Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-02-01
The Great Storm.
It's Friyhgaz Fork at Gaze city, Kenuchy-
Rovid Details.

The Cour;er-.1ournaTs Cave City (Ken~
tucky) special gives the following particulars
of the storm in that vicinity:
CAVE CRY, January IA tornado
struck the southern portion of this town (ou
the Louisville and Nashville railroad, eighty
five miles from Lousville) this morning at
rlctely destroyed, and not less than five huns
drcd persons were rendered homeless and
destitute of clothing and food It all oc-
CURED in less than two minutes. The moon
went down before day, and, the darkness was
intense. The houses were literally torn to
splinters, not even whole shingle being left.
Some were carried away and scattered to the
winds, and others crushed upon their founda-
tions.
George Poynter was blown at least three
hundred yards.
r. 3. Hunter and VIM. Duncan each were
blown fifty yards. but not badly hurt
George Poyntcr's child had fragment of
timber blown through its body.
The names ofsthe killed and wounded, as
far as learned have already been sent
The tobacco barn of G.. T. Middleton, con-
tairing ten thousand dollars worth of tobacco,
was blown to fragments, and large quantities
OF the tobacco were found three or four miles
from the site OF the barn.
The handsome Union church, belon ging to
oil the denominations, we'll furnished and the
only house of public worship in the place, was
torn to spiinters.
The building known as the Masonic Lodge
and College is total loss.
Two thirds of the families residing in the
place are made homeless and destitute of food
and clothing. Considering that Sc many per-
tbo g bo - ;e
astonishing that so few were killed or hurt
Those who survived tho storm and have re-
viewed the sceno Of devastation say that it
seems Incredible that anything could live
within its reach.
The storm king undulnted and grated. at
times jumping over houses and again outside
of its course. snatching house or barn from
its foundation, playtully tossing it into the
winds, and then resuming its course. A
piano is now lying in the public road half
buried in tile mud. Clothing torn to shreds
and furniture to splnters are scattered in
cry direction The surfOcc of a large pond
near the place is covered with the debris.
consisting of fragments Of all kinds of goods
end furniture.
In many instances the clothing was liter
ally torn from persons. and yet they received
no serious injuries. Rev. J 3. Grubbs, of the
Christian church, resident of Eminence,
Kentucky, and well known in louisville. who
has been conducting protrncted meeting
here, was hurt, it was thought dangerously,
but his injuries, though serious, are not SO
b;d as first supposed.
Three hundred to five hundred people need
wearing and bed clothing and provisions at
once. Let the Louisville ladies attend to
this promptly. The physicians here. Drs.
Williams, Hatcher, and Garnet, and two
from Glasgow and three from Horse Cave,
have had a busy day and more than they
could do to attend to the suffering, the de-
mands being immediate, but they will get
along now without help.
No efforts have been spared by the citizens
to give relief. All houses were thrown open
ard all comfort freely offered to the suffering.
The southern portion of the town. far
north as Middlcton's old house. was torn down
The storm came from the Southwest. and, af-
ter passing Cave City, took an eastern course
and became lighter and less destructive.
IIardyvilc fourteen miles cast Of this, is
reported to have been completely destroyed,
but the reports are conflicting. The place
was probably not seriously damaged. The
first damage done was ten miles southwest of
this. Mt Birds schoolhouse. three miles south
of Glasgow Junction. The storm followed
close to the railroad, keeping on the south,
touching it only at one point before reaching
Cave City. The track of the tornado was
half mile wide. From the starting point
and to some distance cast of this place hardly
q house was left standing.
Prewitt's Knob, little place two miles
west Of here. was completely destroyed the
old tavern house being the only house left
standing. John MCGOWAN and his eldest
daughter were killed, Mrs. MCGOWAN was
badly injured Mr.. Fites and child also at
that place were killed, and several persons
badly injured. Mr.. Downer's stable at the
same place was destroyed, and large number
Of fine horses and mules were killed. Dow
ner & Williams nursery aud orchard was to-
tally destroyed.
DR.. j. Wibon. twelve miles west of Prewitt's
Knob, was badly wounded, and his wife is
supposed to be badly wounded. These are all
of the most serious casualties which occurred
before reaching here.
Henry Brown, who resides one mile west
of this place, will probably die