“The Earthquakes”
Date
8-12-1812
Newspaper
The Courier
Page and Column
Page 4, Column 2
Newspaper Location
Norwich, Connecticut
Serial Number
900
Abstract
Report from New Madrid from June 13, 1812 on the aftereffects of the New Madrid earthquakes. Reports the damage of the earthquakes and 3/4 of the population had left the area. Good brief account of aftermath.
Transcript
THE EARTHQUAKES. The following is an extract of a letter, dated New-Madrid, Louisiana (now Missouri) territory June 13, 1812: "This country, as you have no doubt heard has experienced great injury by the violent concussions of the earthquakes. In some places the soil is much injured owing to the explosions from the bowels of the earth, which have caused the sinking of the ground mostly in the little Prairie, and in consequence of which we have no doubt that many places that were before dry will now in the times of high freshets be inundated. But the greatest injury that the country has sustained is its depopulation by the desertion of the inhabitants. The events of the 7th of February last were dreadfully alarming indeed. About three-fourths of the inhabitants left the country; and a great portion of them have not yet returned, prevented by the apprehension of what may yet befal this devoted country, for the tremors of the earth still continue. We have from five to eight shocks in twenty-four hours, and I could speak within bounds to say we have had ten thousand shocks."
Recommended Citation
"“The Earthquakes”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 874.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/874
