DISASTROUS FLOODS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9089, 25 June 1888, Page 6

DISASTROUS FLOODS.

OVERFLOW OF THE MISSISSIPPI.

ENORMOUS DAMAGE.

FARMERS RUINED AND HOMELESS. The water in the Mississippi (says a London paper of May 19) is higher than has ever been known since 1851, and the floods are doing enormous damage in the adjoining country. Ten days ago the water reached the danger point, and it has been rising steadily ever sinee at a rate of from 4 inches to 14 inches daily. It is now 7 inches higher than during the great floods of 1881. Above and below the town of Quincy, in Illinois, telegraphs the Daily News' correspondent, there are over 100 miles of levees for the protection of fully 200,000 acres of land, the most productive farming land in the valley. On Sunday morning the first break occurred in one of these great embankments known as the Indian Grove Levee. Within a few hours thousands of acres of winter wheat that promised a yield of from 40 to CO bushels to the acre were laid waste. The far mors had been working on the embankment night and day in the hope of saving their homes, and when the flood came the majority of them had barely time to save their families. The great river, a broad body of water 20 feet deep, poured through the gap with a roar that could be heard long distance off. Thrifty homes were deserted at a moment's notice, horsemen having been sent out to give warning. In many cases the people were obliged to leave everything and fly to the bluffs, or seek safety in boats. On Monday evening the Carte Levee, commencing just below Quincy and extending south a distance of fifty-four miles, gave way between Hannibal and St. Louis. The scenes enacted the previous day were repeated and intensified. The thrifty city of Quincy is completely flooded. On Thursday a gap was made at East Hannibal, followed soon after by another break a mile south, and that night the destruction was complete. Not an acre of ground in this vast territory can escape the flood, and the loss to the farming interests is simply incalculable. Cattle and horses in the line wooded pastures were overwhelmed in many localities and drowned. The river above and below Quincy is from 10 to 15 miles broad, covering all the farms on both sides, and extending from the bluffs on the Illinois side to the high bluffs in Missouri. The scene of desolation between Quincy and Hannibal is simply pitiable. What was a few days ago a fertile valley, teeming with abundant crops is now a vast expanse of water deserted by every living thing. The water is pouring over the top of the levee, besides rushing through the breaks, from 300 to 400 yards wide, with irresistible force. On the dry places on the embankment are hundreds of cattle, horses, and pigs, without food, and no prospect of drink except when in danger of being swallowed up by the floods. Far across on the opposite bluffs are gathered hundreds of men, women, and children in small groups. Desolate, forlorn, and despairing, they look upon the ruin wrought, upon the farms laid waste, property destroyed, homes almost completely under water, furniture floating away, and tho stock drowning. Many are utterly destitute, having neither sufficient clothing, nor shelter, and some are suffering from want of food. Charity, however, is already pouring in every necessary of life. The railroads running into Quincy are seriously embarrassed, and the losses to the railroad interests will be heavy. Communication to the West from the city is entirely cut off by every line. Being under water in many localities, ties and rails for a distance of many miles have been washed from the permanent way by the flood, and piled along the embankments and in the woods. Bridges and' culverts have been carried away. The factories and warehouses along the river are seriously embarrassed, and the large buildings are being gradually undermined by the rushing waters. Unless the flood subsides soon, the loss will be great. A mass meeting has been held to devise means for the immediate relief of the destitute sufferers from the flood. For. the past two or three days these helpless people have been arriving at Quincy. in .boats, a single rowboat often containing an entire family, with suoh household effects as could be quickly .gathered. together. For ton days it rained steadily to add. to the general suffering. ".At. the meeting money was freely subscribed to provide' provisions and clothing. Relief committees were also appointed to solicit aid from the general public. -