The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-10-28
. GREAT DISASTER AT BUFFALO.
Correspondence Of Tribune.
BUFFALO, Oct, 10. 1914

Correspondence oil the Tribune.
BUFFALO, Oct. 49, ls4A.
FRIEND GREELET: ! snatch my pen to give
you faint description Of the effects and disasters OF
one Of the most terrific gales known TO the Oldest in
habtnnts Of Buffalo. The weather had been for some
days lowery and rainy, but wind until last night
the wind began to blow about IL o'clock, and in
four hours all the mischief was dono The gale rails
cd the winter in the Lake and overlooked all the low
grounds Of the city and much Of ,hickIy inhabited
Many poor persons lived in the easements, and most
ofthem were drowned. The water has been higher
than ever before known hero. Many houses were u
float and some Aoated of. Tho destruction 10 prop
erty, public and private, is great buildings blown
down, lumber and fences wood, canal boats, sail
sells and steamers all in confusion, and many Of
them on dry ground. Among the steamers dry
ground are the Dole, Columbus, the iron Revenue
Cutter and two briggs, the natlaa Of which l did not
learn. At anchor, beating in the Bay in great dan
ger, is Julia Palmer, and the 81 Louis has just gone
down to the Rock, having been ont all night. The
Com. Perry has just come in literally wreck. !
have seen with my eyos twenty five dead bodies,
drowned-now ut the Court House for inquest. They
men, women and children; some with clothes on
and others just out of bed, with nothing but night
clothes Mothers with their whole families arc
lying side by side, and no one can tell how many
moro may yet be found during the day. I have been
along tho entire len 9Th of the Dock md on this al
most the entire flooring is lined up and in confusion,
and the produce, salt and -four fallen down into the
water. Canal boats also submerged, loaded with
flour, and several schooners nre lying one end on the
dock and the other in the water, tipped down.
Several persons have been killed by the blowing
r hit IL. r.
oft been taken away and will cos, much to replir
! il. ! have just learned thar the Julia Palmer has
thrown overheard II horses and much of her freight:
and she had many passengers on board. Just
leu rned that the other side fthe Creek a woman
was seen standing by the side oftwo dead children,
beckoning some one to come to her and take them.
Some Of the houses the South side of Big Buffalo
Creek have fioated the East side, and 9th
are moved from their foundations. One end Of
the cotton factory has been blown in, and an A.
pothecnry shop in Main street has been blown down.
Many chimneys have been pros,rated. number Of
canal boats high and dry the Flats The streets
in the lower part oftAe City impossible, being
clogged with Lumbar, Lockwood, wagons carts, sand
&c The cellnrs filled with water; and to-day
all arc engaged in getting out property from tho
ms. Cows, horses. and other domestic animals, are
lying together, dead, amid the ruins and more dead
bodies are constantly being discovered.
hope il may not be my lot to witness another
such scene. The wind continues to blow very hard
The losS orvesses the Lake must have been great
though we have not yet been able learn the ex
tent The destruction all sorts OF property in the
lower part OF the City is immense. The water runs
several feet higher than before known Ono
house was washed completely down, and the inmates
supposed TO be drowned; their bodies have yet
been found The Creeks full Of floating wood
and lnmber. and throngs Of people hrrrying TO
and fro, in eager curiosity witness the Of
death and devastation, learn the fate of friends
and property. Women weeping the dead
IN all directions, and the Coroners busy Tho
living are congrauating each other on having surviv
ed the terrors Of such night. In instance
persons saved themselves by making raft of the
roof of their house, and floating to land Business is
completely at a stand. The saddest spectacle Of all
Is the sight Of the dead and their weeping friends;
and this is truly hear-ronding. Bat have not
to say more at present Yours truly AN OBs server.