The native American., 1838-05-19


l. TO many of readers by all of whom it will be read
with gratifcaton-especiay the glowing description of
8 the earthquake the circumstances attending it, and the
permanent effects left behind the face of the country
where the scene was located, and where it operated With
the greatest violence.
" From the town of Cape Gredeau to Helena,
below the mouth of the ST. Francis, is distance
lot several hundred miles, and from the banks of
the Mississippi to the high grounds in Missouri
and Arkansas, average sixty or seventy miles.
The greater part of this area, with the exception
Of narrow belt stretching along the border Of
the Mississippi, is covered with an immense
morass, inundated by the overfowing of the
Father of Waters or submersed in rushing
torrents from the neighboring hills, the principal
of which is the st. Francis. These streams hav-
ing their origin in elevated regions, when flushed
by heavy rains dissolying SHOWS, fall into this
great basin with tremendous force, and either
from distractions which actually exist, like the
RATS of Red river, or from not having sufficient
descent to carry off the rapidly accumulating
waters, spreading the country, giving it the
appearance of a vast lake, over which the magni-
fcent forests Of cypress and other gigantic trees
wave their branches in gloomy solitude.
In the midst of this wilderness, islands Of rock
and elevated portions Of land appear, of various
dimensions, like oases in desert, and denomina-
ted by the French 'eotesan desein,' hills with
out design. How came these lost hills in this
position? The most reasonable answer that sug-
gests itself to that question, in my opinion, is,
that the far greater portion of this gloomy region
annually covered with water, and at all seasons
by heavy growth Of timber, thick cane brakes,
closely interviewer by plants of the convolvulus
order, was once high ground, but, during some
convulsion of nature, sunk to its present general
level, leaving spots unaffected to tower in gram
deur over the surrounding scene Of desolation.
AT the same time, the st. Francis, forced from
its bed or channel, compelled to seek its de-
vious way to the Mississippi, through lakes,
lagoons, and shiny quagmires. Nor is the opin-
ion altogether unsupported by facts, or based on
mere conjecture.
I The memorable earthquake ofDecember, 1911,
after shaking the valley of the Mississippi to its
centre, vbrated along the course of the rivers and
valleys, and passing the primitive mountain bar
riers died away along the shores of the Atlantic
Ocean. In the region now under consideration,
during the continuance of SO appalling rheno-
menon, which commenced by distant rumbling
sound, succeeded by discharges as if thousand
pieces Of artillery were suddenly exploded, the
earth rocked to and fro, vast chasms opened, from
which issued columns of water, sand and coal,
accompanied by kissing sounds, caused, perhaps,
4 by the escape of pent up steam, whilst ever and
! anon flashes Of electricity cleaned through tile
! doubly horrible.
Y The current of the Mississippi, pending this
elementary strife, was driven back upon its source
with the greatest velocity for several hours, i'll
consequence of an elevation of its bed.
j But this noble river not thus to be stayed
] in its course. Its accumulated waters came
booming on, and overlapping the barrier thus
suddenly raised, carried every thing before them
with resistless power. Boats that foated on its
chDtI oJix,;txy Ia
from bow, amid roaring pillows and the Wild
est commotion.
few days action Of this powerful current
suflced to wear away every vestige of the barrier
thus strangely interposed, and the waters moved
on in their wonted channels to the ocean. The
day that succeeded this night of terror brought
no solace in its dawn. Shock followed shock,
la dense black cloud or vapor overshadowed tile
land, through which sunbeam found its way
to cheer the desponding heart Of man, who, in
silent communion with himself, was compelled
to acknowledge his weakness and dependence on
the everlasting God.
The appearances which presented themselves
after the subsistence of the principal commotion,
were such strongly supported an opinion here
tofore advanced. Hills had disappeared and lakes
were found in their stead; and numerous lakes be-
came elevated ground, over the surface Of which
vast heaps Of sand were scattered in every direc-
ton, while in many places the earth, for miles,
was sunk below the general level of the surround
ing country, without being covered with water,
leaving an impression in miniature ofa catastro-
phe much more important in its effect, which
had, perhaps, preceded it ages before.
One of the lakes formed this occasion, is
sixty or seventy miles in length, and from three
to twenty miles in breadth. 1t is in some places
very shallow in others, from fifty to one hun
dred feet deep; which is much more than the
depth Of the Mississippi river in that quarter. In
sailing over its surface in the light canoe, the
voyager is struck with astonishment at beholding
the giant trees of the forest standing partially
posed amid waste Of waters, branchess and
eahess. But the wonder is still further increased
on casting his eye through the dark profound,
to observe cane-brakes covering its bottom, over
which mammoth species of testudo is OCCASION
ally seen dragging his slow length along, while
countless myriads of fish are sporting through the
nassed tbrouoh this devoted land, if he touched
the mountains and they disappeared in the abyss,
his benefcent influence is still left in the soft eli
\ n !. Il