Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1860-06-28

The following 10 an extract Of letter from
= lady residing at Camanchs. to her father
(hr. cHs's CHAsE) at Winchester. Mrs.
erohor CHAsz. the lady alluded to who ran
such narrow risk Of her life, is the dAugh-
ter OfsAxvrr RrDrsoun. Esq. Ofthis county.
Her numerous friends viii be glad 70 learn
Of her fortunate escape:
Sunday evening. about s O'Clock. il
began 20 cloud up. The horizon looked OF
bright color /; but some ons remarked. We
are not going 10 have much rain here. But
very soon The clouds grew dark or biack
There ,eemed 10 rise one in the West s,.t
and then one from the Souih-Eas II began
70 ram very hard. We went into the house,
and aiter few minutes heard a strange
no,se-thought It Numbered. but the noise
did not cease. We went to the door and
found the fencing and srbour blown down
We hnrried back as fast as We could. BY
this tine tho storm ragged fariously the side
nights fell out T, then the door burst open we
started upstairs; the chimney began 10 fall
IN and blow OF; We started back. not know
ing what TO do or where to 10. Our child
soon brought US 10 reason /; we got Go the
chamber door the chimney came through the
wall grabbed my child, and tina, Is all
knev-how got down stairs. know not.
The sides Of the windows and shutters were
Tying about. Oh the horror Of those 6f-
teen minutesi When il closed. such /.
scene! Houses blown entirely away; some
falling in and crushing the inmates some
going here and there for comfort | looked
awhile. and the remainder Of the night waa
spent IN taking care Of the dying and woun-
ded who had fed to Us for refuge. We sent
one OF our number TO our brothers bouse.
knowing him 10 be away. The house had
fallen in. with Mrs. George Chase and two
children buried in the ruins. They worked
tAl they got Mrs. Chase and the children out.
being over an hour. Strange to say Mrs.
u, IN all this time. was only little bruised,
but The Oldest child Cliunter Boyd was kill
ed. Efforts were made 70 bring him 10. but
AZ in vain-he was dead The younger
child was not hurt at all Mr.. c.. did not
return till next day. The house wat situated
on the Mississippi, and il is a wonder 20 all
that it did not blow into the river. II the
house had not blown in during the frst gust
nothing could have saved il from the water
when the two winds met We have vr,.,
cause 70 be sorrowful We should be ,n,nL
ful that it was no worse-that only one ~
our happy number was killed, How We ali
escaped, Is mystery to s-,i Of us. As fast
as the F9unded came, we provided beds as
oomior able rs we could for tSem-took all
OF our clothing 10 dress the wounded and
dead, hll we had nothing left save a few
things We were obliged to keep. Some came
Make, covered with sand and dirt. We
could not tell what was before US. Several
messengers were despatched to Clinton and
Lyons. two towns near Camapche. for helm
Soon steamboats, and cars came loaded with
physicians and friends TO help. All were
Kept busy until daylight The citizens from
both places have done all they could do to
help us-send Us food. clothing. &c. The
funerals Of % took place about o'clock on
Tuesday. Some Of our horses have been
found. but no COWS. Have no out-build.
ings left-ice-housc aud all gone"