Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-09-06
IA ltIIllC lomp0SC.
The Angry Winds Sweep Through Baton
Rouge and Surrounding Country.
Levelng and Unroodng Residences, su,
gar Houses and Cotton Gins
The Cotton and Cane Fields Laid Waste |!
The Steamer Trenton and q Large Mum.
Der Of Coal and Other Barges Sunk.
The Storm King Reigns Supreme During
Nine Successive Hours.
Destruction and Desolation !!

Days" in the history of our community
On the night before our population ha'
gone to rest with hearts filled with til
hope that
BRIGHT DAYS OF PROSPERITY.
were in store for US all. The fields wer'
laden with bountiful crops, from who's
proceeds d revival of business and in
dustry that would again re-establish tn
broken fortunes of those of our people
whom the past years Of nisrule, failure
of crops, and the. pestilence of 1873, hat
well nigh reduced to absolute want
All these blessings were at hand; the hus
bandmcn had begun to gather il
this wealth. Our country was about t.
awaken as though the past had beer
but
A HIDEOUs NIGHTMARE.
There would be joy and happiness il
East Baton Rouge during the fall and
winter.
The sky on Sunday night was cloudy,
though nothing indicated the erial dis.
turbance that approaching MORN would
usher in.
On Monday the day opened with {;
light rain by eight o'clock n Northeast
wind was blowing, carrying with it
volumes Of constantly increasing rain,
until the hour ofmeridian when suddenly
the wind increased in violence, soon
attaining
THE FORCE OF A TORNADO;
at one o'clock the scene had changed,
and the Demon of destruction was at
work. Huge trees were being prostra-
ted to the earth and uprooted, the crash
of falling timbers and walls was heard
ut intervals first in one direction then
in another. Scarcely q fence was left
AND TORRENTS OF RAIN
Ileluged the streets. The sight was an
one, and anxious hearts were
now expecting naught but the worst
tidings. The town was covered with
increasing debris Of all kinds.
At about three o'clock it seemed as
though the hurricane had done it's work.
The wind had slackcned in its force, and
thc rain had nearly ceased. At about
four o'clock however the wind shifted
lrOund to tho Northwest and then it
seemed as though
NOTHING WOULD STAND BEFORE IT;
lie damage being inflicted minute after
minute was heart rending. At night
all all hope of it's cessation had ended
md every one was prepared for the
worst. 10 save property was no longer
IN aim. There was
PRAYING IN MANY A HOUSEHOLD
hat the lives of dear ones might DO
pared and saved from the impending
alamity!!
Never before in the recollection of the
ldest inhabitant had this city Been sub
ectcd to such visitation. Nothing
ouA be done but to await tho worst,
nd that seemed yet to be in reserve.
he gale continued on with undated
|'ry until the hour of eight p. M.
WHEN A NOTABLE CHANGE p,
ecame plainly discernible. BY nine
CLOCK all danger had passed and it
'as evident that the storm fiend, had
bandoned it's prey.
1t is only after the battle that the
'sses are counted ; and now comes the
ainful description of the devastation
reated during those eight hours of an
uish and terror:
The Ferry boat Sophie was dismantled
nd beached. Five coal Flats belonging
Messrs. Coyle Wilmot Go, were
INK loss about $500.
Messrs. Wood Il Widney save nothing
their coal yard but the Tug Mamie
FOOD. Loss $4,000. |
Mr.. +. NJ. Brooks Drug Store was
rushed in by the falling of the gable
nd of the store occupied by Mr.. B. |
eibelman. Loss about $4,000. The
orth end of tho brick house lately occu- !
led by Mrs. Lacrampe, was blown
own. The roof of Mr.. Capdevielle's
ore was torn off.
The colored Baptist Church near Prof. |
agruder was levelled to the earth.
he gable end of Mr.. Castro's residence
AS blown down. Connor's Gin was
so torn by the wind. The gable end
u brick building on Florida street
as blown down. Some of the iron
'ofng on the Garig warehouse was
'rn of. The west end gable of Mrs.
store was blown down. At
10 Stephen place a large stable was
yelled. Mr.. Eli Thomas warehouse
as also lcyellcd. Mrs. Chancy's stable
as destroyed. The north end gable of
rs. Walsh's brick store was dcmolish-
|. Some $50 feet of the north wall of
% Penitentiary was blown down.
Sam Campbelps new house in Spanish
WI was destroyed. The roof on the
est side Of the Pcnitentiary was torn
|. Messrs. Kleinert and Michals coop
shop was damaged to the amount
81, 600. We might 90 on ad intmilum
enumerate the damage inflicted upon
e property Of almost every citizen in
is city either in the way of fences,
eds, stables and out buildings torn
'wn, and houses unroofed and other
lse maltreated. Fruit trees, and