The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-04-16
A Southern Tornado.

A correspondent of the Vicksburg
Herald gives the following account OF
the terrible hurricane that recently desc
lated the town of Rienzi, Miss.
During all the earlier part of the night
there was every indication of storm
the wind blew in fitful gusts, now and
then the rain fell in torrents, the atmos
phere was close and hot, and full of cleo
tricity, while all the elements seemed to-
be at war with each other. At about z.
o'clock in the morning cloud was OBJ
served moving up from the southwest
and another from the northwest.
These evidently collided somewhere >;
in all probability near the house of Jor--
dan l.. Rees, two and one-half miles
southwest of town. A huge cyclone was.
formed, which moved at tremendously
rapid rate, whirling in wild commotions
rolling its black masses along the sky
and earth with terrific rush and roar.
crushing all the large timbers in it's
course, and finally struck our beautiful
little town by the southwest, moved
across the central part to the northeast,
and swept houses, fences and everything.
before it. Cries of distress were heard ;;;
Immediately the Methodist Church beD
(the only one left rang the alarm, and
soon the more fortunate of our townsmen
were on the theater of destruction, res
cuing the bodies of dead and wounded
from the fallen timbers. 1t was q scene,
of wild and heartrending desolatmI-
Forty-two houses, besides churches and
the academy, were blown to pieces, and
in nearly every instance completely de
stroyed, not stick of timber remaining.
The very foundations were taken up ano.
carried away. Fragments of broken fur
nit,re, crockery, bedding and wearing
apparel were scattered all over the face
of the earth.
The best built houses were as chaff bea
fore the wild, screaming monster OF o.
storm. The heaviest articles were car
ried away. Large pianos were blown
out into the yards. Bales of cotton were
moved, and many things have not yet
been heard of The mighty storm-god
rushed on and passed away. The rain
began TO pour i'll torrents, and the living
arose, and, by the lightning's fearful
glare, looked out to see what was once q
charmingly beautiful town shapeless
heap of ruins.
We have but one church left (the
Methodist), and that is badly injured.
With sadness | chronicle the killing OF
the following Jordan l.. Rees and his
little girl Porter Walker and Miss Mat
tie Palmer. Mr.. NJ. b. Armer died hast
night, and his wife will probably die
soon. These lived Immediately in town
and near by. Others further out in the
country were killed and wounded. OF
the many others wounded i'll town 1t Is
hoped none will die.
1t is truly wonderful to note the mary
miraculous escapes. Whole families
escaped almost without scratch ol
, brrise, while their houses went TO pIec,'
over them, and the air was filled viii
kissing missiles of death.
, The loss of property is estimated a
over 100000
Many are left entirely destitute, thell
clothing, supplies, household and kitchen
, furniture, together with houses anC
fences, all having been swept away. Ou-
neighboring towns are sending promp
assistance. The unfortunate have gone
to work with commendable energy to re
store their broken fortunes, but the.
must have assistance from abroad.