The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-05-22

l. ".
James Grant, Union.
The Recont Terrible Tornado in
Georgetown Distrfct-FuI Pnrticu-
lars.
Our District, on Thursday last,
was visited by one of the most terrific
tornadoes known to the memory of
our Oldest citizens, and for the scope
of country involved, challenges the
gale of 1922. A large black cloud
was seen moving from West to East,
and much wind accompanied lis
transit as felt in the town, but the
violence with which it ragged and the
destruction of property and loss of
lives is really appalling. For more
detailed account we are indebted to
NJ. 81. l.. Perrin for the accompanying
notes, which he has given us currente
calamo, during visit to the Pee
Dee country shortly after this "visi-
tation of the winds" Mr.. Perrin
says:
On visiting the scene of the tornado
on the Pee Dee and Waccamaw
Rivers, and the country between, +
learned the following particulars:
On my way up, on Friday morning,
I met DIR. Sparkman, who told me
that at about half-past 2 o'clock on
Thursday afternoon, (the wind blow
ing pretty fresh for an hour previous
as he was sitting in his study read
ing, his attention was drawn to q
peculiar Kissing and rumbling noise,
and, on going to his window, he
saw column of what he supposed
to be heavy black smoke, and thought
that some building in the vicinity of
Birdfield was on fire; but in mo-
ment it appeared to whirl for an in
stant, and then started with lightning
speed toward the Pee Dee. Having
thanked him for his information, I
proceeded on my way and reached
Mr.. F. w. Macusker's plantation,
"Birdfeld." Upon coming to the
avenue entrance, we found it COM
pletely choked up with fence rails
and fallen trees, but by a circuitous
route I reached the place. There
the scene was terrible and required
one to be an eyewitness to realize
the great force of the gale. Every
thing in the shape of fence leveled,
and about eleven houses, barns, etore-
house, cow-shed and the other out
buildings, one total wreck. But the
trees! they were indeed O sight;
about fifty in the vicinity of the
house were torn from the ground like
straws and thrown in all directions,
some of them immense live oaks,
varying from eight to fifteen feet in
circumference, carried yards from
their position. The ground was
literally covered with boughs, shin
giles, bricks and fence rails. No lives
lost here, although the escapes were
numerous enough, as number had
not time to gain shelter, and were
thrown about like feathers and re-
ceived more or lesss bruises. From
here L went to DIR. Fishburne's plan
tation, Enfield and from my late
experience I was prepared to see a
general tear up, Us this place was in
more direct line of the gale; but
did not expect to witness such a gene
raj destruction. It is impossible to
describe it, unless we say that with
the exception of the dwelling house
and fifteen other houses, the place is
ere 2i.ss of ruins. Tnirty-one
houses of all descriptions and sizes
seventeen of them substantial me-
gro houses-completely demolished; :;
about fifty trees, generally large live
oaks, from ten to twenty feet in cir
cnmference, torn up and scattered in
all directions. There were two wo-
men killed instantly in the centre of
field, and some forty others wound
ed, seven very seriously. Dr. Fish
burne's avenue (which I believe had
been handsome one) had the ap-
pearance of Western clearing up"
done in q hurry. Upon hearing the
first Kissing noise of the approach of
the gale, Mrs. Fishburne stepped TO
a window to close the sash, but as
she Low cred it, it was dashed to
pieces. The wagon and carriage.