“Russelville, (Ken.) Feb. 19”

Date

3-26-1812

Newspaper

Hampshire Federalist

Page and Column

Page 4, Column 4 and 5

Newspaper Location

Springfield, Massachusetts.

Serial Number

803

Abstract

Report from Russelville Kentucky from survivors of the New Madrid earthquake. The describe the buildings at New Madrid as being torn to pieces and the only way to get around is on horseback. It describes that 100 acres near New Madrid have sunk so that only the tops of trees are above water. Detailed short account of damage.

Transcript

RUSSELVILLE, (KEN.) FEB. 19. We have seen a statement made by a couple of gentlemen just from New-Madrid, which says that that place is much torn to pieces by the late Earthquake; so much so, that it is almost impossible to get along in any way, but entirely on horseback. The houses of brick, stone and log are torn to pieces, and those of frame thrown upon their sides. The ground near that place for 100 acres has sunk so low that the tops of the tallest trees can barely be seen above the water; in other places more than half the timber is under water. The citizens have fled to the mountains, and were, when the informants left there, waiting for an opportunity to move to Kentucky. It is said they are near one thousand in number! Merciful God! What a horrid situation! One thousand sufferers collected together, without any means of substituting, having escaped from their ruins with nothing but their lives and clothes. Still threatened with a like catastrophe to that which they escaped; and above all, are suffering for food! The picture is to horrid to be dwelt upon. Our sympathy is with them, and our prayers presented for their delivery.

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