The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-13
Destr uetion of the City Of Alames-Thous
ands Of Livss Lost.

The city Of Alamos, situated in the southern
portion Of Sonora, Mexico, has been swept out of
existence by visitation of nsture-Damely, a
combined attack OF two great furies, wind and
water. The terrible event occurred during the
great sea storm, lsstiDg from the 18th to the 18th
ult. The New York Herald publishes the follow
ing details from private letter:
ON The 18th it commenced TO rain, and on the
10th genuine rain and wind set in, lasting until
the lSth. Ii seemed as il the very hOodgates of
heaven bad opened. and that second deuge 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 II appeared as Il no
human being could live within its reach. The
AlsmOs river was swollen TO great height, and
10 its wild, headlong course, carried everything
before II Houses we're swept away like So many
stIaws, sDd whole blocks of buildings were
ibIowD down like so many trees. The wind was
10 less terrible than the water. Houses were
Enroofed ana blown 10 skaters: tiles aud like
material scattered through the air like chafi
and strong trees were nprooted as if they had
been corDstslks. The best part of the city is
totally destroyed. About the only buildings
saved, WORTHY of mention, are the mint, the
church. arc The old State College. These stood
high grounds, aud this advantage, with their
soldity, saved them. DR.. Eill. an nerc an resi-
dent, had three houses carried away, and ia
loser 10 the amount of about $40 900. Mr.. L.
Robinson Bours, American doing q 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 o. them we're manged
fesrfuy, and could scarcely be recognized.
Mary OF the bodies we're found miles down the
fiver. Undoubtedly the number found will be
largely increased by other unfortunate ones.
have written YOU these few lines burriedy, bn' 90
not attempt 10 describe or explain thi. most ex.
traordinsry phenomenon OF u seven'y-two hours
wtHlwnd and deuge.
Tho ruined city of Alamo7 was the Athens OF
Northv esteTn Mexico, or. at leas had that repu-
tatioD. Its wcrben we're reputed TO be the loveli-
est and most intelligent throughout the republic,
and i's citizens were highly spoken OF as con-
ussted with those Of other populations. There
was great deal of wealth, refinement and luxury
among the better classes. II was sort of sane.
tin. jerusalem, where the proud Spanish blood
and brain held ascsndaucy and would not be
poisoned with contact with Indian and negro mix
tures. Alamos, as a city, had fame before the
great n etroDolis of New York was known. IL is
old among the many old towns of Mexico. Sur
rounding it have been some of the richest mines
in the world, and from which the city has had its
chief support. Al The time Of Its destruction it
contained g population Of about 1000 souls,
though geographical dictionaries place the nun.
Der at 1000. which is at least 5000 too many.
UnbsppIly for its people, the number is lessened
through terrible misfortune, and the "City OF
Poplar Groves" has fallen 70 the dust (eyen as
man fells) in its strength.