Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-05-28
NArcurx. MAY II.
rME DENooEMkNr .or THE oALAs.I.

rHE DESoorAssr ;oF rHE cALAs'I-
What we wrote on Friday. the dsy sf-
ter the calamity, has since proved far too
low q computaiion. and far too faint .
sketch Of the ruin which has befallen our
noble, spiiited yet devoted city.
The estimate Of little more than .
million and quarter Of dollars. for the
damages done TO the buildings merely,
may be neatly correct. for the compact
part Of the city; but 10 cover the loss Of
merchandise, provisions. goods Of various
kinds. add furniture destroyed. there
should. in the opinion Ct some Of our prae-
iicsl and clear headed men, be at least
four millions more sdded--naking the
entire loss Of property in the city Of Nat
chez moro than FIVE MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS.
This estimate We believe 10 be strictly
within the bounds Of moderation. The
immense quantities of pork. bacon. butter,
lard and vegetables. Lost at the landing
swept into the deep aud oblivious river.
would astonish any one not acquainted
with he nature Of our trade. Many Of
our large ware houses and furnishing
stores having lately been crippled and re-
siricted ia their operations. the most Of
the supplies for city. county. and the ad.
jacent counties. having been derived from
the Naichez Landing. These now. with
q very lew exceptions. are whelmed in
the ruin or lost in the water.
There are numerous dwellings in the
lower As we'll as the upper city where ev-
cry item Of furniturs and clothing and
ornament was given 10 the gyrstions Of
the Ehirlwind aud lost irrevocably. Many
ladies lost elegant aud valuable wardrobes
aud were dependent on friendship for the
initial vesimsnis. with which they cover
ed themselves, after they had been re-
jduced 10 a state Of almost entire nudity.
by q toSnado, which was writhing from
the sweat OF its great agony. and leaping
from over to tower with delirius bousd.
The beautiful and splendid villa OF
Andrew Brown, Esq. at which place the
most gorgeous and splendid feie ever gi-
ven in this city 10 the city guests. from
lVicksburg. last year, Is totally ruined
The cost Of its erection was sixty or sew
enty thousand dollars. The mansions Of
Peter Little. Esq. and Mira Linton, on
the Bluff, fronting each other, at about q
mile distant. ou'rode the storm, being
built OF very massive materials. and es-
capped with the loss Of ehimneys, and the
dismsnlling Of some Of the friezes and
architectural ornaments.
The Na,chez Theatre is pile OF shape
less ruins beyond recovery. The building,
surrounded by the walls, and partly CO.
vered by the piles Of the Railroad depot,
late one Of the largest and noblest edlfices
OF the kind, in any city in the Union, is
covered with the wreck Of the tower walls
and roofs. From this immense mass OF
rubbish, several wounded persons and
dead bodies have been dug, aud the work
Of removing the huge pile Of brick and
timber has been but just commenced.
From the immense ruins Of Parker's
Southern Exchange, MeSsrs. Parish and
3emish we're dug out alive, after . con-
6ne nent OF an hour OF two; and the dead
body OF Moses, a most valuable servant !;
1t is possible that there may be one or $50
more bodies still in those ruins.
The Planters Hotel, formerly called
Our House." situated on the brow OF
the bluff, was blown down the precipice.
Many men were known 10 have been in
the house at the time; and II has become
painfully evident 10 the senses that the
rapid decomposition Of flesh 10 going on
under the timber OF tha, house.
Eleven dead bodies have been taken
from the ruins Of the Steamboat Hotel,
which have all been removed by the
gangs Of slaves Of Colonel Surget. Mr..
Crosgrove. and others, generously sent
IN by these wealthy planters.
or the number aud names Of the dead
we cannot now speak with certainty.