The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-10-23
CHARIrsroN a. Z

As Of Mrs. Hcrry's negroes ~
CHARLESTON, OCT. 4.
Ertrcct of letter from, gentleman at North
Inlet, data on Sunday last,) 10 has friends
an thfs chy.
is my very painful duty 70 be the
bearer of dreadful news. pray YOU.
my dear friend, to calm and compose
yourself, and bear with resignation the
dlspensation of an Almighty Providence.
in whose hands alone are all our lives.
In announcing the dreadful catastrophe.
! can scarcely proceed-but it must be
done. Our dear and beloved friends,
Z. T. Withers and family, with the house,
were swept away on Friday night by
the terrible storm or tornado, and of the
whole number, only Mr. Withers has
yet been found. He was taken out of
the water yesterday morning. after hay
ing been in it three or four hours. He
was carried to Debordieu's Island, and
has had every kindness and attention
paid TO him, by Mr.. CohcH's family. ]
was with him all the day, as was also
the Rev. Mr., Capers, and it is at his
particular request that make this com
munication to you. Every search was
and still is making for the rest of the
tamily--but, as yet, nothing has been
seen or heard Of them.
The materials of the house, furniture.
&c. are found scattered and drifted in
every direction, and the dead body Of
one OF his negroes has been found
Mr.. Withers states, that between one
and two o'clock in the morning, after
the chimnies had fallen, his whole fam
lily, with Withers Shackelford and Capt
Wish, left the body of the house, and
went into the western shed-room, (wind
>. r. being, as they thought, the most
safe. In ten minutes after, the house
wavered, and in an instant was crushed:
ne fell, but recovered, and found himself
IN the water-and he recollects hearing
a call for him to catch Anna Maria; az
ter which he recolleCts nothing of his
family. After being in the water long
while, he saw negro near him he
asked who he was the fellow replied,
stranger-well said he, I" take hold.
for | must quit''-a voice behind ex-
claimed, Ny dear father don't give up,
we can yet be saved'--turning, he said,
" Is it you, my son ?n-s Yes, my dear
father-don't give up, I'm yet strong,
and can hold on-we may be saved.'-
Here wave came, and part of the
wreck of the house in it, and covered
them all, which was the last he saw of
his son. Mr.. Withers was heard, and
seen. and rescued by Lieut.. Levy, of
the United States Navy, who was pass
ing the summer at Mr.. Cohens, on De-
bordieu's Island-this gentleman waded
mp TO his chin in the marsh and creek.
and was the happy instrument of saving
Mr.. Withers and his servant Guido, who
was the fellow Mr. Withers spoke 10 as,
before mentioned. Jack, a little boy,
was also saved, by floating up to Mr..
Cohen's on one of the steps of the
house. AS yet we have made no fur
Their or successful discovery Of any other
part of the family fear Their Etes
are but too certain.
In vain should attempt to, give a
full account of this most awful and
dreadful scene.-I am inadequate TO
the task. Such night as Friday night,
and such day as yesterday, never
before experienced. Poor Mrs. Myers
and family, Ia or 8 in number, are al
so swept away, and nothing can be
heard of them and also poor barber,
named Derosa Mrs. Botsford and two
white children, and two negroes killed
by the fall of Mr.. Forts house. Every
heart is full, and every eye is streaming.