The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-10-09
AFTER THE STORM.
THE MAILS BRING REPORTS OF
DESTRUCTION IN FLORIDA.
Cedar Kcys Cut Off From the World.
Muc1 Damage to Many Small
ToSshs.

relegraphio comm unlcation between Sa-
vannah and Florida has not been re -estab-
lished since the hurricane of Tuesday
snapped the wires as 1t came rushing north
ward from the gulf. The adyIces which have
reached Savannah OF the storms work in
Florida cover the State pretty fully, but have
como by mail.
The blow came ashore from the gulf on the
coast line extending from Tampa to Cedar
Keys, Tampa getting only tho edge OF the
blow, Its path across the State was II mar
row one, though a large area seems to have
been affected in greater or less degree by
what might be called the edges Of the storm
Tho registry Of the velocity of the wind ut
the Government weather bureau at Jackson
vile showed the remarkable and unprece-
dented record OF nearly 100 miles an hour
lis terrific gale fortunately lasted for only
about a minute, but for five minutes Of which
1t was part the velocity was shown to be
rather more then 10 miles an hour. The
path Of the greatest severity OF the storm
seems to have been not more than about 40
miles wide. After passing over a strip OF
territory lying within the northern part Of
the State the storm, according to the wealth
cr authorities, passed on to tho Atlantic
c)ast which 1t followed north.
The storm passed around Tampa and the re
was but very little damage resulting from
wind. but the high tides played havoc and
several thousand dollars damage was done
To property along the bay. The tide over
flowed Port Tampa City, and the lower floors
of many houses were under water. At Jack
sonvillo tho damage was confined to the de-
molition Of trees. electric wires and signs At
Gracy the loss to timber interests will reach
100000. Callahan reports that barns. sheds,
u number Of dwellings and two churches arc
entirely torn to pieces. Two Savannah, Flor
ida and Western railwly buildings were un-
ROOTED. AS near as can be estimated the
loss will amount to $4,000. At McClewny
the baptist church and several stores were
blown fiat. At Gainesville thero were several
buildings demolished. In Branford the Pres
byterian and Methodist churches were blown
to the ground. Fort White caught the full
force OF the blow. Nearly every store and
dwelling In town was more or less damaged.
High Springs q m tbs air monster scorched
through the town at the rate Of 100 miles an
hour. Trees and houses went down like
cardboards, and only half dozen houses are
left to point out the Investigator a once pros
porous town. Women had children blown
out of their arms and men were knocked
down Ike ninepins.
How much damage was done at Cedar
Keys has not been learned. II is not proba-
BILE, however. that tho storm proved more
destructive there than at other points in the
State Other towns In Florida felt the force
OF the blow, but the damage done was trivial
None OF tho famous large hotels suffered to
an extent worth mentioning, and it IL be-
lieved that the above story covers the path
Of the blow in the State so fully that there Is
very little left untold.
Tho storm did considerable damage
throughout tho South, but the most stricken
places are Savannah. Ga, and tho above
points in Florida. Charleston escaped tho
winis fury, but Beaufor. and other points on
The coast were in the track Of the storm. At
StauEton. Va. II dam burst and several lives
were lost.