The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-28
GREAT STORM IN FLORIDA.

BY an extra of the Tallahassee Star we have re-
ceived the following particulars of destructive storm
that occurred at Port Leon on the night of the 18th
instant:
Tremendous .Storm-Horrible loss of life and
property Destruction Of Port Leon, 81.
Marks and the Light House.
ComMERcrAL GAZETTE OFFICE,
PoRr LEON, Friday, Sept. 15 1913.
Our city is in ruins We have been visited by
of the most horrible storms that it before devov
ed upon us to chronicle. On Wednesday about ele-
ven O'Clock, a. m the wind commenced blowing
fresh from the Southeast bringing up high tide, but
nothing alarming-at 5 p m. the wind ued and tide
fell the weather still continuing lowery. AT eleven
at night the wind ireshened, and tide commenced
flowing, and by 9 oc ock it blew perfect hurricane
| and the whole town inundated The gale con-
tinued with undated violence until O'clock the wa
ter making perfect breach ten feet deep
town. The wind suddenly lulled for few minutes,
and then came from the Southwest with redoubled
violence and blew till daylight Every warehouse in
the town was laid fiat with the ground except one
Messrs. Hamlin & Snells-and a part of that also
fell Nearly every dwelling thrown from its
foundation, and many of them crushed to atoms
The loss OF property is immense. Every inhabitant
participated in the loss less. None have
caped-many with only the clothes they stand in.
st. Marks suffered in the ] Ike proportion with
selves. But our losses are nothing compared with
light house gone-and dreadful to relate fourteen Gres
lost and among them some of most valued citi-
zens. We cspnot attempt to estimate the loss OF
each indvduafnt this time, but shall reserve it until
our feelings-wnl better enable to investigate it.
Below we give list ofthose drowned, so far heard
from:
At Port Leon-A crazy negro boy belonging 10
Tallahassee.
At the Light Ho,Se.-Captain Nj. C. Robertson, his
wife, and three Children and child of DR.. Trade
wells.
Mr.. Joseph Wood, portrait painter from ITALIA
hassee.
child Of h. " Buins, and five negroes
Those saved are Captain Hungerford, his wife and
two children, Dr. Tradewel's youngest child Messrs
Oglesbee Blethen and Kennedy, pilots, and five ne
groes.
Our citizens are now out, looking for any that may
have escaped and bring the bodies of those that may
be found. Such total destruction Of property ne
yer has occurred in our place.
Our loss is estimated at $3.50 600.
In addition to the above, we have learned that the
family of Mr. Edward Walker living on Shell Pc Mt
wife, children and five six negroes, all persisted
Mr.. Walker himself escaped by cinging TO the bran
ches of tree, till the waters subsidized.
1t is also stated that there several other per-
sons living at this point, who have not been heard
from, and of whose safety great doubts are enter
tanned.
There also several families from this county,
in summer quarters James Island on whose ac-
count much anxiety is felt. Indeed such was the vio-
lence Of the winds and the height to which the tide
rose, that our Imagination scarcely fix limits 20
its ravages
Cedar Keys, Apaachicoa, St Joseph, can scarce
ly have escaped without much damage