Yes, I know that the subject seems to be off topic, but over many years of working on historical projects, I find that the folks who populate this forum, in general, are more widely read than the participants on other closely-, or not-so-closely-related forums covering the same general place and time. In fact, if I glance over at a library shelf, I can see upwards of $300 in book purchases that I made directly or indirectly because of thoughts and materials shared here.

The reason for this request for help is that a good portion of my life and interest in history happens to extend from growing up in Missouri to living several times in Japan. As the images of the recent quake and tsunami rush past our screens, and as I check to see what friends and relations in Japan are having what sorts of experiences, with and out of all due respect, I find myself wishing I really had a more in depth understanding of what the people experienced during that similarly-unthinkably-powerful quake two hundred years ago in Missouri.

None of my books gives the subject much more than the customary three sentences, and I am hoping that some of you will have some recommendations. The Wikipedia page [got to send those guys some sort of contribution, how did we ever live without them] has some good references, and there is one description of an eyewitness by a chap who wrote his "Travels in the Interior of America". First, if anyone can comment, at first hand, on whether or not that is a book one ought to track down on Alibris, that would be appreciated. Second, I know that there are small presses operated out of and focused on Southeast Missouri that are not usually found in the bibliographies of 'the established press'. Does anyone have any good, local histories that cover the facts and the personal effects of the quake?

Thanks for your consideration. If, at the end of the day, you want to declare this 'out of bounds', no problem, just erase it.