Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-08-30
PLAQUENIINE PARISH IBERVILLE LA. AUGUST 3O 1856

injured by falling timber, and rendered in-
capable, probably, of any exertion. His res
markable rescue is reported below. 1t is res
ported that young Mr. MILE had ran to the
aid of Mr.. ScHLATRE, when he was hurt, and
this was the last seen of him. It is also res
ported that his wife was seen to be washed
from log TO which she was clinging, subse-
quently to losing her child, who had been wash
ed from heE arms by the waves. These how
ever, are merely reports, the correctness of
which cannot be vouched for
| No lady, and probably no gentleman, showed
more presence of mind, nor more correct
judgment, in SO trying situation, than Mrs.
CRoPPER, of this parish. She clung to her
house and then her kitchen, until both were
blown away. 1t is said that a skiff fortunately
came within her reach at about this time, by
which means she got 10 where she thoaght
was the shallowest water Here she told her
children and servants, to take hold of each O.
theirs hands, plant their feet firmly in the sand
and TO do this most effectualy she made them
take off their shoes and then when wave
came which rolled over their heads, to face it
and all bow to it as she did, and at once-thus
preventing the wave from washing them away
by diminishing its force upon them, and also
from their being separated. In this awful
situation she spent the night, nothing but a
black sea around her, amidst The rain that
poured down in torrents, and catching breath
only as each wave left their heads above was
ter Mrs. c. had pulled off her diamonds and
laid them OF the table previous to dressing for.
dinner, when the house began to give way
She lost her jewelry and every thing else
even TO the clothing on her person faithful
negro next morning picked up some of her sill.
yer ware from the sand, aud gave ii to her
which was afterwards stolen from her after
she had got on board of the wreck of the Star,
Mrs. CRoPPER, is one of the wealthiest ladies'
Of this parish.
Mrs. ToFFIER, of Bayou GouIa, showed
motnerly affection and courage truly remarka.
bic and deserving richly to be mentioned. We
were told that she was on a piece of timber
together with her mother and brother with an
infant child in her arms. 1t was as much as
each could do to cling TO the plank beneath
them. Late in the night the child was thought
to be dead-it had previously vomited blood
over its mother. She was conjured to let the
Iifeless corpse sink, or she would inevitably be
dashed into the sea with it. She clung to her
child, however, although her leg had been
frightfnlly bruised by the timber dashing ae
gainst it. She miIked, at intervals, the milk
from her breast into the unconscious infants
mouth And thus passed the Eight. In the
morning she got on the wreck in safety Her
child was doing we'll at the time we heard the
report.
The most awfnl occurrence, perhaps, connects
ed with the catastrophe, was that caused by
the destruction Of Muggahs hotel. A large
crowd had gathered in what was said to be the
strongest room, when it all went in a moment,
not vestige remaining land thus large
number of lives were lost at one "fell swoop.'
1t is said that at this moment, there were a
large party playing "poker" in another room.
We trust, however, that such report is false
Mr.. ROCHELLE was in the tavern at the time,
and was known 10 have some ten thousand
dollars on his person. He was q planter in
Attakapas. He was found next morning
known by having but one leg, his pocket cut out
and every valuable about him stolen. This is
not the only instance Of large sum Of money
being lost. There was also said to be in the
hotel at the time it was destroyed, young las
dy from New Orleans, The daughter of widow,
who had but few moments previous dressed
for dinner, and had on her per. on $4,000
aoortb of diamonds She was found next
dead but every piece Of jewelry had
been torn from her, perhaps 'ohie she soas in
life. Another young lady stopping in the h6s-
tel, and remarkable for he beauty, was engaged
to be married 10 young man who was also
stopping there. She was the eldest daughter
of Mr.. CoMEAu. She was lost, but the young
man saved, with d fractured arm Thus,
wealth, beauty, pIighted loye-hearts Beating
with bright opea-youthful breasts agitated
with high asprations-al all, were in mos
ment sunk into one common grave.
A lady reports that while she was on the
wreck, The pirates who had come around the
island il their little boats, from their retreats
from among the bayous, were seen TO drag
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