“Arrived in this place...’
Creator
Vertner
Date
3-26-1812
Newspaper
Petersburg Republican
Page and Column
Page 2, Column 3
Newspaper Location
Petersburg, Virginia
Serial Number
1138
Abstract
Report from Russelville, Kentucky that quotes John Vertner on damage at New Madrid from the earthquakes. Differing version of Vertner account.
Transcript
RUSSELVILLE, (Ken.) Feb. 26. Arrived in this place on Friday morning last, Mr. John Vertner and crew, from N. Madrid, from whom we learn, that they were on shore five miles below, that place on Friday morning the 7th inst, at the time of the hard shock, and that the water filled their barge and sunk it, with the whole of its contents, losing every thing but the clothes they had on. They offered, at N. Madrid, half their loading for a boat to save it, but no price was sufficient for a hire of a boat. Mrs. Walker offered a likely negro fellow for the use of a boat a few hours, but could not get it. The town of New Madrid has sunk 12 feet below its former standing, but is not covered with water; the houses are all thrown down, and the inhabitants moved off, except the French, who live in camps close to the river side, and have their boats near them in order to sail off, in case the earth should sink. It is said that a fall equal to that of the Ohio is near above New Madrid, and that several whirls are in the Mississippi river, some so strong as to sink every boat that comes within its suck; one boat was sunk with a family in it. The country from New Madrid to the Grand Prairie is very much torn to pieces, & the Little Prairie almost entirely deluged. It was reported when our informants left that country, that some Indians, who had been out in search of some other Indians that were lost, returned, and stated that they had discovered a Volcano at the head of the Arkansas, by the light of which they travelled 3 days and nights. A vast number of sawyers have risen in the Mississippi river. No pencil can paint the distresses of the movers! Men, women and children, barefooted & naked! Without money & without food!
Recommended Citation
"“Arrived in this place...’" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 1092.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/1092
