The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1869-01-13
Destruction of the City Of Alamos.-
Thousands Of Lives Lost. ~

The city OF Alamos, situated In the Southern
portion Of Sonora, Mexico, ilas been swept out
Of existence by q tisitatio OF nature---nameiy,
a, combined attack Of two great furies. wind
and water. Tho terrible event occurred dur
ing the groat sea storm. lasting from the 10Th
TO the 18th ultimo. The New York Herald
publishes the following details from private
letter: -.- ~. -''77 'f ..' -- ~
On tho 18th it commenced TO rain, and on
tho 10th genuine rain and wind set IN, last.
ing until tho 18th, 1t seemed as IL the very
food-gates OF Heaven bad opened, and that
second deluge was upon the world. The wind,
too, roe red with dreadful fury, and all the
elemeuts seemed combined for somo dreadful
carnage. We Iiitle thought what was in store
Tor our beautiful city. But soon the tale was
told and the destruction complete, or almost
complete. The storm lasted until late in tho
evening Of the 18Th. During its continuance
itaPpcared rs II no humsn being could live
within its reach. The Siamos river was
swollen 10 great bcight, and in its wild,
hendlohs course, carried everything before it.
Houses wcro swept sway like so many
straws and whole blocks Of buildings were
thrown down like so many trees. The wind
vas no less terrible than the water. Houses
were unroofcd and blown 90 Skaters; tiles and
like materials were scattered thr0u yh the air
like chat, and strong trees were uprooted, ns
II they had been corn,staiks. Tho best part
OF. the city 10 totally destroyed" About the
only buildings saved, worthy Of mention, are
the mint, the church, aud tho old Sta.e COL
iege. These stood on high grounds. and this
advantage, with theft. solidity. saved them. 81
The loss OF life has been quito large. Sixty
dead bodies have been picked up. Some of
them were mangied fearftllly, and could scarce
ly be recognized. Many of the bodies were
found miles down tho river UndoubtedIy
the number found viii be largely increased by
other unfortunate ones. I have written yoi
tbeso few lines hurrisdly, but do not attempt
10 describe or explain this most extraordinary
phenomenon OF serenty-two hours whiri-
wind and dcluse. .-S' '-'''f ''' 70 -a ~ " p
The ruined city OF Alamns was the Athens of
North. western Mexico, or, al least had that
reputation. Its women wore repptcd to be
the loyclicst and most intelligent throughout
tbo rcpnbiic, and its citizens wefe highly spo.
ken Of as eontrasted with those Of otbos popa
lations. There wos q great deal of wealth,
feaueuaent and luxury among the better cIas.
Sos. IL was sort Of saHetided Jerasaieni,
where the proud Spanish blood and brain held
ascendancy and would not be poisoned With
| contact with Indian and negro MIXTURE
Alamos, ms city, had fame before the great
metropolis Of Nav York was knowp. 10 is old
among the many old towns Of Mexico, Sur
rounding IL have been some OF the richest
mines In tho world, aud from which tho city
has had its chief support A. the time Of It's
destruction ID contained q population Of about
1900 souls, though geographical dictionaries
place tho number at 10 200, which 10 at least
1900 too many, Unbsppiiy Cor Its people,
the number s lesscned through n terrible
misfortune, and the !" City OF Poplar Grovcs 7"
has fallen 10 the dast (syou as wsa faiis) ia
Hs bttohStn. ~ -. ... o. A.. - 49,,