The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-21
TORNADO SWEPT.
Long Stretch of Territory in
Storms Path.
Heavy Loss of Life and Prop
erty Reported.
NINETEEN ARE KILLED
The Town of La Grange Suffers
Most Severely.
Extends From Memphis toNash-
vile With Varying Severity.
Death of 81 Persons Reported
From Columbia.
NINETEEN ARE KILLED

Memphis, Tenn, Nov. z1-A tornado
bounding through a narrow stretch of
territory from q. point three miles north
of Lula, Miss, to La Grange, Tenn,
caused a heavy loss of life and prop
erty yesterday afternoon. From meagre
details obtainable, covering only three
points, it appears that nineteen lives were
lost and the destruction of property was
also heavy. 1t is believed that between
the towns heard from numerous farm
houses and interior communities of more
or less considerable poulation were
struck. Accompanying the tornado was
a rain storm of terrific proportions
The tornado struck the town of La
Grange, Tenn, 49 miles east of Memphis
on the Southern railway in Fayette
county. Only one church is left standing
in the town. The streets are Uttered with
the debris of destroyed buildings, mer-
chandise and telephone wires and poles
Several persons are dead and wounded
The dead recovered up to the time the
correspondent left on the evening train
to bring the report to Memphis are:
Walter L Moody, assistant manager
of the Panlzy & Gather Plow Manufac-
turing company.
Wife of Brown May, cOlOred.
Negro woman, unknown.
Six persons were injured more or less
seriously and ten business places were
totally destroyed.
The Methodist, Baptist and Presby-
terian churches were demolished. The
residence portion of the town also Suf-
fered heavy loss, several building being
completely demolished and a large num-
Der damaged.
A perfect deluge of rain was falling
when the cyclone came, but its advance
was foretold by roaring, rushing sound
followed by quick, heavy reports which
gave the inhabitants warning and they
rushed out from the falling buildings.
Meagre reports from towns along the
line of the Illinois Central railway in
North Mississippi state that the tornado
wrought much havoc. Thirteen persons
are reported killed between Love sta
ton and Coldwater. The tornado made
it's appearance at about 1880 o'clock this
afternoon and swept everything in its
path. Trees were uproOted and fences
and outhouSeS were leVelled to the
ground. TeIegraphs and telephone wires
are down and details are lacking.
At Coldwater several houses were deS-
troyed and the daughters of John Guy
and John Danny were seriously injured.
A negro child was killed three miles
north of town The cyclone passed from
southwest to northeast and struck Bates
vile about 4 o'clock Several houses
were demolished and seven persons were
more or less injured. The Methodist
church was unroofed.
Nashville, Tenn, Nov. 21.-The storm
last night was the most destructive in
many years Two lives are reported lost
and much damage done at 1aVergne, 10
miles from Nashville. At West Harpeth
and Thonpsons station a number of
houses were blown down. A child was
killed at the latter place. Two persons
were killed and several FATALLY injured
at Nolensville, Williamson county. 1t
is reported a number of persons were
killed in Maury county.
Memphis, Tenn, Nov. 21.-Love'S sta
ton, Miss, reports no one killed out
right by the storm of yesterday after
noon in that vicinity. So far as known
J. L. Doney was fatally injured by fall
ing tinbers A dozen houses were
wrecked and much other property dam
age done. The course of the storm was
down the Cold Water river. There Is
no definite news of the effects along
that stream at points distant from Cold
Water.
STORMS WORK AT NOLENSVILLE
Memphis, Tenn, Nov. 21.-Telephone
and telegraph line wires are down along
the line of the Illinois Central railroad
between Memphis and Grenada, Miss,
where is located the path of yesterday S
storm. consequently news of the disaster
can only be obtained from incoming
trains and will probably not be aValla-
BILE until late today.
Near Nolensville. Miss, Mamie Hamp-
ton was killed. James Hampton was IN
ternaIly injured and will die. Emma
Black Hampton were seriously injured
James Chrisman's house was blown
away and his baby is missing. The home
of J. D. Vernon was demolished and
Mrs. Bromlet, a sister killed.
HAVOC AT COLUMBIA.
Birmingham, Ala, Nov. PA special
to the Age-Hera1d by long distance tel
ephone from Columbia, Tenn, says:
A terrific cyclone, moving in a west
erly and northwesterly direction, struck
this place at $3.50 o'clock last night and
left havoc in its path.
The northern and western sections of
the city, which are populated prin-
cipalIy by negroes, were almost entire
w swept away. Fifteen persons are
known to have been killed and it is
feared that this number will be largely
increased by later reports. The dead
MISSES FLORENCE AND EVELYN
FARRELL
CAPTAIN A. F. AYDOLETTE, WIFE
AND ONE SON ;another son and daugh-
MISS KATET FORSYTHE
JAMES CHERRY AND SIX NE
GROES, names unknown.
The cyclone lasted for about five min
utes and its path extended about one
thousand feet wide, which is clearly
marked by devastation.
Many houses, including a large num-
Der of negro cabins, were blown down
and many others unroofed and other
wise damaged. The surrounding fences
Of the United States arsenal damaged,
blown away, but the building remains
intact.
A freight train on the Nashville, Flor
ence & Sheffield railway was lifted from
the track but as far as reported none of
the passengers or the crew was injured.
MEMPHIS LINE ESCAPES.
Kansas City, Nov 21--A telegram re-
ceived at the general offices of the Kan
sas City. Fort Scott & Memphis railway
in this city this morning from its Mem
phis representatives says that nineteen