The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-02-21

From inc s1t0any -ffgus
GREAT LAND SLIDE AT TROY, FORTY
LIVES LOST, SEVERAL BUILDINGS DIES
TROYED.
We have accounts Of fearful calamity at Troy,
occasioned by a land slide, scarcely inferior in ex-
tent and il is feared, even moro destructive OF life,
than that which occurred several years ago.
The slide occurred south Of the former one, on the
same hill-tbe avalanche crushing and nearly bury
ing several frame buildings at the foot OF the hill
and extending quite Main street.
The verbal accounts vary in particulars, but all
concur in representing the loss Of life and the scene
of distress as terrible beyond description. The fol
lowing letter from correspondent furnishes all the
particulars as yet within reach;
Troy, Feb. II, half-past S z. NJ
Messrs. CRoswELL--Our city has been again visit
ed with an awful calumity. Another terrible ava
lanche has swept houses and families away in its
course Of destruction. 1t is useless to attempt 10
parcularize when it is utterly impossible to do so on
this mournful occasion Suffice II to say, that the
earth slide occurred in the immediate vicinity OF
the terrible avalanche Of 1887, about four O'Clock
this afternoon, covering Of ground at the base
Of the hill and crushing to atoms some ten OF twelve
houses, nearly all occupied Whole families have
pershed and the only warning they received was the
death blow that carried them into eternity.
have lust left the ruins to communicate to you
these few lines There, all is panic and confusion
Eight or ten dead bodies have already been taken out
from the ruins and how many alive or partially In
jured cannot tell. The crowds are moving in
from spot 10 spot and IN the centre OF each
the mortal remains of some one who has persisted,
are being carried from the OF destruction to
some more suitable place. The municipal officers
the spot doing all that is possible to be done to
the living, If any are yet to be found and to
take care of the dead When left the smoke was
gushing from the smouderiDg ruins, and several hose
companies were there. While | am writing, the
alarm bell for fire ringing, but do not apprehend
that the destruction can be augmented by fire.
Let me assure you that the scene presents an aw
full and melancholy sight. Babes IN their cradles,
mothers with their children in their arms and stall
wart men, who but two hours ago breathed freely
and in health have been taken from the ruins, mutt
lated and manged corpses. The buildings destroyed
were nearly all new and had but recently been erect
ed They were tenanted principally by poor and in
dustr,ous mechanics. The details OF the calamity
you will receive more at large through our city pa
pers of tomorrow.
will state for the information of your distant
readers that the centre of the avalanche at The
head of Washington street, little below what has
usually been termed the give joints of this city.
The names of the families that have persisted, that
have been able to learn, Birisall, the father
the son Of Maor Birdsall, who shot some years
ago near the arsenal in Albany,) Day, Kelley, and
some others that ! cannot now recolect
4 p. S.--Since the above was in type, have
ceived the following slip from the Troy Budget:
DAILY Troy DUDGEr EXTRA,
Feb. l7-6, p Nj.
AWFUL CATAsrRoPHE.-About 4 O'Clock this af-
ernoon, another land slide occurred from the hill
Mt. Ida,) where the awful catastrophe of January
|, 1897, TRANSFERRED, exceeding in extent and conse
lueDces that memorable disaster
m iQhf tan dNpe lines cd hy 70