Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1873-04-09
Terrible Calamity.
Tho Canton Torhudo-Particul
Of Damage.

Terrible Calamity.
Tho Canton Torhndo-Particul
Of Damage.
MEMPHIS, April 1.-The storm at
Canton, Miss, seems to have been
much greater than was inferred from
the meagcr dispatches. An extra
from the Mail Office Saturday morn
ing says: We had gone TO press last
night and had begun printing OIL our
paper when there came up Tie most
fearful and destructive tornado ever
experienced i'll this region of coun-
try. The clouds lIad been very
threatening, and vivid and inccssant
flashes of lightning presaged thun-
der-stOrm, but no one expected the
fearful gale that burst upon us about
s o'clock. Families sitting cheerful
ly at their tircsitcs, not dreaming OF
danger, in few seconds were rem
dcred homeless and barely escaped
with their lives. The course of tho
tornado was from the northwest,
and its track was scarcely over seven
ty yards in width, perhaps not 80
much as that, and lay through the
center of the town.
| Houses were utterly demolished
and blown away, leaving bare walls
standing, twisted and distorted in all
manner of shapes. Brick walls OF
buildings and solid climneys were
blown down; missiles were sent
through the air, such as timbcrs.
bricks and pieces Of wood with fear
full force. The, occasion altogether
bcgsaas description. The Pcarce
House is in ruins, and stores and
shops above il, one OF which was &
onc-story brick store, icvcled to tho
ground. The old stone house IS /;
wreck, with roofing, galleries and
pliers all gone. Dwellings that arr
mere heaps of timbnrs; Kitchens ant
out-houscs blown absolutely away
yards swept clean of every living
thing; substantial dwelling torn from
their foundations; heavily laden cars
blown from the track; huge pieces oi
timber carried many hundred yard
and buried where they fell in th'
earth, will convey an idea ofthe ruiz
accomplished last night, all III abou
half minutes time.
Mrs. Powell's residence and on'
lOCCukiCt bN -his
ucighboring cottage; Il. G. Smith
residence; a cottage next to the ole
: cemetery; the colorcd Methods
Church, and small cottage occupied
by cclored man and family near by
were utterly demolished. The wifi
of the colored man was buried be
meath the ruins and instantly killed
the colored preacher was buried be
meath the chimney, but not killed, a
was first reported. A number o
people were hurt in the neighbor
hood. Robert &. Smiths rcsidenc
was lifted from its foundations an
moved several feet; his kitchen, AM
lout-houscs and everything in tn
yard were swept away; nothing bu
the crumbliug walls were left. J. Il
Powel's kitchnu and other clubhouse
were demolished, and two chimney
of his residence blown into frag
, ments. VIM. Baldwin's residenc
has the roofstaved i'll.
This, together with injuries don
to roofing, windows, fences, etc
generally, is only what was done O
the southeastern end of tho tow
but if anything, the damages on th
square and the northwest quarter c
the town were even greater. Th
Pearce House, as mentioned, present
the appearance Of wreck; also Co
Jones' building, which a,ljoins III
= barber shop. A one.story brio
store, occupied by Mrs. Snlm as
confectionery and baker establish
! ment. all area mass of ruins. Mr..
Ludeman, who was at Mrs. Sulm'.
had all arm broken; other inmate
unhurt, though the house was utterl
demolished. The iron fence that ir
1t closed the courtyard is partly down
70 1t is twisted, bent and broken, o,
posite the Pearce House, AS if by til
might of a giant, and the court .hous
). itself, on one side of it, is actual
t. in tatters.
We take up the track, and in til
!, northwestern quarter of town we fin
families shelterlcss and cottages pile
up in fragments. Mr.. John IIowcott
house, a new and substantial built
ing, was blown down, and either froI
lamp or being struck by lightnin:
took fire. In brief time all that +,
mained of a happy home and its con
I forts were the charrcd ruins. Scare,
ly anything was saved. We visite
the spot where poor widow lad,
Mrs. Harrison, with her family
children, were contemplating the
wreck ofa home. 1t was leveled
the earth and not a timber left stant
!, ing. The family had providentiall
escaped by going to neighbors's c
the approach of the storm. Ever,
where in the path of the TORNADO
buildings were raZcd to the groun
" or left roofess. Last night aftt
ne ne the storm, the town was
scene of the widest disorder. II
flames from Howcott's residcn
shone against the black clouds of Il
y tempest. Quantities of timber nj
trees obstructed the streets. Mt
were running from point TO point
rescUe those in distress. The tircm'
were braveiy at their post endeavo
ing to drag the fire engine to Il
). scene Of the fire. Women with j
fants in their arms went about Il
streets distracted, not knowing whc
togo. 1t is indeed miraculous til
In all the destruction of homes, ,whe
" y. houses with families in them were
Tor destroyed, that not one stone W
=, icIe upon dNotuSiy tuSt Ouiy OuC II
IL, was lost.
There were miraculous escapes fro
sudden and frightful death.
number of persons were injured mo
'f- or less. There is no calculating no
the amount of damage done to pro
erty.
We stop our press to give what Y
u have been able 10 gather at this tim
j. So far no news from the country. v
y, visited the ruins of a friends rel
dence, hearing that his hcpsa "
- blown down, with view of ASST:
ance. He was standing guard ev
~ the pieces, and the only living breat