Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-04-23
TERRIBLE TORNADO.
The Towns of WassOn and Beau
ragard, Miss, Almost
demolished.
Twenty Five Houses Blown Down
Fifteen Persons Killed.
An IndOScribable Scene of De.
strnciiOn and Suffering,

NEW ORLEANS, April GA Times
Democrat Wesson, Miss snecisl
says: A frightful cyclone passed
over Wesson and the town of Bean.
regard, a mile above, about four yester-
day afternoon. The wind for the mast
three days has been blowing a gale and
lowering clouds indicated a storm. Its
approach was known some minutes by
deep rumbling sounds. Windows in
the dwellings were shaking with yio>
lence, and many thought it an earth.
quake. Thunder reared and light.
ming flashed with alarming force, and
residences were torn down, and trees
uprooted and cast one hundred wards
away. East Of the railroad in Wesson
the damage is light, but 10 the west
portion of the town the destruction
was terrible IN its character. AS soon
as the storm had somewhat abated and
the people began to look about, loud
peals from the church bells rang out
and the people were seen running from
ail directions towards West Wesson,
The rain meantime was pouring in
torrents. On reaching Peach Orchard
street an indescribable scene was wit
messed. This street was lined with a
number Of houses in which Operatives
OF the Mississippi mills are domiciled
and here the greatest destruction oc.
CURED. People were seen on all
sides sob6iug, and the groans of the
wounded beneath the ruins were ner.
tectly appalling. Dwellings were torn
to atoms, and the pine forest Just be-
yond was blown out of existence
The work of removing the dead and
extricating the wounded from the
ruins then began. Calvin Reid. liy-
ing In the vicinity, died from excite
ment. Drs. Sexton, Rease and Butler
we're soon upon the scene aud did ali
IN their power to relieve the sufferinrs
OF the wounded 1t is estimated that
the number Of killed was twelve
Two or three children are missing
One hundred and fifty or two hun.
dIed dwellings were blown down.
The number of people with broken
limbs is estimated By physicians At
seventy-fve The wounded were re>
moved as fast as possible to houses
which escaped injury. Several of the
dead lay out in violent rain more
than an hour after the storm. The
dead are now all laid out and collins
are being made for them. The mills
will not run to day. The citizens are
doing all in their power for the
wounded, many Of whom, it is feared
will die. A special train with pbysi.
clans from McUomb City and Brook.
haven arrived last evening at Al
o'clock. Another extra special viii
be here with additional help from
Magnolia and Summit. Some of
these physicians 90 to Beauregard
where the destruction to life and
property is simply indescribable.
Among the killed inv essen areMrs
Causty and two children; several chill.
dren OF j. b. Gibson, one of whom
was found crushed under a chimney
Two persons are 80 mangled az 10 be |
unrecognigable aud several others
whose names could not be obtained in |
the confusion. A little boy was found |
In the woods several hundred ward, |
away, unhurt. Wesson. excent 10 Inc
locality mentiQEed, suaered little |
exqepg IN the general destruction of
forest trees. The deceased will be-
buried to morrow.
Beauregard was visited last. 1t is |
only a mile above here aud lay in the |
direct path Of the cyclone. The scene
is absolutely appalling. Reauresard |
is no more. 1t is in truth mass Of
ruins. 1t Is difficult that one can ride
through, so thickly are trees strewn
across the road. There is not house
u any character standing in the Diace /
Two brick stores. occupied by Thomp.
son y Co and N. Daniel 4 10, the
largest IN the PLACE, were swept away.
Timber is scattered for miles around
Even out In the country, two and a
half miles, dwellings were swept away.
LIST OF THE DEAD AND WOUNDED.
JohnRoss, MORALLY wounded; young
Milton Storey, killed; Morgan James
nortally wounded; Isaac Bloom, seri
'usly wou1dedi NJ NJ. Daniels, NOR
ally wounded; Mr.. Turnbuil, of
BrOokhaven, fatally wounded; Captain
Lampkins, wife and child, ell dead
ieorge Holloway, mortally wounded;
Yrs. Holloway, leg broken.
The depot was swept away and not
sign OF it now remains Mr.. Wilcox
lad both arms broken; A. j. Fergu
on and family, including ten persons,
dangerously wounded; DR.. Albert G.
Pierce and child, mOrtally wounded,
heir house fell on them; j. 0. vii.
Jams killad