The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1898-08-20
ABBEYILLE, LOUISIANA, SATURDAY, AUGUST 20. 1898.
FORTY SECOND ANNIVERSARY

anniversary of an event the mention
OF which sends thrill over the list
ner. It was the memorable 10th of
August 1856 that this section was
swept by terrible storm. In this
parish there was no loss of life, but
many houses were blown fat. Among
them being the present Veranda Ho-
tel and a large two story store build
ing which stood on the corner now
occupied by the Wall House.
Wednesday was a solemn remind
er Of that awful occasion, the de-.
struction of Last Island. The clouds
lowered threateningly all morning,
and about IL o'clock while the gen
tie rain began to fall and in short
while it came down in torrents. There
was no wind, fortunately, but the
awful flood poured down without
cessation until everything was literal
" aaoat. The streets were overflow
ed, Madeleine Square was a small
lake and in the big drainage ditch
an angry current seethed and foamed
as it ran bayouWard. The total rain
fall was nearly 1-2 inches and the
weather was a fitting reminder of the
Last Island storm.
Appropriate to the subject we re-
produce the following from the
Franklin Vindicator-News:
Previous to that time, there stood
overlooking the gulf one Of the hand
soonest hotels in the south the place
was dotted with fine residences and
elegant cottages livery stables, stores
bakeries, in fact a well regulated VII
lage covered its surface. There were
dancing-halls and gambling houses
in rich profusion. During the sum
mer months the wealthy and their
families would lazily while away the
long hours Of the sultry days in idle
fancy, or indulge in those nervous
pleasures usually born of carelessness
and ease. 1t was the home OF the
trickster, the paradise of the gambler,
the Mecca of the lihertine, and the
abiding place of those who had more
money than good judgment. We do
not say that no good people went
there hundreds OF the best in the
South visited the place every year
but the predominating population
other sentiments with their
desires for health, rest and recreation.
A daily line Of steamers operated be-
tween the place and the ouside world,
carrying there and away hundreds of
people each trip. But the end came,
and it was terrible one too. After
many nights of debauchery, SO it is
said by the older people, a large pro-
portion of the visitors repaired to the
iancing-hall, on Sunday, August 10,
and while the admirers Of Terpsi-
ehore were chasing their shadows |, /
Is others were humping the worries,
5he sunlight faded, the Heavens grew
lark, the thnnders rolled and the
ightnings flashed !; suddenly the wind |
blew. the ocean sWelled as if to kiss /
he Southern sky, the waves rolled,
ind beneath the troubled waters, went
lown every building, leaving nothing
1ut sad scene of destruction in its
wake. When the storm was at its
highest point, Captain Abe Smith
,ast anchor in Village Bayou, with
lis little steamer Star. 7 When the
gallant craft swung around to face
he wind, her cabin was swept away,
md the cries Of men, women and
.hildren filed the air as they. were
icing carried away on the surface of
he restless waters. The gallant old
ZERO tied a rope to his waist and
,rayed the storm. As the human
,eings were being hurled out to sea,
Il who came within reach were
aught and stored away in the hull
+ the Star. Three hundred were
bus saved and taken to shore, while
many perished by falling timbers,
ONE were beaten to death by debris,
nd scores Of others we're drowned.
After the terrible affair pirates
warmed the sea. Dead bodies were /
ohhel Of money and iewelely men = ! ]