The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-02-27
For the Farmer and Mechanic.
The Wreck at Rocktngham.--Re-
port Of an Eyewitness.

Our section was stricken with the
most appalling calamity that ever visit
ed this favored portion of the State,iast
Tuesday night. The sunset OF Tuesday
evening was one of those beautiful red
tinted ones that have delighted our eyes
so often and we heard it suggested
that they were the fore-runners OF some
terrible catastrophe. If this theory be
correct how truthtully has 1t been fulfill
ed. AT s O'Clock the skies presented a
very remarkable appearance, everything
in some places being obscured by clouds
of Egyptian blackness, and i'll others
were light flmy vapors through which
could be seen streaks of reddish light.
Very soon the whole western sky
was Illuminated by the most vivid sheet
and chain of lightning, the intervals Of
darkness being so few that portions OF
the heavens were in an almost constant
glow.
Between 9 and 10 o'clock the storm
broke with all its fury, and the most
fearful deaGening roar as OF the rush Of
many waters was heard. The first
thing the writer heard the following
morning "wednesday WAS a dreadful
tale OF death and destruction at ''Phila-
delphia,' a village of 20 or % houses,
owned almost exclusively by colored
people. and situated about two miles
from Rockingham. y visit to the place
revealed that the reported ruin did not
convey one-tenth of the awful reality.
Language fails TO give any adequate
description. The village before the
storm presented every evidence that its
inhabitants were Woodworking anC
thrifty, and their prospects seemed
bright and promising. Each house hac
several acres of very good land which
was well worked. In one short hour
this fourishing settlement was IN ruins
every house a complete wreck, ever,
tree torn up by the roots and hurleC
away. and nothing left to mark the spo
but ruins. The whole face of the eartl
within a radius of about a mile wa
covered with the debris. Dead bodie
of men, women and children were foun'
sometimes as far as so yards from thei
houses, and in almost every ~concelyabl
position. Noticeable among these wer
the bodies oe a mother with a child i
her arms. both horribly mangled, an
another woman hurled with such fur
against the ground as to half bury he
head. Strange to say in the midst c
all this storm some few escaped will
out a scratch, and others with onl
slight wounds.
1t tore down a mill in its path, carr
ing the mill stones about so yards.
very heavy anvil in a blacksmith she
near the mill was blown p yards, xii
inc a hog in its flight. Some 5 or
} houses in the vicinity Of Philadelphia;
inhabited by whites, were totally d
stroyed and nearly all the inmate
l wounded and tour killed.
, All Wednesday morning wagons al
: buggies were kept busy going betwee
{ the scene of devastation and this pla'
bringing the dead aud wounded to Il
) court house. where temporary provislC
= was made for them by a relief comm
!, tee. composed of our most promlne
citizens. The court house soon pl
scented the appearance OF a hospital, a
: all the doctors gave their undivided
:. tention for the two succeeding days
the sufferers. and the ladies of the pla
:, ministered to their need as only ladI
:. can. Thursday morning nine OF t
!; killed were buried in the colOred cen
terry of this place al n time.
!, Our citizens were very prompt a
Is generous in responding TO the call
pecuniary aid, and in this they ha
n been nobiy assisted by Col. j. NJ. Il,
at inson. who telegraphed a contributl
Q. of 800.
i So far as heard from the number
deaths add up 20, of whom II were c
N ored and 6 white. The wounded nu
her some 80 or more. HOMO