we'll as along
the Ouachita, Yazoo, Tallahatchie,
Yallabusha, Sunfower and Red Rivers.
1t was hoped that the water had
reached its greatest height, and that
with few days Of fair weather de-
cline in the vast lake of the Mississippi
would set in, but these hopes have been
dispelled. I am told that Clarendon,
Augusta, Desarc and Jacksonport, as
well as the other smaller towns on
White River, have been completely in
undated by the last food, and that it
came upon the citizens 50 suddenly and
unexpectedly that many had no time to
get their stock to place Of safety and
lost that, as we'll as everything else that
would float. Barns, fences and
outhouses were carried away by the an
cry food, and in one instance in entire
dwelling was taken from it's foundation
and lodged against tree fifty yards or
more from where it started. Strange
to say, none of its occupants were in
jured. Three or four small places
above here, including Ashport, Osceola
and Fulton, have at last succumbed to
the water, and in all the streets now
nothing can be seen but skiffs and Ca
noes. On one plantation below Fulton
there are half a dozen negro dwellings To-
Gated in a low place, and in each Of these
is one or more families cooped up in the
second story, the water being nearly to the
ceiling of the first, and there they re-
main with scanty supply of food and
no possible chance to get more unless
the water subsidies, as the current is too
strong for skiff or raft to reach them.
Their case is no worse, though, than
hundreds of others below here, who
have been driven in some cases to the
tops of their houses, where they re-
NAMED for days without food or shelter
and exposed to the cold and rainy
weather. Refugees from below eontin-
ne to arrive here daily by boat, and all
give the most pitiable accounts of their
sufferings. One, a lady, came up yes.
terday from point seventy miles below
on the Mississippi side. and tells a sad
story Of the sufferings OF her own family.
The high water broke through the levee
in front of their place. The unexpected
food forced her family at once into the
second story OF the dwelling, and al
lowed not moments time to lay in
provisions or remove the stock Two
days ago a passing steamer was hailed
from the housetop, and, rounding to,
approached as near to the half floating
dwelling as the timber would permit.
The husband then first took his child
in his arms, and half:swimming and
halfwading for over a hundred yards
made his way to little hillock, told
his story to the Captain, and he sent
out yawl, which brought the child
and its mother to this city to buy food,
the father remaining with his three 9TH
er children. To add to her misery her
small amount of money was stolen on
the boat; but she will be we'll provided
for. When she started up the water
was so high in her house that the chill
dren were sleeping on shelves, and the
cooking stove was raised upon the din.
ing table.


There are no supplies in that section
and even if there were the people in
most cases have no means Of reaching
them. The strong current of the rush.
ing water, with the timber and heavy
drift, render it hazardous, if not impos.
sible, to propel crafts, and all the poo,
souls can do is to remain in thei,
houses. Owing to the isolation of the
country there, as we'll as along the
different streams named, the true con
dition of the inhabitants is not known tc
the public, and their suffering will not
be known until this great deluge sub
sides. Then we fear it will be founc
that many have starved to death in thei1
houses. Many homes in the bottoms
far from railroads or the river, have beer
deserted, and hundreds are thus left
without food, clothing or shelter. Ir
many instances entire settlements have
been cut off from all communication witt
the upland country by the rapid rise o.
the water, and are compelled to remain
in ch,,rohos and halfs11 hmoro.oa L