Evening star., 1896-10-01
SWEPT THE COUNTRY
Terrible Havoc of the Midnight
Gale.
ITS PATH FROM FLORIDA TONEW YORK
Meager Reports Show Great Loss
of Life.
TOD AVS SAD DETAILS

MEMPHIS. Tenn, October IA special
to the Commercial-Appeal from Jackson
Vile, Fla, says: 1t is a conservative esti-
mate to say that fifty people have lost
their lives from yesterdays hurricane, and
the number may lun much higher. News
nom that portion of the state where the
storm first struck is very slow in coming.
Tor wires are down and railroads are inn
passable Wrecking parties which went out
yesterday morning have not returned end
ii will be late before the full extent of the
damage is known. The hurricane struck
Florida at Cedar Keys. and reports show
that 1t passed in path of destruction over
twenty towns and villages, and that be-
tween thirty and forty persons have GER
fanny been Killed. Cedar Keys is about 100
miles southwest of Jacksonville The hur-
ricane which had been churning the waters
Oh tie gull, first struck this place a viii
iase of 1.Joo inhabitants. The only report
which has come concerning Cedar KEYS is
That the town has been swept away and
many lives have been lost This report
comes from Gainesville. which is fifty miles
away. Nobody has been able to get any,
thing direct from Cedar Keys Moving
northeasterly, the storm struck Willistown
small town, where eleven houses were
Flown down, one person was killed and
several so badly hurt that it is expected
they will die. Near here is a large turpen-
tine farm, where state convicts are en-
ployed. Twenty OF these were huddled to-
Sether in a cabin. A heavy tree was blown
across the cabin and six of the convic;s
were crushed to death.
Fearful Havoc.
In Alachua county the storm did fright
ful work. In Gainesville the Methodist
Church and about twenty residences and
business houses were destroyed and while
a number of people were hurt, no rats.-
Ties are reported. At Lacross. fifteen build
ings were destroyed. Rev. W. A Barr.
Mrs. F. F. Mcintosh and her babe were
reported killed. Near there four laborers.
who were in cabin at a turpentine farm,
were crushed by falling trees. Newberry,
in West Alachua, is totally wrecked. e. J.
Eastlin, Mrs. Nancy Moss, Frank Ohm
stead and David Jones were killed
At High Springs Melissa Harden Jane
Morris and Sallie Mobiles, colored, are re-
ported TO have been killed. AT this place
number of people took refuge in box
car, which was in the path of the cyclone.
1t was blown along the track and then
on 1t distance of fifty feet and every
person iE ii was badly injured. Steve
Mason and George johnson have since
died.
AT Grady, a small place, twelve houses
were blown down, woman was killed and
a baby at her breast was uninjured al
though 1t had been carried some distance
by the force of the wind. AT Lake Butler
Bradford county Mrs. c. II. Harkey, Mrs.
J. NJ. Fitch and her infant were fatally
hurt. Many buildings were blown down.
At this place the wind blew to pieces two
cars loaded with bricks and a negro, Harry
Sullivan, who was some yards away. was
killed by being struck by one OF the flying
bricks. On Judge Richards turpenune
farm four convicts were killed by falling
trees.
Four Towns Wrecked.
In Baker county four towns were almost
totally destroyed. They were McKlenny,
Sanderson, Glen st. Mary and olustee.
No one was killed outright in these towns
but many were injured, among whom was
Mrs. c. 8. Richardson, James McAlphin
and North Webster, all Of whom will die
At Live Oak the destruction is complete
but no loss of life is reported. Near Well
berne the house of Amos White was de-
stroyed and two of his children killed. At
Lake City eight business houses and thir-
teen houses were destroyed. Mrs. Sarah
Fletcher and two boys were killed and
Dora Jennings, Samuel Hudson ani Jonas
Mabrey were fatally injured Six persons
are reported killed at Fort White. in Co.
lumbiana county, but no names are given.
The hurricane passed over Duval county
striking the edges of Jacksonville hut do
ing very little damage. There was no loss
OF lie. Just nCrth Of here. however, in
Nassau county, considerable destruction 10
reported. Five children were killed in the
wreck of a school house. Miss Stewart the
teacher, had her arm broken. Lila Balls q
twelve-year-old girl, was killed at her home
her mother being fatally injured. Harry
Johnson was also killed.
Many Killed.
At Hillyards another school house was
wrecked and four children were killed At
Kings Ferry Andy johnson, Moses Las
sitter. Simon Henderson. May Jones and a
child were killed. Mrs. Fischer was nurs-
ing sick child, and the infant died as the
house fell. The mother was hurt but will
recover. Three sailors were killed on
schooners that were loading lumber at
Kings Ferry. Across the line into Georgia
the devastation was continued. At Folkston,
which Is near the Okefenokee swamp tie
school house was wrecked and four chill
dren killed. Several casualties are report
ed in Camden county. Ga. The storm then
continued on its way to Brunswick and Sa-
vannah. There is no way to estimate the
property losses in Florida The losses NAV
seem heavier than when closely examined.
but the opinion of the insurance men here
Is the Florida losses will foot up s. OOO.OOO