Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1856-09-04
From the New Orleans Picsyune, Aug. IA.
The Great Storm at the SOuth--
Terrible loss of Life.


Terrible loss of Life.
The rumor which prevailed yesterday, of
the destruction of Last Island in the late
storm, is probably too true. We have on
ly some general reports of the greatness of
the disaster, and few vague particulars
of the loss of individuals and families
The accounts brought from Thibodaux aud
Berwick's Bay, by the Opelousas Railroad
last evening, are eoniirmatory of the inun-
dation of the island, the destruction of the
buildings, and the probable loss of great
many lives, reaching, perhaps, to six or sew
en- score. In the mean time the anxiety
to learn the particulars is very great; and
the means of communication between the
city and the scene of the suffering are very
slight.
Last Island is an island in the Gulf of
Mexico which has been for some years
made summer resort for planters and their
families from the interior parishes of La
fourche and Attakapsa, and some from the
city. 1t is distant from the main land at
the mouth of the bayou abont twenty miles !;
the nearest land IS five or six miles distant.
The island is about twenty-five miles in
length, and from half to three quartsrs of
mile wide-only three or four feet above
the level of the Gulf. 1t is exposed to the
full sweep of the waters and the southern
breezes, which have made it a desirable re-
treat in the summer months.
This year the island is reported to have
been well patronized, and the anxiety is
therefore intense to learn who were exposed
to the stotm, and what losses we have to
deplore.
The ordinary access by the city is via the
Opelousas Railroad to Bayou Rceuf, and
thence by steamboat to the island, going
and returning twice week by the steam
boat Star. The Star appears to have been
wrecked in the storm, and the reports be-
low make the wreck the only refuge of all
that remains of the submerged island.
By the arrival of the Opelousas cars this
afternoon we hope to have further details,
and pray that the accounts heretofore re-
ceived may have been much exaggerated.
In the meantime we subjoin such items
as we have been able to gather. The fol-
lowing letters will show the excitement
caused by the reception of the disaster at
Brashear City, and the promptness with
which steps were taken to send relief to the
survivors:
BRAsHEAR CRY HOTEL,
Wednesday, Aug. 13-4, P. NJ.
Eds Pic: John Davis has Just got here
from the Last Island in small boat, and
reports Last Island swept of all the houses
by the storm of last Sunday night, and that
1877 lives were lost by the disaster. This
is the amount hurriedly aseertained at pres
ent.
BEcKw1rH's BAY, Aug. 18th.
In great haste. We have just sent the
Maj. Aubrey to the assistance of the suf-
ferers, who are cliDging to the hull CT the
steamboat Star. She starts thence in an
hour, only awaiting to wood at this place.
EUGENE DAILY.
Mr.. Davis, above referred to, we are in
formed, is the keeper of the oyster saloon
beneath John McConnel's restaurant, in
Common street in this city. He succeeded
in getting his wife, we learn, into place of
safety, and then started to procure aid
He was accompanied to Berwick's we are
informed, by the engineer of the steamer
Star, which he left on Tuesday morning.
The depth of water on the island, refer
ring, as we understand it, to the highest
portion, is reported at five feet. The wreck
Of the steamboat Star is stated to be lying
on the island, near where the hotel of John
Muggah formerly stood.
The rise of the ;nundation is said to have
peen of unparalleled rapidity, the hight of
five feet being reported to have been attain
ed in two minutes! Although we Were to
read '.hours" instead of minutes" it will
not be difficult to understand what wild
excitement and fearful havoc it must have
caused, with no succor at hand.
All the houses on the island were swept
away, and it is particularly reported that
most of those staying at the hotel, were
drowned.
A list of reported victims, we are inform
GU, WstS liM iMdIucu W lItSllcttI Sltl VI DcI-
wick's Bay, but we have not been able to
find any one in tie city who has brought
up copy oft with him. We have, how
ever, heard the names of few of those al
legged to have been drowned, and give them
as they have reached us; but without
vouching for their correctness; Mr.. Herr, of
this city; VIM. Rochelle, of Pattersonville;
Mrs. Como, (name probably otherwise
spelled) of Pattersonville; John Muggah,
co-proprietor of the hotel, wife, five chill
dren and brother; Mrs. Masked and two
of Franklin; barkeeper of the ho-
tel, name MT ascertalned.
1t is stated that there Were about four
hundred persons on the island at the time
of the disaster; and the number surviving
on the wreck Of the Star is estimated at
from $50 to 275.
Most of these reports, with numerous
others to be traced to no reliable source,
were curious throughout the city last
night, and naturally created great excite
ment, which will not be allayed until we
have fuller and minute particulars of the
disaster. 1t may be safely inferred, how
ever, that the worst of it, as whole, is
given in our version Oft, and that efficient
aid has been forwarded to the survivors,
The fact of list of those sacrificed having
been made up, shows that on the spot the
survivors We're collected, and in a position
TO aid themselves, at least to some extent. |
We hope to see those belonging to this
city back by this evening, and enable us TO
give complete and exact account of the
sad occurrence.