Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-04-07

their origin in elevated regions, when
flushed by heavy rains or dissolving SHOWS
fall into this great basin with tremendu-
Gus force, and either from distractions
that actually exist, like the raft on Red
River, or from not having sufficient des.
cent TO carry off the rapidly accommodating
waters, they spread over the country, ri
wing It the appearance Of vast lake, over
over which magnificent forests of syca. .
more and other gigantic trees wave their
branches in gloomy solitude. In the midst
OF this wilderness, islands Of rock and ele.
vatedportions OF land appear, Of various
dimensions, like GASES in desert, and de-
nominated by the French cote sans de-
seid,' or bills without design How came
those hills in this position ? The most
reaso nable answer that suggests itself to
that question, in my opinion, is, that the far
| greater portion of this yet gloomy region,
annually covered by water. and, at all sea
sons, by heavy growth of timber, thick
cane brakes, closely interviewer by many
plants OF the convuvulus order, was once
high ground, but during some commissions
oil nature sunk TO its present general level.
leaving spots unaffected to tower in gran
ton. AT the same time, the St. Francis
forced from its bed or ancient channel,
was compelled TO seek its devious way 10
the Mississippi through lakes. lagoons, and
Shiny quagmires, Nor is the opinion al
together IN supported by facts, or based
on mere mcclure.
The memorable earthquake of Deem
Der. 1911, after shaking the valley Of the
mississippi 10 IFS centre, vibratcd along
the courses Of the rivers and valleys, and,
passing the primitive mountain barriers,
died away along the shores of the Allan.
tic ocean. In the region now under con.
sideration, during the continuance of so
appalling phenomenon. which common
ced BY distant rumbling sounds, succeeded
by discharges, as if thousand pieces of
artillery were suddenly exploded; the
earth rocked to and fro, vast chasms ope-
ned, from whence issued columns of wa
ter, sand and coal, accompanied by his.
sing sounds, caused. perhaps, by the es.
cape OF pent up steam, whilst ever and a.
non flashes of electricity cleaned through
the troubled clouds Of night, rendering the
darkness doubly horrible.
The current of the Mississippi pending
this elementary strife, was driven back
upon IFS source with the greatest velocity
Tor several hours, In consequence of an
elevation Of its bed, But this noble river
was not thus to be stayed in its course
Its accumulated waters came booming on,
and, overlapping the barrier thus sudden.
iy raised, carried every thing before them
with resistless power. Boats, that floa,ed
on the surface, shot down the decliviiy
like an arrow from bow, amid roaring
pillows and the widest commolion. A fev
days action of this powerful current suf.
heed to wear away every vestige of the
barrier thus strangely interposed, and its
waters moved on in their wonted channels
to the ocean. The day that succeeded
this night oil terror brought no solace ia its
dawn. Shock followed shock-a dense
black cloud of vapor overshadowed the
land, through which no struggling sun
beam found IFS way TO cheer the despond
lOg heart of man, who in silent communi
cation with himself, was compelled TO &C
knowledge his weakness and dependence
on the everlasting God. The appearances
which presented themselves after the sub
sldence of the principal commotion, were
such as strongly supported an opinion
heretofore advanced. Hills had disap-
peared, and lakes were found in their
! stead and numerous lakes became eleva
ted ground, over the surface of which
vast heaps Of sand, were scattered in ey.
cry direction, whilst, 10 many places, the
earth. for miles, was sunk below the gen
eral level OF the country, without being
covered with water, leaving an impression
IN miniature of catastrophe much more
important IN IFS effects, which had, per.
haps preceded it ages before.
One OF the lakes formed on this occasion
IS sixty or seventy miles in length, and
from three to twenty in breath. 1t is, in
some places, very shallow in others.
from fifty TO one hundred feet deep; which
IS much more than the depth of the Miss
issippi river in that quarter. In sailing O
yer It's surface, ip the light canoe, the voy
ager is struck with astonishment at behoI.
ding the giant trees of the forest standing
partially exposed amid waste, of waters.
branchless aud leafless. But the wonder
is still further increased on casting the eve
through the dark blue profound, to observe
cane breaks covering its bottom, over
which mamouth species Of testudo is oc-
casionaly seen dragging his slow length
along, while countless myriads Of fish are
sporting through the aquatic thickets.-
But if God in His wrath has passed tbro,
thus devoted land; If he touched the noun
tans and they disappeared in the abyss,
Ills henIilcent influence is still felt in the
soil climate, the unexampled fertility of
lis SOIL, The deep verdure of its forests. &
The choicest offerings of Flora.