The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1871-10-05
Startling Phenomena in Florida!

Startllng FnenoMena IN Florloa
We find in the Savannah Republican Of
September 10th the following:
The last Palatka Herald has a letter
from Orange comfy, Florida, containing a
thrilling narrative of the sinking ola good
portion Of Orange county and the fOrma-
tion Of q lake where it once stood. After
relating the experience Of one man, he
goes to another, whose account is as fol-.
lows:
More and more wonderful, Mr.. Alex.
X. Foster has just come in with more mar
velous aud startling reports. lie says that
on his way from Orlando to Millonvillc,
after crossing Fort Metlin branch, he left
the road to avoid the constant begging to
which he was subjected, The safest place
he thought would be on the crown Of a
high black jack ridge, running parallel
with the road, which he accordingly took.
After riding perhaps a mile, his horse
commenced begging, and for some distance
it was questionable whether he could get
through; he however, reached the more
solid footing; again he commenced begging
a: this time be noticed remarkable and
portcntlous sounds in the rear. The bog
giug grew worse as ho progressed until ho
had to dismount; there seemed no escape
for him; both be and bis horse we're still
begging. The sounds in bis rear increas-
cd more and more, and became more and
more alarming, and the route in front
more boggy He dare not stop, as this
would have rendered it impossible to have
extrcated himself. He neither dare nor
could look behind him; bis whole thought
and aim was to reach terra frma. At
last, after the most superhuman ezcrtions,
both he and bis horse exhausted to the most
extreme degree, reached solid ground
Turning to examine into the cause of the
fearful sounds in his rear, he saw the most
terrific and appalling sights it has ever
been my fate to listen to. The first thing
that attracted attention was that the trees
were moving, first giratory motion Of the
top, then some sinking gradually out of
sight, the tops revolving more and more
rapidly qs it sunk and disappeared, others
following, and as they fell revolving aud
describing areas Of circle against the sky.
Then the.wholessrth, .as far -ns the eye eye
couldseach, sinking, and its place suppl.
ed by,a sea Of water, rushing, seething,
boiling with the noise Of mighty cataracts,
and ever and anon casting to the surface
the roots, tops or bodies Of mighty pines
and oaks.
If I could only tell it to you in the Ian
guage Of the awe stricken witness It
must have been beyond comparison the
most fearfully-appalliug and awe-inspiring
sight ever witnessed. The horse and man
now lie painting at the memory Of the hor.
rors they have so miraculously escaped.
AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER.
People are rushing from the scene of
disaster. Our camp is crowded with the
terror stricken inhabitants from the coun.
try in our rear. Everybody is waiting the
forebodings and horrible expectations.
They believe the day of judgment has
come. This extraordinary phenomena ap.
pears more and more extraordinary. The
country from two to three miles from here
to Lake Mclin is entirely submerged, aud
is now one vast lake. Nothing authorita.
tive from beyond, though rumors are rife
that Orlando is swallowed up, and the
whole chain Of lakes to Conway are now
united and form an immense inland sea-
We leave Immediately and in terror for
our own fate.
In haste. yours,
A. Z. STURGES.
AporKA, FLORIDA.