Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1874-11-28

| 1CSCCMBIA, ALA, Nov. 2l.-Durlng the
storm on Sunday about 800 persons were
deprived of houses, and the total loss TO tine
town aud private individuals is estimated at
100000 The Memphis and Charleston
railroad company loses $50 900. The storm
came on while most of the people we've sup
ping. 1t came like sond of rushing thun-
der and passed over Immediately. Houses
were blown down in many places. and streets
aed roads were everywhere flied with
crumbling walls and shattered tinbers The
people Immediately organized, appointed
leader and set about relieving those held by
falling ,imbers, and recovering the bodies of
the killed. In addition to the killed, mention
ed in yesterdays Nashville dispatch, thirty
persons were injured. Soon after the storm
had blown over it was discovered that the
iron railroad bridge over Spring Creek, about
half mile from town, had been completely
destroyed, and at the same moment in was
remembered that the train from Memphis
could be expected to arrive at any moment.
The utmost confusion prevailed; no one
seemed to know what TO do. but at length
young man named Womble seized huge stick
of pine wood, and after thrusting it into the
fire in house near by, he rushed towards the
broken bridge, waving the blazing wool over
his head as he went He had Amos; reached
the creek when his torch was extinguished
by rain, which was falling in torrents. AT
fhe same time the whistle of the approaching
train was heard, and the next moment the
headlight flashed through the darkness. The
young man called with all his might, but the
engineer heard nothing but the sound Of the
storm. Before any warning could be con.
veyed to him, the engine, baggage car, and
one passenger coach went over the embank
ment, fifty feet dowr into the creek. The
rear Passenger cars did not go off the trauk,
ii being blocked up by the wreck of the front
ones. The engineer, fireman, and baggage
master went over with il. They were cut
out of the ruins after two hours hard work.
They were very dangerously burned and
bruised, but are expected to recover. Several
of the passengers were slightly injured, but
none of them were prevented from proceed
ing on their journey. They were delayed
few hours.
The searching party first removed the
ruins of State Senator Moore's house. Mrs.
Moore was found on bed with two heavy
timbers lying across her. and two children
under her dead, all crushed out of shape.
Two other children were rescued alive.
John Hodgkins was blown out of a second
story window, and fis house blown down,
burying his brother's family. On cutting
through the wreck Mr.. Hodgkins, his wife
and four children were all found crushed 10
death. The mansion of Mrs. Winston was
blown down and she found killed by heavy
wardrobe and other furniture. The house
was valued at over forty thousand dollars
Her son-in-law, ex Gov. Lindsay, was occu-
n of he L..
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24.-The President this
morning received the following telegram
TUscUSsIA, ALA, Nov. 23.-To His Ex-
cellency, U. S. Grant, President of the United
States Last night this town was visited by
aStofnado, which destroyed large portion of
its houses, leveling them to the ground, and
ten persons were killed. Destitu,ion prevails
to an extent no language can describe.
There is no money IN this country, and the
suffering Of the destitute cannot be relieved
by individual aid and it is, therefore, that
this appeal is made to your Escellency for
immediate relief, by an orde: for the supply
of rations, etc. am authorized by large
town meeting to make this appeal hoping
end believing your Excellency will respond
promptly and plentifully.
[Signed] DAVID r. LINDSAY,
Chairman of Town Meeting
Heartily endorsed by the Mayor end Beard
of Aldermen
[Signed] HENRY F. NEWSOM, Mayor.
The following reply was sent:
WASHINGTON, Nov 24-To David r. /
Lindsay, Chairman, or Henry F. Newsom,
Mayo, Tu,cumbia, Ala. The President, in |
reply to yyur telegram Of November 90, |
greatly regrets that he is unable 10 comply with
your request The limited appropriations |
for subsistence for the army Will not permit |
him 10 issue the subsistence above required |
[Sisned] w. W. BEtKsAF,
Secretary Of War.