The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-04-12
SWEPT BY WINDST0RMS.
Great Damage Done in the
South and West.
Several Towns in Mississippi Be.
ported Nearly DESTROYED.

Scattering reports coming to Memphis
from points in West Tennessee and North
ern Mississippi indicated that terrific tor
nado had whirled up the Mississippi Valley
from the southwest, crushing and sweeping
away everything in It's mad path.
Telegraph wires in every direction were
twisted into tangles and communication
with the storm-swept localities was exceed
inely difficult and unsatisfactory.
Trains from the East reaching the city late
in the afternoon and evening brought re-
ports Of widespread destruction. Passen-
gers on the Yazoo and Mississippi valley
train told Of the destruction OF Tunica,
Miss.
The Birmingham train due in Memphis at
$50 O'clock could not get to Memphis until
after o'clock, men being compelled to chop
and remove trees of the track between
Memphis and Kelly. which is situated about
thirteen miles from Memphis.
The swath of the storm as 1t crossed the
Kansas City Memphis and Birmingham
road seemed to embracea territory between
Cooperville and Olive Branch. Dozens OF
houses huge trees and barns were RACED TO
the ground by the violence Of the storm.
Ths damage at Tunica, Miss, was very
great. Houses were crushed like egg shells.
The ruthless visitor fingered over the town
scarcely two minutes aud yet in that time
the greater part Of the town was destroyed.
The knights Of Pythias and Masonic Hall ts
now only heap Of timber. The roof OF the
Court House was carried away. .
When the storm subsidized cries and
screams Of children were heard from the
colored schoolhouse, where lou chlidren
had been gathered at their lessons: The
building, two-story frame, had been blown
ii hov = fba xUa q
struggling children. None was killed, but
there were many MANNED and bruised, some
with broken arms and some with fractured
skulls. The loss to property will 20 into tne
hundreds Of thousands.
Trainmen on the Kansas City, Memphis
and Birmingham Railroad reported that
Kelly, Miss, was wiped of the face OF the
earth, nota soul being left to tell the tale. l..
Cleveland, Miss, was severely damaged
by the tornado, losing 9 fue church and
number Of dwellings. There was no loss OF
life.
A special from Charlottesville, Ark,
states that severe wind blew down several
houses in that town. :,
Il was also reported that tornado had
devastated Bowling Green, KY. All wires
were down to that point and nothing definite
could be learned concerning the disaster.
A wind storm Of remarkable violence
visited Indianapolis Ind, doing about
100000 damage and injuring two
persons. The Bfown-Ketcham Iron Works
were partially unroofei. One OF the big
mills Of the Cerealine Company was un-
rooted. and the roof in falling struck Charles
Myers, a workman, breaking his leg. The
third story of the Indianapolis coffin
factory, three blocks away was blown
of. Next to this factory Is q boarding house
and saloon owned by Charles Bennke.
which was unroofed, and Mrs. Bsnhke had
her foot crushed. Mr.. Benhke was bruised.
A number OF sheds stables and TWO frame
houses In course Of construction were demol'
ished. 80
Dispatches from Kansas and Missouri say
that a severe storm RACED generally over the
two States. The rainfall was very heavy
and generally benefited the crops: AT ok-
lahoma City q number Of buildings were
blown down and several OF them were
The slate roof Of this State Insane
Asylum at Nevada, No., was damaged ano
the house Of the engineer OF the asylum
blown down. In Kansas the rain Waa
general all over the western part OF tna
State.
The eastern part of Charlton County.
Missouri, was visited by hurricane, killing
live stock ana destroying great deal OF
other property. The dwelling house OF Mrs.
Samuel Gunn was destroyed. Two persons
were killed In the same neiGhbornood.