As the boat rounded to,Mr.Ellis came out in a dug-out,and General York told him that he had come to his relief;that 'The Times-Democrat'boat was at his service,and would remove his family at once to the hills,and on Monday a flat would take out his stock,as,until that time,they would be busy.Notwithstanding the deplorable situation himself and family were in,Mr.Ellis did not want to leave.He said he thought he would wait until Monday,and take the risk of his house falling.
The children around the door looked perfectly contented,seeming to care little for the danger they were in.These are but two instances of the many.
After weeks of privation and suffering,people still cling to their houses and leave only when there is not room between the water and the ceiling to build a scaffold on which to stand.It seemed to be incomprehensible,yet the love for the old place was stronger than that for safety.
After leaving the Ellis place,the next spot touched at was the Oswald place.Here the flat was towed alongside the gin-house where there were fifteen head standing in water;and yet,as they stood on scaffolds,their heads were above the top of the entrance.It was found impossible to get them out without cutting away a portion of the front;and so axes were brought into requisition and a gap made.
After much labor the horses and mules were securely placed on the flat.
At each place we stop there are always three,four,or more dug-outs arriving,bringing information of stock in other places in need.
Notwithstanding the fact that a great many had driven a part of their stock to the hills some time ago,there yet remains a large quantity,which General York,who is working with indomitable energy,will get landed in the pine hills by Tuesday.
All along Black River the 'Susie'has been visited by scores of planters,whose tales are the repetition of those already heard of suffering and loss.An old planter,who has lived on the river since 1844,said there never was such a rise,and he was satisfied more than one quarter of the stock has been lost.
Luckily the people cared first for their work stock,and when they could find it horses and mules were housed in a place of safety.
The rise which still continues,and was two inches last night,compels them to get them out to the hills;hence it is that the work of General York is of such a great value.
From daylight to late at night he is going this way and that,cheering by his kindly words and directing with calm judgment what is to be done.One unpleasant story,of a certain merchant in New Orleans,is told all along the river.
It appears for some years past the planters have been dealing with this individual,and many of them had balances in his hands.
When the overflow came they wrote for coffee,for meal,and,in fact,for such little necessities as were required.
No response to these letters came,and others were written,and yet these old customers,with plantations under water,were refused even what was necessary to sustain life.It is needless to say he is not popular now on Back River.
The hills spoken of as the place of refuge for the people and stock on Black River are in Catahoula parish,twenty-four miles from Black River.
After filling the flat with cattle we took on board the family of T.S.Hooper,seven in number,who could not longer remain in their dwelling,and we are now taking them up Little River to the hills.
THE FLOOD STILL RISING
Troy:March 27,1882,noon.
The flood here is rising about three and a half inches every twenty-four hours,and rains have set in which will increase this.
General York feels now that our efforts ought to be directed towards saving life,as the increase of the water has jeopardized many houses.
We intend to go up the Tensas in a few minutes,and then we will return and go down Black River to take off families.
There is a lack of steam transportation here to meet the emergency.
The General has three boats chartered,with flats in tow,but the demand for these to tow out stock is greater than they can meet with promptness.All are working night and day,and the 'Susie'hardly stops for more than an hour anywhere.
The rise has placed Trinity in a dangerous plight,and momentarily it is expected that some of the houses will float off.
Troy is a little higher,yet all are in the water.
Reports have come in that a woman and child have been washed away below here,and two cabins floated off.
Their occupants are the same who refused to come off day before yesterday.One would not believe the utter passiveness of the people.
As yet no news has been received of the steamer 'Delia,'which is supposed to be the one sunk in yesterday's storm on Lake Catahoula.
She is due here now,but has not arrived.Even the mail here is most uncertain,and this I send by skiff to Natchez to get it to you.
It is impossible to get accurate data as to past crops,etc.,as those who know much about the matter have gone,and those who remain are not well versed in the production of this section.
General York desires me to say that the amount of rations formerly sent should be duplicated and sent at once.
It is impossible to make any estimate,for the people are fleeing to the hills,so rapid is the rise.The residents here are in a state of commotion that can only be appreciated when seen,and complete demoralization has set in,If rations are drawn for any particular section hereabouts,they would not be certain to be distributed,so everything should be sent to Troy as a center,and the General will have it properly disposed of.
He has sent for one hundred tents,and,if all go to the hills who are in motion now,two hundred will be required.
