Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-22
THE WORK OF THE STORM.

The Damage to the Telegraph Lines-A
Savannahian's Picture of the Ruins at
DavisborO-The Amount of Property
Lost There.
The news from the territory devastated
by the storm of Tuesday night proves it
to have been one of the most disastrous
that has ever been known in the South.
The telegraph wires between Savannah
and Augusta are still down. This line
comprised seven wires belonging to the
Western Union Company, and their loss
has been the cause Of serious inconveni-
ence. All New York messages are now
sent 10 Charleston and thence North. Z
large force Of men Is at work repairing
the break, and everything will again be
in working order in a few days.
The greatest damage to the
line, is near DavisbOrO, where
they are reported to be down for seven
miles. The Southern Telegraph Compa-
ny's wires are also down, and their busl-
ness is done through the Western Union
office.
The accumulation Of business on We'd
nesday was worked off early yesterday
morning, and the office is now being man
aged without the necessity OF delaying
messages.
A number Of gentlemen came down the
Central Railway yesterday morning,
among whom was Mr.. F. D. BlOOdwOrth,
Of the firm Of W. W. Gordon & Co., who
went to Davisboro on Wednesday to look
after the interests of the firm there.
In conversation with a MORNING
NEWS reporter Mr.. BlOOdworth gave some
additional particulars relative to the
storm. Wien he reached Daylsboro,
about O'Clock Wednesday afternoon, he
said, great deal Of the debris had been
removed from the streets, but the terrible
effect Of the wind was apparent ON every
side. Some distance south OF the rail-
road track, said he, there IS a small creek
which runs parallel with the line OF the
railway. and quite an area of low land
known as The Swamp" is included be-
tween the creek and the railroad track.
| West of the railroad station
the line of road leads for
some distance through this low
land. North of the railroad much
OF DavisbOrO is located on high ground,
the elevation commencing near the road
and showing the higher points in the
| landscape about a quarter Of a mile or
more from the railroad.
Mr.. BlOOdworth referred to the state
ment made in yesterdays NEWS by Engi-
ueer McGlOin, and remarked: The main
street does not cross the railway at a
right angle, or on a line due north and
sOuth--it leads more from the southeast
TO the northwest. In other respects Mr.
McGIoin gives very correct idea of the
situation. and / have referred to his
statement as to the course OF the
street to show YOU where the
line of the tOrnadO's track seems to have
commenced. The brick warehouse owned
by the Central Railroad Company was
south of the track and short distance
west of the street which crosses the road
diagOnally from the southeast. If you
were standing at this crossing and look
ing in the direction of the warehouse ruins
YOU would be about facing the southwest
point Of the compass. The tornado came
| from that point across the creek and
swamp, and destroyed the railroad pump
| and two or three other buildings, besides
| giving the cotton gin a shake. 1t then
/ struck the brick warehouse, the walls Of
| which were a foot thick. That building
was leveled' but the guano which
[ was stored there was not much
/ damaged by the debris. The roof OF
| the warehouse was very strong and well
| KEYED and braced throughout, but il was
| broken up and several of It's timOers
carried across the track. ! think Mr.. We
reen was struck by flying piece of tim
Der while outside of and near the store to
/ which the NEWS report refers. l noticed
that the trees which were blown
L
Of the warehouse were lying with
their tops pointing towards the
warehouse, and at other points, l saw
trees with the tops pointing towards the
main street, while a little distance north
Of the railroad and east of the street the
tops point in every direction, and some
| of the trees are lying across one another.
About half way UP the main street
saw a post three or four
inches square and about five or six feet
high, which had been pierced and split by
a piece Of plank that had been imbedded
edgeways by the wind, and was stand
ing, when | saw it, like a crossroads
/ sign board among the ruins and fallen
trees. Some of the houses were COM
pletely destroyed and were lying flat on
the ground. Others were unrOOfed or
only wrecked on one side"
''What do you estimate the damages
caused by the storm at DavisbOrOT' G
The railroad warehouse was Il plain
looking and very substantial structure,
and cost about $500. The damage to
other buildings probably makes total Of
$4,000"
''What time did the tornado strike the
place."
probably between and O'Clock.
Some Of the people said the great part of
the blow came about $3.50 O'Clock. The
cloud was funnel-shaped and large lurid
spot was seen in the centre of its other
wise black folds. The lightning was in
cessant and alarmingly vivid