The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1875-04-17
TORNADO.
A Terrific Blow at RieD II, B1fss.-several
Persons Killed and Many wounded
Loss OF Property Over 100000.

A Terrific Blow at RieDzi, B1fss.-several
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 10Th 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
two o'clock in the morning cloud was
observed moving mp from the south
west, and another from the northwest.
These evidently scollided somewhere;
in all probability near the house OF
Jordan l.. Rees, two and half miles,
southwest of town. A hinge Cyclone
was formed, which moved at . tremen-
dously rapid rate, whisky in wild
commotion, rolling In block masses
along the sky and esrth with . terrific
rush and roar, cFushing 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 we're heard; Immediately the
Methodist church bell (the only one
Left rang the alarm, and soon the more
fortunate of -our towpemen we're on the
theatefL OF obstruction, rescuing the
bodies of dead and wounded from the
fallen timbers. It was q scene of Wild
and heart-rending desolation. Forty
two houses, besides churches And the
academy, we're blown to pieces, and in
nearly every instance completely de-
stroyed, not a 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 all
over the face of the earth.
The best built houses were as chaf
before the wild, screaming monster of
storm. The heaviest articles were car
ried away. Large pianos were blown
we're moved and 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 iehtning's fearful
glare, looked out to see what was once
a charmingly beautiful town shapeless
heap of ruins.
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 Porter Walker and Miss
Matte Palmer; Mr.. M. B. Armer died
last night, and his wife will probably
die soon. These lived Immediately in
town and near by. Others further ont
in the country were killed and wounded.
OF the many others wounded in town
it is hoped none will die.
It is truly wonderful to note the
many miraculous escapes. Whole fam
lies escaped almost without scratch
or bruise, while their houses went to
pieces above them, and the air was
filled 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
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. Ticksbury Herald.