The Donaldsonville Chief

CLOSING CREVASSES.

Messrs. Nick Sewall & Brother, the young men who recently succeeded in closing the Bel Air crevasse in West Baton Rouge parish after the task had been abandoned as hopeless, propose to stop the disastrous Davis break for $65,000 provided they are furnished with sufficient funds to cover the cost of the work as it progresses. An attempt is being made to raise the required amount by subscription and a number of interested planters have already offered to contribute several thousand dollars.

The Davis crevasse is one of the most damaging that has ever occurred in the State, and as the river will maintain its present high stage some time to come the large area of devastation resulting from this break will be measurably increased if means are not found for arresting the enormous flow of water through the gap. The method of the Sewall Brothers consists in the almost exclusive use of 4x4 posts, so dovetailed together as to present a solid wall of timber to the flood through which very little water can find its way. They are confident of meeting with success at Davis equal to that which crowned their work at Bel Air, and they ought by all means to be given an opportunity to make the trial.

The Morgan Railroad Company has agreed to pay $20,000 for its share if the crevasse is closed, and will advance the amount if the contractors can furnish security for its return in case of failure.