The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-09-03
Fernandiua Mirror.l
SWEET BY A HURRICANE.
F~rmandiaa's First Acquaintance
with thts Unwelcome Visitor.

F~rmandima's First Acquaintance
with ans. Unwelceme Visitor.
The severest storm that has occurred within
The recollection of the Oldest inhabiant swept
Amelia Island on Monday last stiff north
casterly breeze was blowing Sunday evening,
which increased during the night to almost
gale, and continued increasing from 3 o'clock
Monday morning TO 1880 p. NJ, having in the
meantime vecred round to north-northwest, nc
companied by heavy showers At 1880 the
wind increased 10 hurricane until $50, when il
abaled somewhat, but still blew hard in squalls
during the entire night The incidents OF the
storm have been SO graphically described by the
correspondent of the Times Union, writing from
this city on Tuesday last, that we quote his Ian
guage:
There is scarcely house in town but that
suffered 10 some extent, and some very much
Those which escaped more serious injury were
Hooded with water or had the glass broken from
the windows Fernandina oday presents the
appearance of tornadO-swept town. Side
walks are covered with leaves, moss and limbs
of trees, and in many places are INSTRUCTED by
large trees which have fallen across them fences
are levelcd in all paris of town; yards are strewn
with leaves and fruit. Every one is repairing
the damage to his own property and inquiring of
his neighlOrs what injury they have sustained.
In the business portion OF town signs are lying
upon the sidewalks or prOpped up with tempo
rary braces. Timers and carpenters are in de-
mand, and the sound of hammer and saw is
heard on every hand. Window glass and nails
are at a premium.
THE TORNADO.
Early risers yesterday found good breeze
blowing from the morrill, and by 6 o'clock rain
had begun falling in considerable quantities.
By O'Clock the water was coming down in tor
rents aud the streets were flooded. The barOmc
ter pcrsistenlly and steadily dropped. Old sea
captains shook their heads and made their
| Seis ready Tor heavy weather. Al 10 O'Clock
there was stiff breeze from the north and north
| west, and at noon it became evident that some
| thing more than an ordinary storm was upon us.
| 1t was not until about O'Clock, however, that
| the gale seemed TO reach its height, and from
that time until dark the fury of the wind and rain
was something fearful. The water came in blind
ing sheets and with snch force that those who
| tried TO face it mag ined that hail instead of rain
was striking them. Loc0motion was almost i'm
| possible. Business was entirely suspended and
the elements had undispuled control of the
streets. Occasionally there would he slight
lull in the storm, but only for Il moment, when
with louder roar than ever the wind would whirl
through The streets. After night there was a per
ceptible decrease in the fury OF the wind and rain
and during the night both ceased, and this morn
| ing perfect calm prevails.
BUILDINGS BLOWN DOWN
"The tornado had however, left unmistakable
signs of its presence. While at its height ii
demolished the partially completed residence of
Mrs. f. Tavcl, on Fifth street, laid fat upon the
ground Island City (colored) Masonic Hall, a
two story building on Fourth street, and entirely
demolished Friendship Hall (also belonging to
the colorcd Masons), two story building at the
corner of Beach and Tenth streets The cas-
| form nnI Of N al l,,;l
Brown, on Second street, was blown into the
| street. A house occupied by Fred Hunt (cOl-
orcd) on the east side of The city, was blown
down and his furniture destroyed Frank
| Hughes house also demolished and a
number OF small houses were lifted from their
foundations
ACCIDENTS TO SHIPPING.
The storm was particularly severe on the
river. The schooncrs EthR " Dacis and Chas
H. Coul0mJ lying at Reeds MILL Old Town,
broke their lines and driltcd ashore. The
shooner LouiM Frm=ier, which was anchored in
the stream, dragged her anchor and went on
the beach. The Norwegian bark C1lumba,
loading at IIuol's mill, broke her moorings and,
dcmOlishing portion OF The wharf swung stern
first upon the piling and shifted her partially
loaded cargo. IL is thought that none OF the
vessels above named are seriously injured. The
Cotuhnba had her feretopmast taken out by the
| I"rtS rs the latter swung from her moorngs.
| A large number Of logs in the boom ut IIuOl' 5
mill went adriil bul many Of them will be
| recovered. Several small boats and lighters
were sunk and broken up along the shore of the
river. The look out OF the pilots mt Old Town
was entirely destroyed. The runway al Bauk-
nights icc-housc went down in the gale.
OTHER DISASTERS
"A photographer .fc"t on Second street col
lapscd.
"Onc OF the large plate glass windows in
Mode Bros store was driven in by the wind
and demolished. Ii was insured. A window
in the store of William Lake, and one in F.. cd
w. lloyt 81 Co.'S furniture store, on Centre
street, were broken The tin root on the ware
house of lloyt & Co., on Second street, was torn
of, but the firm sustained little damage
Both the Methodist and Epst opal churches
suffered considerably from the rain
ain numberlc>s dwellings rooms were flooded
and plastcrIng destroyed.
AT the beach, strange 10 say, scarcely any
damage done beyond a drcnchng of the
Sra'hmore Hotel by the rain, causing the guests
| to SCI k shelter in town."