Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-04-17
POCAHONTAS, TENN,
Nearly Destroyed by Tornado ef UBex.
ampled Fury and ViOlence-Wreek
and Ruin Eyerywhe Visible
An Awful Visitation.
No Lives Lost and Only One Man In-
jured-Particulars as to Some of the
Property DestrOyed-An Appeal
for Help-Memphis,A Answer.
From an Appeal Correspondent. !

From an Appeal Correspondent
PoCAHoNTAs, April 15.-Last night about
nine O'Clock this town was visited by one OF
the most destructive tornadoes that it has
ever been my fortune to witness. This is
the third that has visited this community
within the knowledge of the present citizens.
The course of the wind was-fFom the south
west. Trees, houses, fences, and any and
everything in its couse felt its mighty power.
1t is impossible to give in detail the names of
suffering parties, enine-tenths of the
citizens have lost 1eayily. Nearly every
house in the town We destroyed; scarcely a
single one that was not unroofed, or in some
other way injured. Not only this, but all
fences, fruit and shade trees, barns, stables
and stores met with the same fate In short.
the town is the most complete wreck that
1 ever beheld. The yards, gardens and
fields of the people are lying at
the mercy of depredating stock.
These they are unable to pro-
tect, as they are at present employed in pro-
curing comfortable quarters, drying their
clothes and bedding, and gathering together
the remaining fragments. God only knows
the distress and suffering that must ensue.
Strange as it may appe ar, there was not one
person killed, though quite number were
seriously injured. Several houses caught on
fire, but only one was burned entirely up.
Many persons were canght amidst the falling
timbers of houses, and made very narrow
escapes. If ever chsrity was needed, this is
the time. If you have any wealthy and gen.
erous-hearted citizens, who have enough and
something to spare, let them now respond to
the cry of distress coming up from
this sorely-aftiicted people. In many
cases even their scanty supplies were blown
away and destroyed; and, with their crops
at the mercy of stock, and no means to pro-
tect themselves, it is, indeed, sad condition
Can we expect any assistance from Memphis
If she can, let her respond Immediately, and
thereby assist in alternating the distress Of
this people. Not only the provisions of pri-
vate individuals were destroyed, but those of
the merchants were also damaged to such an
extent that, in many cases, they are useless.
will only add that the steam mill, the large
br OK hotel and three churches were entirely
destroyed. w. s. MALONE.
Another Account.
From an Appeal Correspondent
PoCAHoNTAs, April ia terribly de-
structIve tornado, or cyclone, struck our
town last night, and what is left of it looks
like an immense pile of cord-wood The
debris of buildings, frame and brick, lies
scattered for miles IN the track of the storm.
Household svUds uuu The merCna1tSf stocLs
of dry goods, ETC., were strewn abont and
ruined by the rain and fearful wind and hail
ofo hot vroxarlaA Tie
ings destroyed, all substantial, were Joyner's
brick hotel. the Methodist church and the
Christian church, both substantial frame
buildings; the storehouses of G. w. Garrett
& Bro, J. L. Smith and DR.. Ponchos; the
residences of DR.. Wetherby, w. B. Garrett,
J. c. Nj Farland, Mr.. Rosser, G. w. Garrett,
Mr.. Adkins, and others | cannot just now re-
call In a word, the town is demolished
completely. The roaring of the storm was
heard miles away, when scarcely breath of
air was stirring. | was told by one of the
hands on the west bound train that at
Hatchie bridge, a few miles east of here,
the black cloud and accompanying roar.
ing were seen and distinctly heard, and the
train stopped until it had ceased. Coming
on toward town they found the track almost
mpassably encountered with timber and
debris of fences and buildings. Succeeding
the storm came all sorts of panicky stories
of people killed and hurt, but at
this writing l know of no one killed, and but
one injured, John Adams, who received a
fracture of the collar bone and some bruises,
miraculously escaping death. Several others
were buried benz ath the ruins of their houses,
and strange to say received not a scratch
During the storm haiistones fell as large as
May-apples. Since writing the above, sew
eral persons from the country have come into
the demolished town, and report their fences
and Cuthouses destroyed, and their crops LETT
to the mercy of strolling stock. Thus far l
have heard Of no casualties outside The town,
but few hours may develop that the storm
was more disastrous after it passed over
Pocahontas. Our people, many of them, are
in dstress, "a all they had in the way of sub
sistence, besides their shelter, was swept
away, and God knows what they will do until
means can be provided for their relief.
OLD READER.