The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1886-11-06
We clip the following from the
Plauuemines Observer:
From Grand Prairie.
Editor OBSERVER

knowledsed to have been the most sc
we're that has taken place in the mem
orv of the oldest residents. Even those
who We're living here in 1860 call TINS
s:the worst they ever knew
AS Vet no estimate can be made q
the loss of property. As The Water re
cedes it is only to disclose more and
moro of the utter devastation that iia-
befallen us.
Early in the morning of the llth.
there was salt water visible III the ir>
fields, and about noon. the wind com
meDced to Use. but until ,lire O'Clock
no one a%pprehended ANY danger. llr
water reached the houses. Il the WING
blowing East by Southeast, was so
heavy that it made travel difficult.
From that on the water rose with great
,apidity. by five o'clock it measured
tour 10 six feet in the fields and was
running over the road. By seven
o'clock the road was impossible except
in skifs, and the water was pouring IN
to the houses. aud before ten, it had
crossed the ievee ut every point and
Joined the liver. which had meantime
risen as though to extend to it i wei
coming hand.
By this time all who could do so had
left their houses. Many took reinSe
in the hoat sheds belonging to Nests.
Valerie Zuvich and Thomas Ayhnle.
who Lot only extended this hospitality
out also placed their lnsgers at the sci
vice If their unfortunate %neighbors
should the sheds become unsafe.
The greatest credit is due to those
gentlemen. who, seen1i?g'y unmindfui
of their OWL heavy losses. were untlr
ing in their efforts to render assistance
TO all whom they eonii reach. They
Lad three >kitfs constantly on the road
removing people and household goods
from the ve,1owed buildings. ii thu
work they We're ably seconded b. TIL
gentlemen connected with tie boat
house, aud others. notably Nj. Pau
Columbus.
The wind changed towards Tic south
Just before midnight, and the w",vr be
hours before it was oft the road. 1t is
reported as high as ten feet IN the fields
and from four to six feet in the road.
Those who will safer the most heav
lily are. of course. the rice planters.
Much of the rice wa. not in batteries.
aud is st:ewned over tie surrounding
country. Some was carried across the
river and landed Oh the opposite shore,
Even what was in batteries is very
much damaged by the salt water. anu
much labor and expense will be nece>
sary to dry and restack it. Every
where one sees rice. Acres OF ground
are covered to the depth of three are
four feet with 4 mating of rice and
sea grass. The roads are in many
places completely blocked 10y it. Fen
ces are destroyed tees %up-rooted. and
such vegetation aSirmainS. Is thorough
II sGitcd. The stock IN the whole GOT
off well. Some Of the horses and hogs
swan the river.
~
Thus far oui. Smal! animals and poul
tly are reported dlo"ned. The dam
age to houses aud furniture, though
considerable is nothing 10y comparison
to tbs loss OF planters.
In one Seu>e, the worst disaster Of
ali is the destruction u! the ityees. ,
With the exception OF a few hundred
feet here and there they ale al gone.
What remains has been :rampled over
By cattle until it i so liddlel with :
holes tIata very Slight prcSsuie would
carry it away. Shonlt the ,iyet lise
before tie !ete,< ale reraised. Giand
Prairie is doomed.
In any event it Will take months To
regain the position We held three day.
ago.
y RESIDENT.
A good style IS a great virtue in a
writer but too man American auth
srs and editor. a,e given. to-day. to