The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-11-19
DESTRUCTION FROM THE CLOUDS,
A TERRIFIC CYCLONE SWEEPS THROUGH
THE PARISH.

THE PARISH.
The storm which swept over por-
ton of this Parish, on the night of the
of the 18th inst, was the most violent
and destructive in its character, which,
in our recollection, hos ever visited
this section.
Our reporter who, on last Sunday re-
paired to the Elmwood Plantation on
Bayou Robert, ten miles below Alex
andria, to observe and to note the
work Of the destroying element, sur
veyed q scene of such utter and com
plete destruction, that it is impossible
to appreciate it, save by actual obser-
walton.
The fearful and extraordinary forces
which, in single moment of time, had
wrought such ruin and devastation, can
only be compared to such destructive
agents as nitro glycerine and giant
powder. Not a single object within its
track, which was scarcely more than
two-lundred and fifty yards in width
was left standing. On the plantation
alone, twelve buildings, including the
sugar house, stables and quarters, were
completely demolished and swept
away. To say that they were blown
down by the force of the wind might
convey the idea that they had simply
toppled over, and lay as they had fall.
en-sach is not the case, the shivered
and splintered remnants of even the
heaviest timbers were hurled to i'm
mense distances, and huge oaks were
twisted off and uprooted, come having
fallen in the direction of the wind, and
others in reverse position. Even
across the open field the track of the
cyclone was as distinctly marked as
the bed of crevasse. The less to the
lessee, Mr.. j. F. Davis, is very serious
in every respect, four of his best mules
were killed outright, besides Others
crippled; implements, tools, wagons
carts, poultry, his carriage and buggy
in a word, every thing which was OF
the place, except his household effects
were completely destroyed. 1t may
be regarded as nothing less than a mir
acle that not q single life was lost
though number of persons were con
siderably injured by the falling build
ings. Mr.. Davis and his engineer, Mr.
Murphy, were in the sugar house, wit
Eve hands. at the time of the catastro
phe, which was about 8 o'clock, p. m,
and all escaped with comparatively
slight injuries. In each of two build
ings which stood near the sugar house
some ten hands had sought shelter
and though to look at the wrecks {
the houses, We could not see how on
escaped, yet none were mnch hur
INCIDENTS OF THE STORM.
The plantation bell, which weigh
300 pounds, was lifted from tho frame
on which it was hung, and carrie
about one hundred feet; heavy car
plows were carried O distance of ,
least two hundred and fifty yards an
dropped. Wheels and axles of CAT
wagons we're lodged on the top of Sc,
eral large oaks which had fallen, or
over tho OlncF3 Iui ~ hcot oooso VI
ground. Turnips were uprooted an
were rolled along the ground, like
many marbles. From tho w0od-pil
at the sugar house, heavy sticks of OF
wood were carried quarter of mil
One of the singular and remarkab
characteristics of this storm fiend W
the lurid glare which lit up the he
vens, and rendered every thing
plainly visible as in midday. The d
rection of the storm was from Sou
West to North. East, and it pass
across Red River twelve miles belo
Alexandria at the plantation of CAP
WEIGH, on which place the same dar
age was done to buildings as at Eli
wood.
The estimated loss to Mr.. Davis al
to Mrs. Rausdell, the owner of Il
plantation first named, will not be lie
than $4,000.
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