New-York tribune., 1906-03-04
DEATH LIST REACHES 10
uerd'an's Property Loss Estimated
at 81 OOO,OO0-ConUicts HelD;ng

| Meridian. Miss. March 3.-Nineteen persons arr
known TO have been killed IN the tornado which
swept over this city shortly after d m. ves
! terday Twenty-four persons We're injured ami
property loss is estimated at one million dollar.
Many sensational reports We're sent out rro.
Here due probably to the chaotic condition OF
| affairs Immediately following the storm.
1 mass meeting was called to-day and sS OOf
| was Immediately subscribed TO aid ths destttut.
and injured The Mississippi Legislature In ses.
sion at jackson to-day appropriated $4,000 for
| the relief fund
Governor Vardaman dispatched a special trais
loaded with cOnvicts TO Meridian at noon ro-day
They are aiding in the rescue work
Hunter George, president Of the Board Of
Trade, was made chairman Of the general relief
committee and j. W. Donovan was elected sec.
retary. Business is practically suspended. ana
every citizen is giving his best effort toward
alleviating the sufferings of many poor people.
The tornado which played such havoc appeared
in the southwest at 6:27 D. m y low, funnes
shaped cloud was seen 10 form near the city
A heavy rain had been falling when suddenlY
with roar that could be heard a great distance
the storm descended upon the city. The great
est loss of life is reported from the East End in
which is known the Cotton NIilT' settlement
The large cotton mill there was partiall,
wrecked. and probably four hundred small
houses were demolished or badly damaged. Tho
tornado swept Front street and wrought great
havoc there. The electric light plant was dis.
aoled and the city was in darkness Till this
morning.
Lanterns candles and even lamps were used
by the people in seeking places of safety T,bs
tornado also did severe damage on Twenty-sec-
ond avenue. between Front and Railroad streets
several houses in this avenue were partially
wrecked The storm lasted for only brief PEI
riod. many people asserting that the entire deS
struction was wrought in five minutes
Among the buildings destroyed or practicaIly
ruined were those OF the Thomas Lyle Grocera
Company. Elmira's restaurant. the SIeyer-Ne-
Vile Hardware Company. the Grand Avenus
Hotel. ThOrnton's Transfer Company. the CuI-
pepper Hotel. the New-OrIeans & Northeastern
freight depot the Young Mems Christian Associ-
alton. the Meridian Chair Company. the CITY,
Electric Light Plant. w J. Woodside & Co. thu
Pearce Compress Company. the Gulf Compress
Company and innumerabIe smaller buildings
used by workmen and negroes.
IL is generally understood that there was but
little IL any tornado insurance carried. and tns
loss will therefore fall heavily upon the owners
of the damaged property.
The militia is keeping the crowds back. while
the search Of the ruins progresses. The citt-
zens held meeting to-day and organized ros
relief work. Many persons reported missing ara
believed to be dead under the wreckage in thu
business district
The property loss is difficult TO estimate but 4,
is believed 1t will run above S1.O00OO0 The city
is In darkness again tonight. and doubtless will
be for some time. the electric light plant was
badly damaged and wires OF all kinds are down
A special train has arrived from Jackson
with Governor Vardaman. one hundred men,
oers or the Legislature and many physicians.
who are aiding in the relief work
Hundreds OF families are homeless. as tbe
houses of many completely demolished.
The streets are piled high with debris. and ir
may be several days before the full number oe
the dead can be known. Many pedestrians were
their way home when the tornado struck
VIII Ethridse. young man, carried one
hundred yards through the air and set down well
balanced on his feet unhurt
Among the buildings destroyed ara the Msrid-