Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-10-07


by storm without parallel in history.
The historic gale OF 1856, which de-
stroyed Lost Island, while terrific, does
not compare with the last disaster.
On Cheniere Caminda IL reached
climax or horror.
Cheniere is one of that group OF IS
lands which extend along the lower
coast and to which belong Grand Isle,
Tambalier aud Lost Island. 1t was
station for fishing boats. 1t contained
one town, CaminadaYille, OF about 1,SO0
people, the majority fishermen. On
Sunday evening there were l,2OO
dwelling houses within its limits;
to-day twenty-five only remain stand
ing, and OF these not one is uninJured.
Tho very ground upon which they were
built is torn and rent. The pier has
Disappeared; only a heap OF oyster shells
mark the spot where IL stood. As one
advanced the foot sank into slime
that covered the paths. This was the
relic of the seas which hay not for
many years covered the Island. Canaan
idaville was renowned for its luxuriant
shade trees and lovely gardens. Not a
leaf remains upon the branches, and
the trees, for the most part, are pros
trated upon the earth. Paths have
been obliterated and the reporter was
obliged to scramble through the bushes
mounting the accumulated rubbish
from ruined homes. Fields had former
ly existed in considerable number along
this portion OF the front, but they had
been blotted out from the face OF the
landscape. The plants almost without
exception had been blown from the
beds, and those which the gale had
spared were dead and yellow. The peo-
pie who came went in parties OF two
and three passed silently or stopped a
moment to shake hands and mutter a
few words OF cobdolence. 1t was no
unusual thing to see the great rugged
fisherman, bronzed and hardened by a
life of almost constant exposure, en-
brace each other in tears. All had
shared in the losses OF the storm,
fathers and mothers are burYIng their
sons and daughters, and children their
dead parents.
As many as ten people are placed in
one grave. Hundreds Of bodies are
still unburied. Some are under the
wrecked buildings, others are floating
on the bay of Caminsda. The brave
little band Of grave dlggers are e1-
hauStsd. They have already buried in
the rude graves on the island $50 per-
sons and their work is not yet done.
A ten-year-old son helped to bury his
aged father and his elder sister In the
same grave. There was no weeping
even for father or brother. The gloom
and horror of the situation was too aw-
full for tears.
In the house Of Mr.. L. Terrebonne,
the grave diggers found his body and
that Of his wife and six children. The
body of the husband and father was
living on the kitchen floor. 1t was
buried about fifty yards from the
wreck. The party went TO the front OF
the house and there found Mrs. Terre-
bonne's body. Clinging in her arms was
a babe. Near where the mother was
found were five OF the other children.
In the rear Of the island, hundreds OF
little mounds marked the resting places
OF those who were killed in the terri
bio storm. There were many other
burial parties. Men, women and
children Joined IN the search
for the dead. With poles and hooks and
ropes they drew the corpses through
the water or dragged them from the
debris that strewS the land, and buried
them.
In Nine. Durio's house were found
fully forty bodies, all manglod In some
manner, and could not be identified.
They were buried ten and fifteen In a
grave.
All the members OF the Plsani family
except two were killed. Arthur Pisani,
Leo Paul, their wives and children with
numerous cousins, aunts and other reIa-
tives were all drowned in the home
stead of the family. This family con-
sisted Of twenty-five people. The bodies
were dragged out and were buried In
the west centre Of the island In three
graves.
Hundreds of bodies have been found
since Monday morning and they are
buried without prayer, and the chill
ing wind signing through the leatless
trees over their unmarked graves Is the
only dirge for the deal.
Ut..or.-ta. Of a RalIaf RORt