Sep. 1, 1879 Hurricane at Baton Rouge

[Huckster]

I've been researching Louisiana hurricanes, especially the ones which have significantly impacted my area, Baton Rouge, for several years now. The most helpful tool I've found is the microfilm of old newspapers. The copies I printed were of horrible quality, so just recently, I transcribed the entire September 6, 1879 article about the hurricane which struck on September 1. The article is from the Louisiana Capitolian, Baton Rouge, LA. I hope someone, at least those of us from Louisiana, will enjoy this or get something out of it. BTW, the misspellings and grammatical errors are mostly exact reproductions, and I tried to use the original format as best as I could.

A TERRIFIC TEMPEST.

The Angry Winds Sweep Through Baton Rouge and Surrounding Country,

Leveling and Unroofing Residences, Sugar Houses, and Cotton Gins !

The Cotton and Cane fields Laid Waste !

The Steamer Trenton and a Large Number of Coal and Other Barges Sunk.

The Storm King Reigns Supreme During Nine Successive Hours.

Destruction and Desolation !

The first of September 1879, will long be remembered as one of the "Dark Days" in the history of our community. On the night before our population had gone to rest with hearts filled with the hope that
BRIGHT DAYS OF PROSPERITY
were in store for all. The fields were laden with bountiful crops, from whose proceeds a revival of business and industry would again re-establish the broken fortunes of those of our people whom the past years of misrule, failure of crops, and the pestilence of 1878, had well nigh reduced to absolute want. All these blessings were at hand; the husbandmen had begun to gather in this wealth. Our country was about to awaken as though the past had been but
A HIDEOUS NIGHTMARE.
There would be joy and happiness in East Baton Rouge during the fall and winter.
The sky on Sunday night was cloudy, though nothing indicated the aerial disturbance that approaching morn would usher in.
On Monday the day opened with a light rain; by eight o'clock a Northeast wind was blowing, carrying with it volumes of constantly increasing rain, until the hour of meridian when suddenly the wind increased in violence, soon attaining
THE FORCE OF A TORNADO;
at one o'clock the scene had changed and the Demon of destruction was at work. Huge trees were being prostrated to the earth and uprooted, the crash of falling timbers and walls was heard at intervals first in one direction then in another. Scarcely a fence was left standing,
AND TORRENTS OF RAIN
deluged the streets. The sight was an appalling one, and anxious hearts were now expecting naught but the worst tidings. The town was covered with constantly increasing debris of all kinds. At about three o'clock it seemed as though the hurricane had done its work. The wind had slackened in its force, and the rain had nearly ceased. At about four o'clock however the wind shifted around to the Northwest and then it seemed as though nothing would stand before it; the damage being inflicted minute after minute was heart rending. At nightfall all hope of its cessation had ended and everyone was prepared for the worst. To save property was no longer an aim. There was
PRAYING IN MANY A HOUSEHOLD
that the lives of dear ones might be spared and saved from the impending calamity!!
Never before in the recollection of the oldest inhabitants had this city been subjected to such a visitation. Nothing could be done but to await the worst, and that seemed yet to be in reserve. The gale continued on with unabated fury until the hour of eight p. m. when a notable change became plainly discernible. By nine o'clock all danger had passed and it was evident that the storm fiend, had abandoned its prey.
It is only after the battle that the losses are counted; and now comes the painful description of the devastation created during those eight hours of anguish and terror:
The Ferry boat Sophie was dismantled and beached. Five coal Flats belonging the Messrs. Coyle Wilmot & Co., were sunk; loss about $2,500.
Messrs. Wood and Widney save nothing of their coal yard but the Tug Mamie Wood. Loss $20,000.
Mr. F. M. Brook's Drug Store was crushed in by the falling of the gable end of the store occupied by Mr. B. Feibelman. Loss about $2,000. The north end of the brick house lately occupied by Mrs. Lacrampe, was blown down. The roof of Mr. Capdevielle's store was torn off.
The colored Baptist Church near Prof. Magruder was levelled to the earth. The gable end of Mr. Castro's residence was blown down. Connor's Gin was also torn by the wind. The gable end of a brick building on Florida street was blown down. Some of the iron roofing on the Garig warehouse was torn off. The west end gable of Mrs. Kauffman's store was blown down. At the Stephen place a large stable was levelled. Mr. Eli Thomas' warehouse was also levelled. Mrs. Chaney's stable was destroyed. The north end gable of Mrs. Walsh's brick store was demolished. Some 150 feet of the north wall of the Penitentiary was blown down.
Sam Campbell's new house in Spanish town was destroyed. The roof on the west side of the Penitentiary was torn off. Messrs' Kleinert and Michal's cooper-shop was damaged to the amount of $1,000. We might go on ad infinitum to enumerate the damage inflicted upon the property of almost every citizen in this city either in the way of fences, sheds, stables and out buildings torn down, and houses unroofed and otherwise maltreated. Fruit trees, and others of every size and description were uprooted and blown down.
It is impossible to compute the amount of losses in dollars and cents. It is variously estimated in this city alone at from fifty to seventy-five thousand dollards.
IN THE COUNTRY
The following letter, written by Capt. J. C. Charrotte, will give an idea of the nature of the destruction done in the neighboring country to crops and buildings:
“The result of the storm yesterday to me is: my barn and stables were blown flat to the ground. The east end of the sugar house over the engine was blown off and taken about one hundred yards, Several parts of the engine were broken. The top part of both of the large brick chimneys were blown down. The sugar cane, cotton, and corn is flat on the ground.” Mr. Charrotte adds: “I have never experienced such a severe storm. Trees that no doubt have been standing for centuries were uprooted and blown down. Thank God no lives were lost.” Capt. Charrotte also states that the gin house on the Rev. Mr. Patterson’s plantation was blown down.
A large number of gin and sugar houses and cane sheds were destroyed. From every portion of the parish and in West Baton Rouge come these harrowing tails.
On the Henry Von Phul place, the roof of the sugar house fell in killing 29 of his mules. The roads are blocked up by fallen trees, and gigantic oaks through the forests are levelled to the earth.
THE STEAMER TRENTON
Was overtaken by the gale opposite the Conrad place. The officers soon discovered that the boat could not live through it. They landed the passengers who took shelter at the Conrad house, thus saving their lives with the exception of Father Olivier, of Grand Coteau, a Catholic priest, W. B. Faulk, clerk of the steamer Tensas, a man from Muscatine, Iowa, whose name is unknown, and a white deck hand; name unknown. Mr. Wm. Conrad courageously undertook to go to the rescue of father Olivier in a skiff, but the boat was soon swamped by the waves. The boat and cargo were, of course, entirely lost, together with 95 head of cattle penned on the lower deck.
The officers and crew acted with the greatest coolness and gallantry, as did also Mr. Lewis Vinet. The brave Mate, Mr. Wash Harbrough, was the last to leave the steamer.
The passengers, officers, and crew, were received by the Messrs. Conrad and families with that generous hospitality for which they are so justly reputed. Every comfort that could be given the refugees was extended to them. The following letter of acknowledgement speaks volumes in praise of those kind people:
We the undersigned passengers and officers of the ill-fated steamer Trenton desire to testify to the kindness shown us by Messrs. Conrad and family after the loss of the boat. All possible attentions were there bestowed upon us and we cannot find words to express our thanks:
Chas. E. Lehman,
Gus Mayo,
Miss A. Maher,
A.H. Generes & Lady
M. B. Willis,
Thos. Brady,
Lewis Vinett,
Leon Lanet
Thos Knee, Capt.
H. Molaison, Clerk
Charley Florat
O. S. Hinkley,
W. Harbrough, mate
Thos. Lyons,
K. A. Dunbar, pilot
John King,
R. H. McDowell, pilot.
To Mr. Chas. E. Lehman, one of the passengers, we are indebted for the above information.
INCIDENTS.
On the Weick & McMullen plantation a long shed, appertaining to the east side of the residence was lifted bodily and carried over the roof of the building into the yard on the west side, despite the obstruction of the chimneys in its way. On this place we found that the sugar cane, although lying prostrate, is fast straightening; cotton is again opening and shows signs of vitality. These gentlemen suffered the loss of their cane shed and a gin house that were blown down, the latter breaking several wagons that were housed therein.
CONDITION OF THE CROPS.
From our own observation and the opinion of experienced planters, we feel authorized in asserting that should the remainder of the season be dry and favorable, most of the present damage done to the crops will be regained, save in some exceptional cases. The loss of buildings destroyed will of course bear heavily on the individual sufferers, but we are happy in saying “that all is not lost.”
SAVED
Since writing the above we learn that Father Olivier and others reported lost on the Trenton, saved themselves by clinging to the keel of the boat until they succeeded in reaching the West Baton Rouge side.

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

Mid August Texas storm!!!
http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atl ... /track.gif

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

Another tropical storm 5#
http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atl ... /track.gif

Tropical storm 6#
http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atl ... /track.gif

Hurricane 7# right into Florida
http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atl ... /track.gif

Hurricane 2# hitting on the cape as a cat3
http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atl ... /track.gif

That season was something.

[mobilebay]

I remember that. Boy that was a hot summer!

[Steve]

That was awesome Huck. Great work and also great to hear about Grand Coteau's (that's grahn-ko-toe for anyone not from S LA) finest, Father Olivier, hanging onto the keel and making it across the river.

Good work. I'm looking forward to many more stories as you transcribe them.

Steve

[Andrew92]

I remember that. Boy that was a hot summer!

Don't take this too personal but,

How old are you? 140?

-Andrew92

[mobilebay]

It was a joke andrew92, notice the smiley.

[LAwxrgal]

Interesting stuff Huckster.

I also found it intriguing to note how news reporting and styles of writing have changed over the past 125 or so years. A modern day reporter would never write in that style.

[Andrew92]

It was a joke andrew92, notice the smiley.

Still, I just couldn't help it.

[cajungal]

Must of been a powerful hurricane. Baton Rouge is a great deal inland. Way more inland in 1879 than it is today. Baton Rouge is where a lot of our residents evacuate to when there is a hurricane. I wonder how bad it was in Houma during that hurricane. We would of been on the worst side. The east side of the eyewall.

[Brent]

I remember that. Boy that was a hot summer!

[Brent]

I remember that. Boy that was a hot summer!

Don't take this too personal but,

How old are you? 140?

-Andrew92

The world's oldest person would have been born somewhere around 1879... give or take a few years.

[CajunMama]

Huckster...My son did a LA History project about 6 or 7 years ago on Louisiana Hurricanes. If I remember correctly his research went back to the 1700's. I'll try to find his paper and find out where he got all his information from.

[Javlin]

I love the writing makes you see it in your minds eye.The language today is just not that descriptive anymore.Great story.

[SouthernWx]

Must of been a powerful hurricane. Baton Rouge is a great deal inland. Way more inland in 1879 than it is today. Baton Rouge is where a lot of our residents evacuate to when there is a hurricane. I wonder how bad it was in Houma during that hurricane. We would of been on the worst side. The east side of the eyewall.

The HURDAT project by the NOAA Hurricane Research Division has re-evaluated the 1926 Louisiana hurricane as a strong cat-3....sustained winds of 125-130 mph (110 kt) at time of landfall, so it's likely the Houma area experienced wind gusts in excess of 140 mph.

PW