The New Madrid Earthquake. — Broadhead. 
87 
1. Tremendous destruction of town, oscillation of buildings and 
grinding against each other, walls split and begin to yield ; chimneys, 
parapets and gables break and topple to the groun^^, 
2. Less violent, but verj^ severe. 
3. Moderate but generally alarming. 
4. Perceptible to those who are still. 
5. Not described. 
6. Although often causing a strange sensation, sometimes giddi- 
ness, only perceptible by vibrations. jNIr. Brooks gives following table : 
End of each 
week 
1 
3 
^ 
3 
* 
5 
6 
Total 
December 22 
2 
3 
1 
12 
66 
87 
29 

U 


6 
150 
156 
January 5 

1 
2 
9 
3 
119 
134 
12 
u 
1 

10 

150 
161 
19 



4- 
6 
55 
65 
" 26 
1 
1 
7 
2 
2 
78 
91 
February 2 
1 

4 
6 
( 
191 
209 
9 
3 

7 

15 
140 
175 
. " 16 


3 
6 
22 
65 
86 
23 


4 
6 
4 
278 
292 
March 1 


1 
4 
8 
126 
139 
8 


2 
9 
8 
39 
58 
" 15 

8 

10 
2 
35 
3 
65 
6 
210 
221 
Total 
89 
1667 
1874 
In the History oi ]\Iissotiri, by Lncien Carr, in the Com- 
monwealth series, we find an interesting accoimt of the New 
]\fadrid region. Carr states during the winter of 18 12 and 
1813 the people lived out in tents, being afraid to stay in 
their houses, also that trees were felled in many places at right 
angles to the chasms, to which they went whenever a shock 
was felt. Congress was appealed to and passed an act giving 
other lands to those who had lost by the earthquake. But 
it proved to be of little benefit to the needy, for most of them 
sold out their claims at a small figure which is said to have 
averaged less than ten cents an acre. Out of 516 certificates 
issued, only twenty were located by the original claimants. 
Others made false oaths, and 142 false claims were confirmed. 
Congress afterwards passed an act granting all outlots and 
lands adjoining the towns in the earthquake region should be 
given to said villages for the support of their schools. 
