The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-01-28

he"nb ahu huntinB fcsOrt. III is
body OF water about 40 miles long,
and from l to s miles vide. occupy
ing a portion OF the southwest part
OF the county. extending also into
Tennessee. Its origin Is traced to
the earthquake Of 1911. as may be
inferred from the appearance OF the
timber which still shows. though
much decayed, above the water in
many places. Historians tell su
"it was formed by sand blown out
OF chasm opened by the earth
quake and deposited near the mouth
Of Reelfoot Greek. causing a sudden
damming Of its waters which spread
over the adjacent low land. forming
the lake and deadening all the tim
Der growing along the banks OF the
creek. ], is great resort for all
kinds OF water fowls. lizards. cotton
mouth and other snakes, mosquitoes
and is full OF excellent fish,
"Earth-cracks" varying in width
from 10 TO 20 feet. may be seen in
the bluffs on the Kentucky side Of the
river. These cracks arc bounded
by parallel sides rising from one TO
FIVE feet above the sunken ground
between them. and have trees Of
considerable size growing along
them, and have their ancient origin.
They are supposed to have been
caused by some sudden and power
full convulsion OF nature. In Mis-
sour. near New Madrid. these
cracks are still more remarkable.
In the bluffs along the river have
been found many stone implements.
carved images. human bones. utensils
OF earthen ware, devices, etc, giving
evidence OF an ancien, race OF peo-
pie.
The region OF Reelfoo, Lake is
subject to violent tornadoes that Of
ten do great damage TO property.
1t is thought that the presence Of the
lake is largely responsible for their
origin. "One Of these. which can
not be traced further south, took
place March 10th, 1884, between 9
and 10 a. m, passing by Felicinia,
on the edge OF Graves county, and
within four miles. destroying six or
seven houses, and carrying clothing
distance OF 20 miles" On Christ
mas day. 1875. another destructive
tornado passed over the county from
southwest TO northeast. inAicting
great loss in its wake. "The house
Of Andrew Shuck was struck about l
p. m, and completely demolished.
and severely iniuring his son -in-law
w. M. Bacon. A larg trunk in the
sitting-room was forced open and
the contents scattered far and near.
A contract between TO neighbors
and left in the house for safe keep
ing. was carried to Msyfeld and
afterward returned. A negro wo-
man was killed during this storm
besides a number of people being in
jured."
Earthquakes in this section are
not unfrequent. Beginning about 2
O'Clock in the morning Of December
10th. 1871, occurred one Of the
most remarkable OF these "shakes. B"
Convulsing the whole valley of the
Mississippi and its tributaries. II ex-
pended a large part OF its force in
Fulton county and the adjacent ter
ritory. During the remainder Of
the night above mentioned. some "a
shocks. distinct and violent. occurred.
rending the earth and terrifying the
French fishing crews that were ply
ing their vocation along the river.
These shocks cotinued with decreas,
ed frequency and violence up to
February. 1912. Senator Linn. of
Missouri. describes them as follows !
"Durine the continuance Of this