March 1875
March 20, 1875 a tornado came through middle
Ga starting in Lee County Alabama and ending in Edgefield County, S.C.
Numerous lives were lost and the injuries were many. In Baldwin County
9 people were killed, 60 wounded, 94 houses blown down, and $50,000 worth
of property damage was done.
.
Below are articles from the Augusta newspaper and Atlanta newspapers about Baldwin County. The list of the dead were taken from the Augusta paper and The Union-Recorder.
March 23, 1875
Union and Recorder
TERRIFIC
TORNADO, Great Destruction of Life and Property
About 1 o'clock P.M., Saturday last,
dark clouds hung over the city, threatening a storm of unusual violence.
A rumbling, roaring noise, and a shaking of houses, warned our citizens
of the approach of something terrible. Terrified people rushed into the
streets and beheld a sight new and startling. To the west of the city a
whirlwind, which looked like the huge smoke-stack of a locomotive, from
which issued black smoke, spreading out and upward to the sky, seemed to
be approaching the city rapidly, carrying death and destruction in its
march.
It was a moment when man felt his
utter helplessness and insignificance.
The hand of a merciful God guided
the whirlwind away from the city else the sad story we tell had been sadder
still.
From our point of observation the
whirlwind seemed to come from the northwest till it passed south of the
town when a sudden current changed its course and it came back, now traveling
in a North-east course and toward the southern part of the city. Steadily
and rapidly it comes taking up trees and fences, a house is in its path;
quick as thought the house is licked up by the awful monster, another and
another, to the number of seven or eight disappear, and the Storm-King
has driven past our city and across the river.
The first house destroyed in our
sight was the home recently purchased by Mr. E. P. Lane from Mrs.
Bayne, and well known as the Luther Lane house. It was utterly
and completely destroyed. It was scattered hundreds of yards, and portions
of it carried entirely away.
The residence of our aged friend
Mr. Tommie Johnson was destroyed. Mrs. Johnson was horribly
mangled and survived only a few hours. Mr. Johnson also received injuries
which are not considered serious.
The house of Dick Gause, a
colored man in the immediate vicinity, was a complete wreck, and he was
killed outright, - a portin of his skull being entirely gone, which was
afterwards found half a mile off, and brought to the Church on yesterday
when the funeral was progressing. His wife and child escaped while his
mother was severely wounded. The other houses were occupied by colored
people, several of whom were more or less hurt while others made wonderful
escapes.
The roof of Judge D. R. Tucker's
house
was injured and out houses on the premises of Capt. T. H. Latimer and
Mrs.
E. D. Brown were blown down.
On our way to the scene of disaster
we met two colored men-bleeding and showing evidences of rough treatment-who
had been caught on the road with a pair of Col. Johnson's fine horses
in a wagon. They stated that the wagon was blown to pieces, and the horses
badly hurt.
We have now spoken of what cam under
our observation. We learn the house of Allen Brogsdale (col'd) at
Midway was blown down and several members of his family injured. And strange
to say a bale of cotton with iron ties, blown away from this house, was
picked to pieces by the wind and scattered broadcast through the country.
At the plantation of R. R. Brown
9 miles from town, houses and fences completely ruined, and Mr. Brown severely
injured. At this place two negro women were killed, an infant carried away
in the cyclone, and nearly all the negroes (about 17 on the place) more
or less hurt.
At Rob't Harper's plantation
things are badly torn to pieces, houses blown away (except gin house) and
one child killed and several negroes wounded, some of them severely-two
women with thighs broken.
At Jack Hall's houses blown
down - no one seriously hurt.
James M. Martin's -
houses destroyed, family buried in the debris, but escaped unhurt, one
negro child killed.
Wm. Harper's plantation
west of Oglethorpe College, fencing and buildings badly damaged.
East of Milledgeville, we learn that
six or seven houses on the plantation of the late R. A. McComb, were blown
down, and several persons hurt. Among them is Mrs. Horton, who is
seriously wounded.
Ed Vinson - fencing gone.
Mrs. Oxford's house was blown down,
and everything in it destroyed - herself and son and daughter unhurt.
Thos. J. Hall - stable,
crib and fencing gone. Mr. Hall and Mr. Lavender went out to
look at the torm and were caught in the whirlwind and thumped about on
the ground and badly bruised.
P. M. Ennis -
fencing gone, gin house and screw injured.
Miss Berry, daughter
of Fitz Berry of Hancock county, was killed near Culverton-she was visiting
at the house of Mrs. Bass, who with her child was also killed.
Mr. W S. Scott, Coroner, informs
us he held inquest over the bodies of the following persons of color killed
by the tornado, on Saturday: Richard Gause, Georgia Ann Lewis, Laura
Wright, John Collier, Thomas Lester, (all colored.) No inquest, were
held where the persons came under the treatment of physicians and afterwards
died.
Daily Chronicle and Sentinel
March 23, 1875
The Storm in Milledgeville
(Macon Telegraph and Messenger)
Daily Chronicle and Sentinel
March 24, 1875
In Baldwin County
MILLEDGEVILLE, March 20, 3:10 p.m.
March 30, 1875
Union and Recorder
THE TORNADO. THE DAMAGE IN BALDWIN. Report
of Committee.
We, the undersigned committee appointed
by the Grand Jury at the adjourned term of Baldwin Superior Court, to investigate
and report the number killed and wounded, and also to ascertain the amount
of damage done to the citizens of Baldwin county, and what relief can be
given to the sufferers, by the destructive tornado that passed through
our county on Saturday the 20th inst., beg leave to make the following
report. The committee for the purpose of dispatch divided the tract of
country over which the tornado passed into three parts - that portion from
the Jones county line to James Martin's, on the road leading from Milledgeville
to Macon, was examined by Charles E. Bonner and Chas. R. Harper; that portion
from James Martin's to the Oconee river at Milledgeville was examined
by James A. Green and J. N. Moore; from the Oconee river to the Hancock
county line was examined by W. H. H. Barnes and Jas. H. Pulley. Below we
give a detailed statement, which shows
Number killed......................................9
Number wounded................................60
Number houses blown down..............94
Value of property destroyed.$50,000
Our actual figures, as taken down, foot
up less than forty thousand dollars, but the destruction of timber, the
delay to farming operations, and other losses, difficult to estimate, will,
we are sure, make the total not less that fifty thousand.
We take pleasure in reporting that
sufferers by the storm have received the kindest attention from their neighbors
who gave them shelter and supplied their wants, helped them repair fencing,
&c. There are several cases of utter destitution, where aid will be
necessary for some time. In some cases the committee have supplied immediate
wants, and are now going forward in the discharge of the duty imposed by
the Grand Jury.
R. R. BROWN.
Severely wounded in head and shoulder
and badly bruised, but doing well. Houses, fences, forest, &c, destroyed.
Six houses gone and others badly injured. Loss $2000.
Freedmen on the place-
Amariah Morris - Six in family,
all hurt, lost everything
Osborn Goddard - Six in family,
one killed and one child carried away in the whirlwind and no trace of
it discovered, and balance badly hurt-lost everything.
John Morris - Four in family,
all hurt, some of them badly. Loss, everything.
Erwin Wright - Two in family,
wife killed, lost everything. Loss, everything.
The wounded received medical attention
from Dr. Hardeman.
Value for property lost by
the colored people in clothing, furniture, &c, probably $600.
PICKNEY BROWN'S
Nobody hurt, damage to plantation $500.
WM. ENNIS
Nobody hurt, three houses down and others
injured. Damage $1000.
ROBT. H. HARPER'S PLACE.
Fourteen houses destroyed, fodder all gone
and good deal of corn, and a large amount of fencing swept away. Loss $4,000.
The freedmen on the place was nearly all
wounded and lost all they had. Their condition is as follows:
Thomas Huson, 4 in family,
three ribs broken and other bruises, wife badly bruised, and grandchild
badly wounded in head-clothing and furniture entire loss.
Mark Hutchings, 5 in family,
wife killed, daughter four years of age thigh broken; lost all furniture
and clothing.
George Ward, 3 in family,
self and wife slightly bruised - loss all clothing and furniture.
Vine Collier, 8 in family,
two children killed, wife badly injured and two children severely wounded
- loss furniture and clothing.
Henry Williams, 3 in family,
wife slightly bruised, some loss of clothing and furniture.
Mingo Davis - 7 in family,
self and wife slightly hurt - loss clothing and furniture.
Henry Veal, 9 in family, self
and wife slightly hurt, two children badly hurt, furniture all destroyed
and a good deal of clothing.
John Warren badly hurt.
Daniel Nelson severely bruised.
The wounded are receiving medical
attention from Dr. Hollingshed. They are all tenants of Mr. Harper
-are
in a destitute condition and need help. Value of property lost by freedmen
probably $1000.
A. J. HALL
Dwelling house top blown off and
three outhouses down, fencing gone. Damage $300.
W. A. CHAMBERS.
Dwelling and six outhouses
down, fodder and a good deal of corn destroyed and fencing swept away-loss
of $1,200.
R. W. TRAPP
Fencing blown down and several
hundred acres of fine forest destroyed. Loss between $500 and $1000.
JAMES M. MARTIN'S
Residence, gin-house, cribs,
in fact every house on the place, 15 in all, swept away, and furniture,
farming implements, some corn and fodder, fencing, timber, &c. destroyed.
Loss $5,000. The white family (six in number) escaped with slight bruises.
There were nineteen colored persons on the place - one child was killed
and another carried off some distance and dropped in a field, badly bruised.
part of Mr. Martin's house and bed-clothing was carried two miles. To show
the force of the storm, we may mention that a large piece of granite partly
embedded in the ground weighing at least five ton, was turned over
and broke. The accumulation of seventeen years of industry and frugality
is swept away in a moment.
Value of property lost by freemen
probably $600.
JUDGE HARRIS' PLACE.
Considerable damage to fencing
and timber,
PETE WILLIAMS (colored)
Lived on Smith's Mount, wife and
one child badly hurt (leg and arm of child broken) and two other children
wounded in the head. Furniture, provisions and clothing all gone. Received
medical attention from Dr. Hall. Cared for at Williamson's. Destitute.
CAPT. WILLIAMSON.
Fencing destroyed. Loss $100.
MRS. JUIA SMITH
Twenty-five or thirty acres valuable
timber ruined.
WM. HARPER'S PLANTATION.
Gin-house, smoke-house, stable and
fencing gone. Nobody hurt. Loss $300.
MIDWAY CEMETERY
The storm passed just north of the
Oglethorpe College buildings, and over the Midway Cemetery, destroying
trees, shrubbery and grave-enclosues. The tomb of Dr. Talmage was
not injured.
ALLEN BRODGSDALE (colored.)
Three houses and fencing gone. Allen's
ankle mashed and his son injured in the head. A bale of cotton was carried
away by the wind. Loss $600.
DR. LOCKHART
Fencing and timber destroyed and
some damage to houses. Loss $600.
LATIMER & LAMAR
Crib, stables and outhouses injured,
buggy and carriage broken, trees and fencing blown down. Loss $800.
D. R. TUCKER'S
The roof and chimney's of Judge Tucker's
residence damaged. Loss $500.
MRS. E. D. BROWN
Two houses on the Trippe place
were blown down. They were occupied by colored people. In one family (Nelson
Turner's) 5 children, 2 badly hurt, one child both arms broken.
Esther Williams who occupied the house near the Double Branches, was
dangerously wounded and one of her children seriously injured. These people
lost nearly everything. The wounded received attention from the Asylum
physicians, and are present sheltered and cared for at the Asylum. Esther
Williams is truly an object of charity. Phillis Jordan, also
living on this place, lost everything.-Mrs. Brown's loss is about $600.
JOSEPH LANE
Kitchen injured, fencing destroyed.
Lost 200 or $300.
E. P. LANE
The Luther Lane cottage recently
purchased by Mr. Edward Lane, is a complete wreck, and part of it
seems to have been carried entirely away. It was unoccupied. Loss $1000.
MRS. EMMA LANE
Barn and fencing destroyed, and residence
and furniture badly injured. Loss $500.
THOMAS TURK
Fortunately escaped with slight injury
to house and fencing.
THOMAS JOHNSON.
Lost two houses, besides outhouses
and fencing. One of the houses was unoccupied. Mrs. Johnson was
horribly mangled and survived her injuries only a few hours. Mr. J. also
received injuries, but is recovering. Medical attention from Dr. White.
Loss of property $700.
DICK GAUSE (colored)
Was killed outright and his mother
injured. His house and furniture is a complete loss. Leaves wife and child
destitute. Loss $500.
W & J CARKER
Lost two houses and fencing. One
house occupied by Lige King, colored, whose wife received severe
injuries, but is recovering. loss $600.
HARRISON BRIM, colored
Cabin unroofed and rendered
uninhabitable.
M. E. EDWARDS.
Lost three houses and fencing. One
of the houses (on Midway road) was occupied by Fredrick Thweatt,
colored, who lost his furniture, &c. Mr. Edwards' loss is about $600.
MESSRS FAIRS'
Place on the river-kitchen and fencing
destroyed, Loss $200.
CAPT JONES' PLANTATION.
Two houses blown away, also some
corn and fodder, and a great deal of fencing and timber destroyed. Loss
$1000.
TILMAN JONES
Two outhouses blown away and fencing
and timber damaged. Loss $500.
MRS. VINSON.
Four or five thousand panels of fencing
destroyed, and a considerable amount of timber. Damage $1500.
R. A. MCCOMBS' PLANTATION
Gin house and six outhouses destroyed
and the dwelling house badly damaged, fencing on east and west sides of
plantation swept away. Loss $4000.
The plantation was rented by Mr.
Geo. W. Bird, who suffered considerable loss, including 2000 lbs fodder
200 bushes cotton seed, one buggy, clothing, &c. Loss $300.
WILLIS STAPLETON
Wife badly hurt, and provisions,
clothing, furniture, &c destroyed. Loss $250.
W H HORTON
Provisions, furniture, clothing,
&c, all gone, Mrs. Horton badly hurt and her mother severely
injured on the head. Seven in family, six wounded. Medical attention from
Dr. Hall. Loss $300.-Destitute
E S VINSON
Two outhouses blown down, fencing
and timber destroyed. Loss $500. Henry Williams, colored, on this
place lost a fine cow.
E CHANDLER
Had about two miles of fencing blown
down and his place otherwise damaged, Loss $200.
D B SANFORD
Considerable amount of timber destroyed.
MRS ANN OXFORD
Four houses completely destroyed,
and corn, fodder, fencing, provisions, clothing, and furniture, all gone-
Three in family -two wounded, Mrs. Oxford badly. Loss $1000. In a destitute
condition. Medical attention from Dr. Robson.
BENJ COOK AND S LEONARD
Some fencing and timber destroyed-Loss
$200.
SEABORN LEONARD
Fencing blown away and timber destroyed,
Loss $200.
THOS J HALL
Two outhouses, some corn and
fodder, fencing and timber destroyed - loss $700. Mr. Hall and Mr.
Lavender severely wounded.
P M ENNIS
Gin house damaged and injury
to fencing, timber &c heavy-loss $1500.
JAS. A. GREEN, J. N. MOORE, C. E. BONNER,
C. R. HARPER, W, H. H. BARNES, J. H. PULLEY, Committee.
March 30 1875
The Union Recorder
Mayor Herty received from an unknown
person in Atlanta a contribution for the sufferers of the storm. Thirteen
killed in Baldwin county by the tornado.
James Martin's place (west Baldwin), Robert Harper, Charlie Harper's place, Robert Trippe's place (Midway) Brown's Crossing at Robert R Brown's place every house destroyed, everyone injured (Brown's Crossing), south in city of Milledgeville, McComb place (across river)
List of Victims
1. Mary Johnson
2. Richard Gause (black)
3. George Ann Lewis (black)
4 Laura Wright (black)
5. John Collier (black)
7. Thomas Lester (black)
8 Tom Huson (black) (Charlie Harper's
place- Midway)
9. black child at James Martin's place
10. 1 child at Robert Harper's place
11. 1 black woman at R. R. Brown's place
12. 1 black woman at R. R. Brown's place
13. 1 black child blown a mile away
at R.R. Brown's place
Wounded:
7 on McComb estate included Mrs. Stapleton
everyone on R. R. Brown's place at Brown's
Crossing
Mr. Thos. Johnson, Mrs.
Oxford, son and daughter, and 10 or 12 negroes.
A Miss Berry - daughter of Fitz Berry was at Culverton and was killed along with Mrs. Bass and Mrs. Bass's child.
April 28, 1882
Union and Recorder
Mr. Editor: Please allow me a small space
in your valubale paper for a few items from the Pottery;
While we have been in the line of
the two last syclones and suffered no little in loss of property, I am
thankful we were spared our lives, as we read of so many who were killed
during the last storm. It did awful work at Jack Simms' (col.);
blowed his dwelling down and several other houses, and not a single
one of his family was even bruised. It's next destruction was at Mrs.
E. N. Gilmore's where it blowed down some six or eight houses and greatly
damaged her residence. she was a widow lady and it was a heavy blow on
her, but I am glad to state she bore it cheerfully and seem submissive
to Him who ruleth on earth.
Mr. J. I. Etheridge was the
next sufferer. Here the storm seemed to cross the tract of the first cyclone,
and destroyed every house and fruit tree on his place. He had scarcely
finished repairing the damages of the first when the second cyclone came,
and he is seemingly ruined. I am glad to say that our kind neighbors have
had a free heart and hand in this season of distress. Allow me to thank
the generous and kind hearted people of Eatonton, Macon and Milledgeville
for the amounts given to help the sufferers in our neighborhood. It is
useless to ask what they need as nearly everything they had was blown away
or broken up. E.O.
May 1886
May 25, 1886
Union Recorder
THE CYCLONE.
Which visited this county las Tuesday afternoon, crossed the Oconee river
near the mouth of Camp creek, and passed on to old Salem, where it struck
Mr. Lawrence Babb's place, destroying his dwelling and damaging
his fencing; the next place it struck was Mr. J. J. Simpson's, whose
house was also damaged and his fencing blown down. At Harrison Barnes
old place, now owned by Perry and Denton and occupied by a negro
named Watts, the houses were all swept away. Mr. Ed Vinson was
perhaps the greatest sufferer; all the houses on his place were blown down
except his residence and that was unroofed. Three colored families living
on his place lot, everything. Mr. Lowe Russell, living on Mr. M.
A. Barnes place also lost everything. Mr. Cute Jenkins' house
was demolished and he was struck by a piece of falling timber and badly
hurt. The house occupied by Mr. Benj. Cook was destroyed but the
family all escaped unhurt. Mr. Chandler's gin-house was blown down.
The whole neighborhood turned out
Wednesday and assisted the sufferers in putting up fences and repairing
dwellings. Rev. T. H. Gibson, Capt. P. T. Ennis and Mr. King
Champion, who were appointed a committee for the purpose, called on
our citizens last Friday for contributions for the sufferers. The families,
whose homes were ruined by the storm, have the sympathy of our citizens,
and prompt assistance should be rendered to place them on their feet again.
Eileen Babb McAdams copyright 2004