“Russelville...”
Date
3-21-1812
Newspaper
Western Spy
Page and Column
Page 3, column 1
Newspaper Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
Serial Number
540
Abstract
Very detailed account from New Madrid of damage on river. Mentions waterfalls at New Madrid and boats being sunk. Very good account. Places mentioned, Russelville, Kentucky.
Transcript
RUSSELVILLE, Feb. 26. Arrived at this place on Friday morning last, Mr. John Vertner and crew, from New Madrid, from whom we learn that they were at shore about five miles below that place, on Friday morning the 7th of this instant at the time of the hard shock, and 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 New Madrid half their loading for a boat to save it, but no price was sufficient for the hire of a boat. Mrs. Walker offered a likely Negro fellow for use of about a few hours, but could not get it. The town of New Madrid has sunk twelve feet below its former standing, but is not covered with water; the houses are all thrown down, and the inhabitants moved on, except the French, who live in camps close to the river side, and have their boats tied 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, and the Little Prairie almost entirely deluged. It was reported when one informants left that country, that some Indians who were in search of some other Indians that were lost, had returned, and stated that they had discovered a volcano at the head of the Arkansaw, by the light of which they traveled three days and nights. A vast number of sawyers have risen in the Mississippi river. No pencil can paint the distress of the many movers!
Recommended Citation
"“Russelville...”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 531.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/531
