The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-09-28
Startling Phenomena in Florida.

The last Palatka Herald has letter from
Orange County, Fla, containing. thrilling
narrative of the sinking of a. good portion OF
that County and the formation OF lake where
it once stood. After relating the experience OF
one man, he goes to another, whose account Is
as follows:
More and more wonderful. Mr.. Alex. A.
Foster has just come in with more marvellous
and startling reports. He says that on his way
from Orlando to Millonville, after crossing
Fort Metlin branch, he left the road to avoid
the constant begging to which he was subjec-
ted The safest place he thought would be on
the crown of high black jack ridge, running
parallel with the road, which he accordingly
took. After riding perhaps mile, his horse
commenced begging, and for some distance it
was questionable whether he could get through;
he, however, reached more solid footing; again
he commenced begging; at this time ne no
ticed remarkable portentous sounds In MS rear.
The begging now grew worse as be progressed,
until he had to dismount; there seemed no es.
cape for him, both he and his horse were still
begging. The sounds in his rear increased
more and more, and became more and more
alarming and the route in front more boggyI,
he dared not stop, as this would have rendered
it impossible to have extricated himseh.he
neither dared nor could look behind him, his
At last, after the most superhuman exertlons,
both he and his horse exhausted to the most
extreme degree, he reached the solid ground.
Turning to examine into the cause of those
fearful sounds in his rear, he saw the most ter
rife 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 sink
ing gradually out of sight, the tops revolving
more and more rapidly as it sunk and disap-
peared, others following, and as they fell, re-
volving and describing arcs of circle against
the sky. Then the whole earth, as far as the
eye could reach, sinking, and its place supplied
by sea of waters, rushing, seething, boiling
with the noise of mighty cataracts, and ever
and anon casting to the surface the ro2ts, tops
or bodies of mighty pines and oaks. Ii could
only tell it to you in the language OF the awe.
stricken witness it must have been Deyond
comparison tbe most fearfully appalling, and
awe-inspiring sight ever witnessed. The horse
and man lie now painting at the memory OF the
horrors thew have 30 miraculously escaped.
| People are rushing from the scene of disas-
ter. Our camp is crowded with the terror
stricken inhabitants from the country in our
rear. Everybody is waiting with forebodings
and horrible expectations.
They believe the day of judgment has come.
This extraordinary phenomena appears more
and more extraordinary. The country from
two or three miles from here to Lake Matlin tlin il is
entirely submerged, and is now one vast sea.
Nothing authoritative from beyond, though ru;
mors are rife that Orlando is swallowed up, and
the whole chain of lakes to Lake Conway are
united and form an immense inland sea. We
leave Immediately and in terror for our own
| fate