Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-12-08
A Sterm Without Parallel.

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interesting particulars, from the Paulding
(Miss.) Clarion, of subsequent date, will
be read with avidity. That paper says:
at struck, in its course, the residence of
Josiah Moody, about nine miles west of this
place, where its effects exceeded in horror
anything that the imagination can conceive
or the pen portray The place was swept
as with bosom of destruction; every house
on the premises taken up and scattered in
pieces to the four winds, and what is far
more distressing to relate that Mr.. Moody
himself, and eight other members of his
family were killed, and several more severe
II wounded. Out of fourteen persons on
the place, but one, Mr.. Jackson, the son-in-
law Of MoodHs escaped entirely uninjured.
The storm. came on about O'clock, and
according to the account given by the sur
yiyors, was only a few minutes passing
over; yet it left behind scene of suffering
the like of which those who witnessed it
may hope never to look upon again. When
the wind subsidized, three prersons pesent,
Jackson, who, as we have said, was unin-
jured, one of the young Moodys and a young
man named Turner, slightly injured, were
left able to give the alarm to theneighbor-
hood, and render assistance. A crowd of
the neighbors was soon assembled, who set
about collecting the bodies Of the dead, and
those unable to move for their wounds
Everything was done that kindness and
sympathy could dictate to relieve the suf-
ferings of the wounded, and give decent
burial to the dead. When the bodies of
the latter were brought together, melan-
cholv spectacle was presented Nine man
gled corpses, Of various ages and sizes, from
the gray-haired grandsire down to the ten
der infant, laid out side by side on rpde
boards gathered from the ruins Of their
late happy dwelling, was sight to melt
the heart ofthe beholder. The names ages
Of the deceased are correctly given in the
following list, furnished US by one Of their
neighbors, who examined the family re-
cord:
Josiah Moody, aged 50 James Moody,
aged 20, with his wife, Margaret j., aged
20, and his daughter, Mary E., aged 10
months Elizabeth G. Moody, aged 16
years; Martha A. Moody, IA years; Geo
W +. hOOuI, Q years Autlluc mOOuy, .
years; and Sarah F. Moody, 2 years.
Mr.. Moody was minister of the Meth
odist Protestant Church, and a school
teacher. He was native of South Caro-
lima, but had lived in this State for many
years. He has numerous friends, who viii
deeply regret to learn the tragical fate
which has befallen himself and so many O
his family.
The incidents and circumstances Of this
terrible catastrophe furnish materials fol
a chapter for the horrible, as thrilling a.
any similar narrative to be found in the
press of the day. The dwelling in which
most Of the family were sleeping was new
ly built, Of heavy green logs. These were
carried some to the distance of severa
miles, and others hurled togetherer agains
trees, and broken like pipe stems. The
heavy hewn sills of the house were takef
up and carried off like feathers.
The bodies of the dead were picked W
at various distances and in different direc
tons from the house, every vestige of cloth
ing having been stripped from them by th'
wind, and covered with dirt and mud oc
casioned by the heavy rain. Mrs. Moody
ST., who was severely hurt, and whose re
covery is doubtful, says that she and he
husband heard the roar of the storm h
sprang out Of bed and commenced putting
on his pantaloons. She raised herself anC
was also in the act of stepping on the floor
when a terrible crash came, and she re
members nothing else untilrestored to con
young man Moody, who escaped with moth
ing worse than some severe bruises, va
scarcely conscious of what was happening
until he found himself about fifty yard
down the hill from the house, clinging to
stump.
As soon as he could he started back
and on the way, found ore Of his sisters
whom he took up in bis arms. She mad
several effolts to speak, and when he 60
to the yard she was dead. One Of tn
children was found with the top of its hea
taken off above the eyes, and the brain gon
while the scalp was dangling from tn
| branch of fallen tree. The eldest Mis-
| Moody was found at the foot of an uproot
ed tree, against which she had evldentl
been hurled before it fell, and killed. Th
BODY of James Moody was found lodge'
at considerable heighth from the groun'
among the limbs of fallen tree. Jack
son, the son-in-law, slept in an out-house
and saved himselfby falling down and cling
ing to beam, which somehow happeue'
not to be carried away. The young ma
Turner, employed by Mr.. Moody, escape
in the same manner, with only slight in
jury. The fate Of James Moody, and hi
wife and child, is notable instance Of hoV
/ little we can tell when the most trivial cir
cumstances or actions are to affect our des
tiny. He lived some distance from hi
father, and had come with his little family
on visit to the parental dwelling. Tues
day after dinner, they got ready to leay
for home, but being urged BY the family
reluctantly consented to remain until MOI
row.
/ A number of incidents showing the ez
treme force of the wind, as well as Its slr
gular freaks, were noticed by those VIII
visited the spot. A field from which tn
crop had been gathered, and which ha
grown up in crab grass, quantities OF whlc
were drifted against the stumps and log
as though it had been washed there by
swollen stream. A COW, which must hav
; been one hundred and fifty yards from tn