Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-01-18
From the Troy Budget, Extra, Jan. ID.
DREADFUL CALAMITY! SIEVE.
RAJ LIVES LOST.

CALAMITY SIEVE
RAJ LIVES LOST.
Early last summer, many Of our readers
are aware, large mass of clay burst from
the hill on the east section Of the first ward
of this city, followed by gushing stream
of water, and doing no other injury than
covering large portion of ground at the
base with the bowels of the hill. Last eve-
ming about o'clock, similar occurrence
took place, but, we regret to say, greater in
extent and exceedingly fatal in its conse-
quences. An avalanche of clay came tum-
bling down from an eminonce Of nearly
500 feet, moving down the base of the hill
in level land and then continued from the
impulse it had received to the distance of
800 feet covering up acres Of ground, ac-
companied with cataract Of water and
sand, which kept up a terrible roar. The
mass moved along with great rapidity, car
rying with it two stables and three dwelling
houses and crushing them and their con-
tents into thousand pieces. The stables
and horses were moved to distance of o.
yer 200 feet into hollow ON the corner of
Washington and Fourth streets.
In its way the avalanche also encounter
ed brick kiln burying j. partially over
and crumbling it together, from which a
few minutes after the flames rushed forth
and lit up the city as with great con-
flagration. This signal was the first
intimation that was had of the catas-
trophe to those not in the immediate vicin-
ity.
The three dwelling houses destroyed
were of light structure, and one occupied
by Mr.. John Grace, another by Mrs. Lea
wentworth, and the third by Mrs. Warner,
the last of which was fortunately vacant at
the time Of the calamity. In Grace's
house was himself and wife and little boy
the two former were extricated from the
ruins dead, and the boy was taken out a.
live, very little hurt, bare footed and bare
headed, the building having been shattered
in thousand pieces-which is undoubted-
ly one of the most singular escapes that
ever came to our knowledge. There were
four of Mrs. Leavenworth's family in her
houso-herself and three children. Two
of the children were in bed at the time
and probably asleep, and were afterwards
taken from Ithe midst of the wreck dead,
crushed almost to jelly and were un-
doubleday thrown instantly from natural
sleep into sleep of death. Mrs. Leaven-
worth was taken out shockingly bruised,
and was barely alive when we last heard
from her. Fortunately three of the family
were at church at the time and escaped
awful deaths.
The stables were owned by Mr.. Bing-
ham, in which were % horses, and all car
ried along with the mass together, with 9
or 10 dirt carts. Six horses were taken
from the ruins alive-the other sixteen were
killed. The dead horses can this morning
be seen mingled among the ruins. Mr..
Bingham's loss must be considerable.
We learn that the body of person was
found, name unknown, who was probably
employed in the brick kiln or stables
which make in all FIVE DEAD BODIES
taken from the ruins last night. There
are probably others buried beneath the ru-
ins, as it is likely some persons at the
same time were in the stables or brick
kiln.
The avalanche passed along public
highway which leads to the mill and nail
factory, and might have carried along with
it some Struggling traveller. The clay is
piled up in some places to the depth Of
from 10 to 40 feet over large surface.
1t must have moved with great rapidly,
and it is fortunate that it had not happened
at the time when the aborers were digging
from the hill. At the time il was showing
freely, and this morning the scene was en-.
tlrely covered with white veil.
The scene that presented itself in the ear.
ly part of the evening was awful in the
highest degree. The horrors of an earth.
quake could not have presented moro
dreadful spectacle. In the midst of mass
of convulsed earth, multitude of human
beings were moving TO and fro--somc car.
rying torches and others digging among
the ruins, and dragging from the midst the
remains of some lifeless body, or were res
cuing some one in whom life had not be-
come extinct-some were crying "ho
ropes, ropes-help, shovels," &c.-while
the scene was dimly illuminated by the
flames from the burning brick kiln, which
is yet smouldering like an almost exhaust
ed volcano. The scene must have been
Witnessed to be realized-we can give but
faint description of it.
Five large trees were precipitated from
the hill, some of which are now stand
ing erect at the bottom, and others in a
slightly inclined posture. The whole is
considered singular phenomena, and the
immediate cause is the result of much spec
ulation.
We have endeavored to give all the par
ticulars that have come to our knowledge.
In doing it in great haste, few inaccura-
cies may have crept into our statement, but
in the end it will be found generally cor
rect.
Rath5un Trial.-The several indictments
against Benjamin Rathbun, indicted for for
gerry, came on yesterday, for trial, at the
Court Of Oyer and Termner, now in ses.
sion in this city, Judge Gardiner presiding.
An affidavit was put in by the prisoner, stat
ing that Lyman Rathbun, Rathbun Allen,
and Horace James Of New York, were ma
terial Witnesses in his behalf, but could not
be produced; and on motion of Il. H..
Sherwood and E. Van Buren,, Esqrs. Coun.
sci for the prisoner, his trial was put over
until the next Court Of Oyer and Terminer,
in July next.
The prisoner was willing to come to tria!
on the first twelve indictments found against
him, by which he is only charged as access