Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-04-04
A Fearful Tornado in Florida.
From the Jacksonville CLAY Union.


One of the most severe storms that
ever visited Florida came upon us on
Saturday last. The cyclone was appa-
rently divided into several stratas, as
was shown in several instances where it
had passed. Starting from Camp Moo
ney, six miles from the city, the farthest
point from which we have any reliable
advice, it pursued an easterly direction.
and, in the distance Of mile, destroyed
four dwellings, besides outbuildings,
trees, etc. The house of Solomon
Thomas was completely carried away,
severely ipjuring both Mr.. and Mrs.
Thomas, and leaving them almost naked
amid the ruins
At Mr.. Stetson's place, some two miles
west OF the city, colored woman was
blown distance of fifty rods. Mr..
Stetson's house was completely wrecked,
hardly trace of it remaining on the
ordinary site. A woman who was in
the house, by the name of Virgins, was
instantly killed. Pieces of a new wagon
that had stood in the yard were found
at distance of quarter of a mile from
the wreck, and one of the tires of the
wagon was found completely wrapped
around Il tree at distance of one-eighth
of a mile.
At Three mile Branch, the next place
which fell before the wrath Of the eve.
lone, Jacob Barton's house was entirely
capsized, and nearly all the wreck was
carried by the wind to distance of one
hundred feet. Ten persons were in the
house, and miraculous as it may seem,
with the exception of one or two slight
bruises and scratches, no one was in
jured.
At April Lercey's, two hundred yards
farther on, old Boreas was not as leni-
ent. The house was totally DESTROYED.
Mr.. Lercey's daughter, aged p years,
was killed outright, and an infant Sc
verely bruised. Three other houses
were carried away between Lercey's
house and Panama road.
An old colored woman was blown I'D
in pine tree, where she lodged until
morning, when she was rescued. She
Is not expected to recover from her in
juries.
The house of Jesse Oxendyne was de-
stroyed, and he was severely injured in
the back and ankle; his son William
had his thigh broken and severe frac-
ture OF the knee; his vie was seriously
bruised IN the chest; a younger son was
also badly injured, and an old woman
who lived in an adjoining building, be-
sides several others, names unknown.
Within the short distance of two miles,
ten buildings were demolished, trees
uprooted, and even the grass blown from
Its roots, so severe was the gale.
The track of the storm seemed to be
about two hundred yards wide at this
point, and seemed to have concentrated
within its narrow limit all its power,
and swept strong buildings from its
path like mere straws. One building
was blown away, and the kitchen that
was within fifteen feet of it escaped
damage. Fortunately the occupants
slept in the kitchen and escaped un-
harmed.
From Panama road the storm swept
clear track to st. Johns Mill, carrying
devastation into many home, and rem
dering houseless those who but few
short hours before had retired to rest
only to be aroused TO find themselves
without shelter and without sufficient
to protect them from the
storm.
A new building on the banks of the
ST. Johns, owned and occupied by Mr..
Blaney Godfrey, was as completely de-
molished as could possibly be, not a
board nor chimney-stack remaining in
its original position. The inmates, ten
in number, escaped with but slight in
iuries. A colored man named Jerry
Harrison, who slept in an clubhouse,
was crushed beneath the falling tim
bers.
The body Of woman, name unknown,
was found on the opposite eide of the
river. At several places along the
course of the storm the carcasses of
cattle and a few horses and mules were
observed, crushed beneath the weight
Of fallen trees and ruins.
Tho GOfton Eahrioc of Tadio