Brandon, OH Tornado Ravages Ohio Towns, Jan 1854

AWFUL TORNADO IN OHIO -- THE TOWN OF BRANDON AMLOST SWEPT AWAY -- MOUNT VERNON PARTLY INUNDATED -- IMMENSE DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.

Mount Vernon, (Ohio,) Saturday, Jan. 21.
Yesterday afternoon this section of the country was visited by the
heaviest storm of wind, rain, thunder and lightning, that we have experienced since 1828. A perfect tornado was experienced some six miles south of this. The town of Brandon was almost entirely destroyed, scarcely a house being left to mark the site of the place. DR. WHEATON was seriously, if not mortally injured, and a MRS. SMITH was also badly hurt. The tornado was about half a mile wide, tearing up everything in its track, but the full extent of the damage we have not yet been able to learn. Our streams have overflowed their banks, and EBENEZER JENKINS, while attempting to cross Armstrong River last evening, was thrown from his buggy and drowned. BUCKINGHAM & Co's stable was struck by lightning and destroyed. The lower part of our town was almost inundated by the tremendous quantity of rain that fell, and out streets look more like rivers than thoroughfares. The damage must be very heavy, as the sectioni through which the storm passed was thickly settled.

The New York Times New York 1854-01-23
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!