March 15, 1880 Barbour County Tornado

From The Troy Messenger, March 25, 1880, pg. 3:

A Terrible Cyclone.

Clayton, March 20. – The lower portion of the county was visited on Monday night last with a terrible cyclone which left nothing in its track and did great damage to property and persons. We give as follows the best account we can obtain from persons who have seen only a portion of the waste. Our information begins in the settlement of what is known as the Reynolds and Cape neighborhood. The space covered was about 30 yards in width, and the course northeast. The dwellings and outhouses on the places of Mr. J.B. Reynolds and Wash Capels were totally blown to pieces. The trunk of Mr. Alex Capels containing six or seven hundred dollars was taken up and carried a great distance, particles of it was found the next day miles away. The money was all lost save thirty-five dollars, which was found sticking to a tree. The pants which Mr. Kit Capels had been wearing in the day were also taken off – in them he had about one hundred and twenty-five dollars, and the inquiry still is for the pants and money. This gentleman and his wife are said to have received serious injuries, but we hope not fatal. Mr. John Efurd lost a valuable mule, besides corn, fodder and buildings blown away. We learn that the wind crossed the road leading from Louisville to Clayton, just above the residence of Mr. Geo. W. Williams, about six miles below here. The only damage received by him was one house and much fencing blown down – continuing in its northeasterly course crossing the Eufaula and Clayton public road about one mile from Clayton tearing away houses and fencing where ever found in the space covered by it. What damage has been done further east we are not informed. Families asleep were aroused only to see the house top taken off and themselves shelterless. We sympathize deeply with the victims of this terrible visitor and trust that the proper steps will be taken by those who escaped to restore as much as possible their loss.

             Since writing the above a subscription list has been opened in Clayton and we hope a good amount of money will be sufferers.  – Clayton Courier.