The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-11
Destruction of the city of Alamos-Thous-
ands of Lives Lost.

The city of Alamos, situated In the southern
portion of Sonora, Mexico, has been swept out of
existence by q visitation of nature-namely, a
combined attack Of two great furies, wind and
water. The terrible event occurred during the
great sea storm, lasting from the 18th to the 18th
ult. The New York Herald publishes the follow
ing details from private letter:
On the 18th il commenced to rain, and on the
10th genuine rain and wind set in, lasting until
the 18th. Ii seemed as II the very hoodgates Of
heaven had opened. and that second deluge was
upon the world. The wind, too, roared with
dreadful fury, and all the elements seemed conn
bined for some dreadful carnage. We little though
what was in store for our beautiful city. Bat
soon the tale was told and the destruction COM
plete, or almost complete. The storm lasted
until late in the evening Of the 18th. Dur.
ing its continuance It appeared as II no
human being could live within its reach. The
Asmos river was swollen to great height, and
in its wild, headong course, carried everything
before it, Houses were swept away like SO many
straws, and whole blocks of buildings were
thrown down like so many trees. The wind was
no less terrible than the water. Houses were
unroofed and blown to skaters tiles and like
material were scattered through the air like chat,
and strong trees were uprooted as if they had
been cornstalks. The best part of the city is
totally destroyed. About the only buildings
saved, worthy Of mention, are the mint, the
church. and the old State College. These stood
on high grounds, aud this advantage, with their
eoiidity, saved them. DR.. Hill. an America an resi-
dent, had three houses carried away, and is a
loser TO the amount of about $40. 900. Mr.. T..
Robinson Bours, an American doing a banking
business here. had his banking house swept away.
Others have suffered severely. The loss of life
has been quite large. Sixty dead bodies have
been picked up. Some OF them were msngled
fesrfuily, and could scarcely be recognized.
Many of the bodies we're found miles down the
river. Undoubtedly the number found will be
largely increased by other unfortunate ones.
have written you these few lines hurriedly. but do
not attempt TO describe or explain this most ex.
traordnery phenomenon of a seventy-two hours
wbirlwiDd and deuge.
The ruined city of Alamos was the Athens of
Northwestern Mexico, or, at leas had that repu-
tatioD. Its women were reputed to be the lowell
est and most intelligent throughout the republic.
and its citizens were highly spoken Of as con-
trssted with those Of other populations. There
was great deal of wealth, refinement and luxury
among the better classes. 1t was sort of sane
tilted Jerusalem, where the proud Spanish blood
and brain held escendsncy and would not be
poisoned with contact with Indian and negro mix
lures. Alamos, as a city, had fame before the
great n etropolis Of New York was known. 1t is
old among the many old towns Of Mexico. Sur
rounding il have been some Of the richest mines
In the world, and from which the city has had its
chief support. At the time Of Its destruction it
contained a population of about 1000 souls,
though geographical dictionaries place the num-
Der at 10000, which is at least 5000 too many.
Unhspplly for its people, the number is lessened
through q terrible misfortune, and the 'City Of
Poplar Grovesu has fallen to the dust (even as
man fells) in its strength.