Birmingham state herald., 1896-10-02
THE STORM IN FLORIDA The News Not as Bad as Was
 Anticipated. NOTHING FROM CEDAR KEYS But Otherwise the Path of the Hurricane Is
 We'll Covered. NO LOSSES OF LIFE REPORTED so FAR But the Destruction of Property Is General. Some Almost Incredible Instances of the Power of the Wind.
 In Other States.
10 LOSSES OF LIFE REPORTED so FAR

Savannah. Ga, Oct 1-Telegmphc communication between Savannah and Florida has not been re-esta blshed since the hurricane of Tuesday snapped the wires as it came rushing northward from the gulf. The advices which have reached here of the storms work in Florida cover the state pretty fully, but have come by mail.
 The blow came ashore from the gulf on the coast line extending from Tampa to Cedar Keys Tampa getting only the southern edge of the blow. Its path across the state was a narrow one, though large area seems to have been affected. in great ter or less degree, by what might be called the edges of the storm. The registry of the velocity of the wind at the government weather bureau at Jackson Ville showed the remarkable and unprece- dented record of nearly 100 miles an hour This terrific gale fortunately lasted only about minute, but for five minutes of which it was part the velocity was shown to be rather more than 100 miles an hour.
 storm seems to have been not more than about forty miles wide. After passing over 8 strip of territory lying within the northern part of the state, the storm, &C., CDGuIDS lO the W6dtH6f pass ed on to the Atlantic coast which it fol- lowed north.
 The storm passed around Tampa, and there was but very little damage result Ing from the wind, but the high tides played havoc, and several thousands of dollars worth of damage was done to property along the bay. Shipping along the river front suffered considerably
 The tide overf1owed Port Tampa City and the lower floors of many houses were under water.
 At Jacksonville the damage was con fined to the demolition of trees, electric wires and signs.
 At Newberry the damage consisted of the destruction of nearly one-half of the property. The wholesale and retail store of Williams Bros, containing a stock of goods valued at $15,000, was blown down and most of the goods ruined. A phos- phate plant was demolished and some horses were killed.
 At Gracy the sawmill plant of Gracy & Mcdonald the largest in this part of the state, is a complete wreck, and thousands of acres of timber lands are destroyed.
 The heaviest losers are the turpentine manufacturers. Those heard from report total loss, and say that they will be compelled to go out of the business. All of the trees are down, and it is impossible in many places to r,de through the woods even on horseback. The loss to timber in terests will reach s500,0o0. The Gunner Wood and Timber company will be the heaviest losers It will cost the county several hundred dollars to clear the roads of trees.
 Callahan reports that barns, sheds, number of dwellings and two churches are entirely torn to pieces Two Sayan- nah. Florida and Western railway build ings were unroofed. Two box cars were blown from the side track, and got on the main line and went two or three miles before stopping. As near as can be esti- mated the loss will amount to $25OO At Macclenny the Baptist church and one of the largest stores were blown fiat upon the ground; the principal boarding house was unroofed, the county jail suf fered the same fate and number of small dwelling houses were razed. Oth- CTS were blown from their foundations, and not fence was left standing.
 At Gainesville, a building erected by D. E. Cooper for a saw mill, but which was full of furniture, was totally de- stroyed, and a warehouse was demol- ished negro church was turned over on it's side and four negro huts were blown down.
 In Branford the Presbyterian and Methodist churches were blown down to the ground. The Drew Lumber com pany's mill is wreck. The roof was blown from Gilbert's mill and about one third of the tin roofing was blown from the Plant System depot. Many out houses and negro dwellings were un- roofed or blown down. The store of w. Williams, general mercndnulse, WAS pstu- ly wrecked.
 At Lake Butler, seventeen miles west of Starke, Odam Brothers and Thomas & Sons stores, were wrecked, and goods badly damaged. The Baptist church and old court house were blown down. Me- Kinney's gin house was blown down and the cotton scattered
 Fort White caught the full force of the blow Nearly every store and dwelling in town was more or less damaged. The
 1.x.& mt churches were demolished They were valued at $1 250; $900 and $500 respectively. The public school building shared their fate The Plant System depot was un- roofed The losses to the merchants on their stocks and buildings range from S2O0 to $1200 each. The principal losers are A. Dahin, J. W. Stevenson, J. R. An! ders Leonard & Leonard Jacob Barlow sky, J. P. Lester, Dr. Bynum, druggist; J. E. Lee, Sparkman Brothers Pearson Brothers, J. w. Bell, w. H. Murrell Web ster Brothers. E. K Turner, T. w. Pitts and Dr. Grover, druggist.
 High Springs claims the air monster scorched through the town at the rate of 100 miles an hour. Trees and houses went down like card boards, and only half a dozen houses are left to point out to the investigator a once prosperous town. Wo- men had children blown out of their arms and men were knocked down like nine pins. The freight depot, used as re- fuge by many, was partly demolished and refuge was sought in box cars on the track. Among the casualties were the loss of the Higden hotel, one of the larg- est buildings in the town; the Auditor lum; Vinzant, Futch x Co.,, furniture factory; the High Springs oil company's factory, Werner's store, and about twen- ty-fiye residences. The new passenger shed of the Plant System was totally de molished. The building had just been completed, and the new building for the general offices had all the windows blown In and was flooded. About twenty smaller stores were partly wrecked. Part of the new Plant system hospital was un- roofed.