Overflow notes– more news from devastating rain, flood

By Published On: November 16, 2018

March 24, 1955 – “Four big flood-control dams in North Mississippi were credited with preventing major damage in the Mississippi Delta for holding back rainfall in the hills” was the report  in Wednesday’s Commercial Appeal.

That being true somebody ought to be willing to at least help raise our roads and bridges above the flood stage of these waters, don’t you think?

Ed Quillen is near these days, yet he’s far away. Living right across the channel within sight of Bruce, yet by automobile he’s 50-odd miles away.

We can always find things to be thankful for. There was no wind to speak of–just water. Nobody will be saying ‘it just can’t rain anymore…One more shower might have put Red Ellard’s hogs in Mrs. Ellard’s hotel; he kept moving them that way… No fish were reported drowned.

Many people were marooned by the quickly rising waters Monday. Our Mt. Moriah correspondent failed to report for the first time, this week. Coming from CC Monday with a vital part of their milking machine Monday afternoon she and S.T. were turned back down at the channel. They went to Vardaman and tried the Reid crossing, nothing doing, so spent the night with his mother at Vardaman. Tuesday, they tried the channel on No. 9 again, but were turned away. Homesick and, perhaps hungry, they struck out for Houston, Houlka, Pontotoc, to arrive at home too late to report. Next week we shall expect a ‘Mrs. Robinson Crusoe’ book.

North Calhoun is still staggering from the results of the Sunday night-Monday rain. Waters being held back by the Grenada reservoir are delaying an accurate estimate of damage done as well as replacement work.

The bridge across Schoona river on No. 9 highway is definitely out for several days until the water recedes. The blacktop is also badly damaged. The only connections are a few planks to walk on, and cars on each side to convey workers and others to their destinations.

The bridge at Murphree’s crossing, still a few miles further up, is still there and thought to be alright, but flood waters present any approach to it.

The Reid crossing bridge, some ten miles up the river from Bruce, is badly damaged, and work is being rushed to get it ready for traffic late Wednesday or Thursday. Water does not cover the road in this vicinity.

Supervisor Elmo Overby reports at least 14 bridges out or badly damaged in Beat two, and the damage in Beat 3 is fully as great or greater.

The valley road from Williams store west is badly damaged by the waters and the abutments of a number of bridges caved in. Water from the reservoir continues to hold the water back over this road in a number of places making it impassable.

At Coffeeville, Turkey and Durden Creeks flooded a good portion of the town and temporarily blocked traffic on No. 7 and 330 east.

No mail came to Bruce for a period of several hours. Those who wanted material in the Journal, however, reported to other sources and got it here. (Where there’s a will, there’s a way).

The only mail we received Tuesday morning was the Commercial Appeal–only about 30 minutes late–which explains why it has come to be a byword in these parts.

Three cows of Joe Grist are missing in the floodwaters as are a number of others. Some no doubt will be accounted for later.

Theron Plunk was forced finally to bring his fine herd of Black Angus to Bruce and higher ground–without the loss of one, however, we understand he lost a horse and three hogs.

Shed Hill Davis Jr. caught a gold fish (6” long) (fisherman measurement) in his garden, and a number were caught down on the highway.

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