Yesterday we stopped in the tiny town of New Madrid, pop. 3,200. Its claim to fame is a series of earthquakes in 1812-13 that were the worst in U.S. history. There were four earthquakes rating 8.0 on the Richter scale plus 1,000+ smaller quakes and aftershocks.
Today we dock in Hickman, Kentucky.
Truman campaigned for the Senate from the Courthouse steps.
New Madrid plays an important role in my newest book, “Peter Field Jefferson: Dark Prince of Scottsville & Lost Jeffersons.” As you know, Peter Field was President Thomas Jefferson’s nephew. His wife and cousin, Jane Woodson Lewis, lived very near the epicenter at the time of the big earthquake. Many people who experienced the series of earthquakes felt it was the end of the world and, interestingly, converted to the Methodist Church, including Jane. Some years later, she returned to Virginia where she married Peter Field Jefferson. Just a little trivia while you continue on the river.…
Interesting. The quakes would have been enough to make a Methodist out of me! It’s a good thing the area was so sparsely populated. (The town sells It’s Our Fault t-shirts.)
Well (if you have some access) the theme is obvious eh.
Johnny Kidd & The Pirates – Shakin’ All Over (1960)…
not quite 1812 but back to the early years in rock terms at least.
If I had streaming I’d be back at you with Jerry Lee Lewis.