The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-04-16
TORNADO.
A Terrific Blow at Rienzis mIss.-SeveraI
Persons Killed and Many wounded
Loss OF Property Over 100000.

Terrific Blow at Rienzis mfss.-SeveraI
Persons Killed and Many wounded
Loss OF Property Over 100000.
write to give you some account of
the tornado that visited the town of
Rienzi on the morning of the 18th inst.
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
electricity, while all the elements seemed
to be at war with each other. At about
two o'clock in the morning cloud was
observed moving up from the south
west, and another from the northwest.
These evidently collided somewhere;
in all probability near the house of
Jordan Il. Rees, two and half miles
| southwest of town. A huge cyclone
was formed, which moved at tremen-
dously rapid rate, whirIing in wild
connection, rolling its black masses
along the sky and earth with terrific
rush and roar, crushing all the large
timbers in its course, and finally struck
our beautiful little town by the south
west, moved across the central part to
the northeast, and swept houses, fences
and everything before it. Cries of dis
| tress were heard Immediately the
Methodist church bell (the only one
| IeftJ rang the alarm, and soon the more
| fortunate of our townsmen were on the
! theater of destruction, rescuing the
! bodies of dead and wounded from the
| fallen timbers. It was a scene of wild
and heart-rending desolation. Forty
two houses, besides churches and the
academy, were blown to pieces, and in
nearly every instance completely de-
stroyed, not stick of timber remain
ing. The very foundations were taken
up and carried away. Fragments of
broken furniture, crockery, bedding
| and wearing apparel were scattered ali
over the face of the earth.
The best built houses were as chaff
before the wild, screaming monster of
storm. The heaviest articles were car
ried away. Large pianos were blown
out into the yards. Bales of cotton
were moved aud many things have not
been heard of. The mighty storm-god
rushed on and passed away. The rain
began to fall in torrents, and the living
arose, and, by the li9htning's fearful
glare, looked out to see what was once
charmingly beautiful town a shapeless
We have but one church left (the
Methodist), and that is badly injured.
With sadness I chronicle the killing
of the following: Jordan L. Rees and
his little girl f; Porter Walker and Miss
Matte Palmer; Mr.. NJ. B. Armer died
last 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 in town
it is hoped none will die.
1t is truly wonderful to note the
many miraculous escapes. Whole fam
lilies escaped almost without scratch
or bruise, while their houses went to
pieces above them, and the air was
filed with the kissing missiles of death.
The loss of property is estimated at
over 800, 900.
Many are left entirely destitute, their
clothing, supplies, household and
kitchen furniture, together with houses
and fences, all having been SWEPT away.
Our neighboring towns are sending
prompt assistance. The unfortunate
have gone to work with commendable
energy to restore their broken fortunes,
but they must have assistance from
abroad. V6ckS6otrg Herald.