The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-26
From the Grenada (Ni) Chronicle, May 8.
TORNADO


1t is our melancholy duty to record the most sw-
ful catastrophe we witnessed, and in doing 30,
we cannot but shudder to think how sensbly the
truth Of the phrase, le is uncertain has been felt
by US. Thousands, perhaps, who in the morning
arose with all the bloom Of health on their cheeks
have been ere the sunset numbered among the
dead.
On yesterday Thursday morning, heavy rain
ushered in the day; but about 10 o'clock the rain
ceased, and the shone forth in all its vented
spendor, as II to forete that beautiful day was to
follow, and happy were we to See this. The sun
was doomed to shine but . short tine, as heavy
clouds again overspread the Permanent and thicken-
ed every moment abou, 3 o'clock they arrived a,
their climax, and naught Of that lovely day we hal
anticipated four hours before was to be seem The
clouds continued to grow thicker and darker, and
about II o'clock, the heavens became no den,ely
dark that small article scarcely perceptible at
little distance. The cloud throughout was accom-.
panied with heavy wind, which howled around
the houses creating most hideous and threatening
noise. and leveling the young shrubbcry with the
ground But this is naught to what followed
About 3 O'Clock, dreadful cloud of smoke, dust,
and rent timber betokened the approach of most
awful tornado. IL came, and in its train bro,iob,
ruin and desolation. Houses and groves, which
but yesterday morning were the pride and beauty Of
the town, were now invisible, in atoms scattered
here and there over the face Of the country That
noble edfce, the Baptist church, which Yesterday
morning stood an ornament OF the denomination to
which it belonged, is a heap Of runs. Every
house within the sweep of the hurricane was
laid low. But were this all, we should have less
cause to mourn.
Amid general confusion, the groans Of the diving
and the wofu and heart-rendng lamentations Of the
living, the storm left to pursue its march of de-
vastation through the country.
An equally dreadful and ruinous storm it has
never been sad misfortune to witness or our
painful duty to record and the thought Of it, pas
though it be, and the danger rises in our mind
the cold sweat gushes from our brow, and a mental
prayer of thanks to our God fills our bosom to
bursting.
Below we give list as far as ascertained of the
dead, wounded, &c. 1t cannot be reckoned an &C.
curate and full statement, owing to the haste in
which 1t was sbtaned; but those put down as killed
publish correct list, &c next week.
KILLED--James Whitsett, son of DR.. 8. Whit
sett; two children Of D. Rosser ono daughter of J.
Snyder; one son Of R. Coffman; Mrs. Plummer; a
son Of Mr. Kirwin; Mrs. Robinson, wife Of d.
Robinson and his father; ono son of ]. A. William.
son, Baughn and child VIM. Eubanks; one son of
Rev. Mr.. Boswell; Henry Allen, son of Mrs Al
len; two negroes belonging to DR.. Purnel; four
negroes belonging to s. Caldwell, two or three be-
longing to J. Balfour.
WouNDED.-A daughter of D. Rosser, a son of
X. Coffman; son Of J. A. Williamson; two child
rem Of Mr. Hill, son of J. Melton; Mrs. Baughn;
two sons Of VIM. Lake; Joseph, a son Of b. Will
liams, ST.; son OF DR.. Edmunds; child Of the late
DR.. Payne, a child Of Mr.. Eubanks; Mrs. Land
lady of T. s. Land, esq; J. M. SampIe Marion,
son Of A. 8. Brown; Richard Armstrong, Mrs
Nelson, John Mitchell, and James Holder.