The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1900-11-23
From Wednesdays DAILY HERALD


The worst disaster that has ever been
befallen the fair, God blessed county of
Maury occurred last night, when tor
nado in all It's terrific fury passed through
here, leaving death, disaster and desola-
ton it its wake.
1t is impossible at the present time to
give complete details of the terrible
calamity, as telephone and telegraph
wires throughout the county are pros
trated but even in this immediate Sec
ton the loss of life and the injury to
persons and property are terrible.
Yesterday the atmosphere was warm
and sultry, showers falling all throughout
the day and the sun breaking through
the CLOUDS at intervals. Early In the
night it began lightning, the rain be-
gan to fall more steadily, and there were
rumblings Of distant thunder.
This continued until about half past
nine O'Clock, when suddenly there arose
the sound of distant rolling and rumb-
ling, as of the rushing of mighty waters.
| Then, ere one had scarcely time
| to realize what was happening,
the tornado bore down upon the unsus-
pecting victims like thousand howl
ing demons, each tearing and tugglng
at the other in their wild endeavors to
create disorder and confusion.
| The storm lasted only few minutes.
But in that 81 ort time death and de-
struction held unrelenting sway, and
many were hurled without moments
warning into eternity.
The Path of the Storm.
The storm passed through West End
and the section northwest of the city
making path only about 300 yards in
width, from southwest to moi tn east,
and hardly touching the corporate
limits of the city. The main part of the
city hardly felt the effects of the storm,
although the noise of the wind was
terrific, and many of the mole tender
hearted listened with fear and tremb-
ling.
This Mornings Scenes.
When the sun arose this morning,
it shone down brightly upon scene of
sorrow and desolation, as though en-
deavoring to scatter the clouds of gloom
that had settled down upon the hearts of
saddened city. 1t smiled brightly,
but it met only looks of gloom and sor-
row.
Many could be seen with blanched
faces and hushed voices as they collected
in crowds and related the sickening
details of the disaster, and large mum
bers went out to view the effects of the
storm gods wrath.
Effects of the Tornado.
Houses were lifted completely off their
| foundations and hurled in pieces hun.
dreds of yards away; large forest trees
we're torn from the earth as though
they had been mere weeds and sent
crashing to the ground; human beings,
live stock, fences, out -houses--anything
everything that CHANGED to be in in the
tornado's path, were caught up like
feathers and borne away on the pinions
of the wind.
Words are inadequate to describe the
effects caused by the storm. Between
West End and White Spring it is es
timated that at least fifty houses-most
of which were negro cabins-were com.
pletely destroyed. Bed quilts and ar
ticles of furniture may be seen lodged
high up in the branches of trees.
| Il
ant pike was blown away. the only
thing left being the gate The keeper
was injured and his wife killed.
The two story frame residence of Mr.
j. X. Farrell was completely destroyed,
hardly board being left to show
where it once stood. At this place
Mr.. Farrell's two daughters, Misses
Florence and Evelyn, we're killed,
their bodies being blown about 10t
yards from tho house. His son
Mr.. Lee Farrell, was also injured. Mr.
Farrell was spending the night at tn,
Hatcher home, Mr.. Hatcher being ava,
in New York and Mrs. Hatcher in NV
Orleans.
The houses Of Messrs. E. III. Hatche
and j. L. Jones and Mrs. Sam Taylor
! situated only short distance from tn,
Farrell dwelling, escaped without seri
Gus injury
Mrs. Beecher's house was lifted off it
foundation ana & m ID completed,
around, and the kitchen was takel
away.
The house next door, belonging 70 Mn
Alice Smith, in which the families o
, Messrs. Harrington and Watts, tw
, soldiers, we're living, was swept away
Mrs. Watts was badly hurt, her spin
being injured. Mr.. Watts was also in
jured about the head.
The residence Of Mr.. Summerton wa
practically wrecked. the kitchen bein
blown away, bat nobody was hurt.
Four Killed in One Family.
The worst effect Of the tornado wa
lat Capt. A. r. Aydelott's home, wher