17 Feb 1916
Page 1
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Newspaper
Monroe News Star
Location
Monroe, Louisiana, United States of America
Date
Feb 17, 1916
Page
1
Part of St Joseph floods with rising water today city residents scramble to evacuate. Water depths threaten homes and businesses while authorities urge caution and sheltering in place. Fire department and volunteers assist with evacuations as flooding spreads through streets and low-lying areas.
Report from Natchez dated February 17 states Mississippi River levee breaches near Newellton spillwater toward St. Joseph and Waterproof. As flooding widens, about three thousand blacks are moved by motor boats from mills and gins to the levees for river crossing. Refugees reach Vidalia and Natchez as more than 125000 acres flood. activity centers on Newellton break and Crevasse expansion.
A telephone message from Osieria La. reports a levee breach pouring over a thickly populated section near Os triea 68 miles below New Orleans. Extensive orange groves and truck farms face the flood and heavy damage is feared though no casualties are reported.
Miss Stearns at City School Auditorium called the State Training School library a tragedy for boys lacking suitable books. She urged securing Chicago Public Library’s 25 test books list and presenting funds via subscriptions. The News-Star has begun collecting funds to purchase books, as the school lacks library funds relying on donations.
A committee proposes a standing army of over 160000 men, aiming to bolster national defense. The measure outlines a regular army expansion with emphasis on trained manpower and organized defense readiness. The proposal signals a major shift toward permanent military forces.
Washington reports a committee bill to raise the regular army to 160000-200000 men and to plan federalization of the national guard under a militia pay act, with action likely within three weeks. Navy buildup lags to May, while submarines dominate naval debate as Grant argues for a larger fleet amid growing global submarine programs.
New Orleans Feb 17 John M Parker announced he will start his North Louisiana campaign with a meeting in Shreveport Saturday night February 19. He delivered tirades against the New Orleans Democratic organization and spoke in the tenth ward Tuesday night to 164 people. Nicholls of New Iberia says Iberia parish will rejoin the Democratic ranks. Peterman, manager for the Bull Moose candidate, attacked Werlein as impudent and not an issue in this campaign.
The McGuire Cattle Company launches a large scale cattle operation sending a 30 car train valued at $20,090 toward Texas points for pasturing and feeding. The company gathers 3000 head in the West Side region, buying cattle across Northeast Louisiana for shipment amid high market prices.
Investigators concluded defective wiring caused the blaze on the Brooklyn waterfront that destroyed three British steamships and a 96 foot pier. Loss is estimated at 3 to 4 million dollars with nearly 300 people endangered and one crew member unaccounted for. Fire officials ruled out incendiary causes despite earlier reports.
The Sea board Airline's Florida limited train bound for the north crashed at Kingsland bridge on the Bellwood plantation near Richmond. The engine and tender jumped the track tearing away rails and four coaches toppled down an embankment. Report says no fatalities, fourteen persons seriously injured.
A devastating blaze at the Menpta Opera House killed nine people as search parties cleared debris in the ruins. Firefighters battled flames, noting extensive structural damage and a high casualty count amid chaos inside the theater.
Mexia Texas February 17 nine dead and about $100000 loss as gas explosion and building collapse destroy the Mexia opera house and adjoining structures. Victims include A U Weisner and family members along with several others. Fire spread to nearby shops, with rescue efforts ongoing and debris being cleared.
Miss Lutie Ke. Stearns, Milwaukee club woman and social worker, spoke at the City School Auditorium urging Monroe to establish a free library as a community project unlinked to church or sect. Mayor H. D. Apgar endorsed the plan, urging unity among rich and poor to ensure a free Carnegie library and noting the municipal duty to provide library facilities.
Professor and Mrs. Weisner survive with a 12 year old son not present at the opera house. The family arrived from Bowie Texas last summer while Weisner serves his first term as city schools superintendent. Professor Bruton lists Winnsboro as home though he taught in Texarkana.
Grand Duke Nicholas captures a major Turkish stronghold as reports confirm the loss of a chief city. The seizure signals a decisive gain for Russian forces and reshapes the regional balance of power. Local casualties and fortress defenses are under review as communications with the frontlines continue.
London dispatch reports Erzerum’s fall to Russian forces with a garrison of over 100,000 and more than a thousand guns captured. Turks reportedly retreat westward as Entente analysts see Erzerum as the gateway from Asia to Europe, potentially easing pressure on Britain in Mesopotamia. Western front fighting and Russian operations have diminished.
The Turkish war department announced that a British expedition in Mesopotamia lost two thousand officers and men in a battle near Batiba. It also said Russians suffered five thousand killed in a three day battle in the Caucasus.
Washington reports Germany will inform the United States that armed passenger liners leaving American ports may receive no warning before submarine attacks unless assurances are given that liners will not attack submersibles. Ambassador Bernstorff will confer with Secretary Lansing this afternoon to convey the view in reply to the US statement yesterday. President Wilson and Secretary Lansing study the Lusitania agreement. Lansing accepts it as to the Lusitania case but asks for guarantees Germany will not adopt sinking merchant vessels without warning when liners carry defensive armament.
A morning meeting at the library site near Court Square discussed establishing a free public library. Miss Stearns urged a trained librarian as the first key step, with W N Smith and associates pledging 720 to fund the first year's salary. After three years the city would assume librarian salary, and Miss Stearns aims to hire a Wisconsin library course graduate with practical experience.
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