Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-03-03
GREAT TORNADO ON THE QUA
CHITA.

The Onachita Telegraph Of the 9TH gives rs
the following account Of the progress Of the
tornado, which passed over Vieksburg and
reached the Ouachita on the ID ult.
The track ofthe hurricane had been traced
10 Castor Postofiice, some twenty-eight or
thirty miles southwest Ofthis. At that point
the destruction was general and appalling.
Rlnitt Buffers residence, in which twenty
four persons had taken shelter, was leveled
with the ground, but no one, strange TO say,
was seriously injured. Other buildings, in
cIuding Mrs. Ellis residence, were also de-
stroyed. but 80 far but one death has been re-
poried. that Of a son of Mr.. Floyd Mitchell.
From Castor, beyond which point no IN
formation has reached us Gifts terrible work,
the hurricane directed its course toward the
Ouachita river, which it first reached at
Port Jackson; hence It's track was along the
river swamp. from one side 10 the other Of
the river. as according with the mysterious
influences which engendered and then di
recled il. Mr.. Bryan's place was very
nearly ruined cabins, fences, and almost
every thing that offered any resistance, being
sgent away. Mrs. Faux was almost as
Great sufferer, the wind not leaving even
the fence-worm in its bed. Her Clubhouse
WAS ruined. az also her cribs, stables, etc
Somewhere near this point the storm left
the river bearing toward Boeuf river, in
which quarter, weeXpect to hear, It's raYages
were continued.
Large pine limbs, recognized as belonging
10 the Longtime, were picked mp nearly
a score of miles from such growth. Mr.
WYNN, living fourteen miles east OF thls,
picked up on his premises, where there had
been only a light wind, sap pine over
foot wide, which must have been carried not
less than seven miles, no pine timber being
nearer 10 his place. The water was lifted in
large volume from the bed Of the river at
Bryan's place, below here, and poured along
the earth, leaving il as though theriver itself
had been running there.
The hurricane presented in its progress the
appearance Of a vast volume Of black smoke
or yapor, whirling over and over with incon-
ceiyable velocity, but in its onward progress
moving no faster than horse would in an
ordinary gallop. Every thing, trees and
small shrub alike, bent before it, and houses
and other obstacles were literally swept from
their places. The noise Of wind and falling
timber is compared, by participant in the
battle of Gettysburg, 10 the unearthly com
motion and din of that memorable field. la
breadth. the storm extended its rayages hall
Il mile.
The roaring of the hurricane was distinctly
heard here, distance Of fourteen miles on a
straight line. The appearance Of the sky IN
that quarter at the time was remark able
heavy masses Of black clouds hanging mid
air. dotted here and there with bright spots
and streaks Of reflected sunlight. Soon alter
noticing these indications there was fall OF
hail here and in the vicinity, the hail-stones
being Of various sizes and peculiar Jagged
or half finished appearance.
The Rev. Mr. Clampitt, of Bienvill, informs
us that on the same day as that mentioned
above, 10 wit: last Friday, hurricane SINH
lar 10 the one alresdy noticed, only itpossible
more destructive, swept through that parish
from southwest 20 northeast, having a
breadth Of one mile and a direction almost
parallel 10 the one which struck this and
Jackson parish, and occurring, the two, sim
ultaneous John Brice's premises and many
others are in utter ruins. One poor widow,
seeing the dark and whirling mass approach
inc. had time only 60 gather her four little
children aud crouch down in vacant corner
of her house. when the furious whirlWind
came up and demolished her buildings As
il 10 show His care and mercy, even in the
bowling tempest, God protected the widow
and her offspring, the place where they
nestled being the only spot where destruction
and ruin were not visible! Our informent
relates that in some places the earth was
plowed up by the storm, and he stated,
incredible as it may sound, that sheep were
found headless after the storm, their heads
havinglbeen wrung of, apparently, by the
wind in its irresistible fury.