The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-04-07
THREE STATES STRUCK.
Louisiana, Mississippi and Ala
bama Wind Hit.
FULLY FIFTEEN KILLED.
Tornado, Besides Causing the Death
of Persons and Injury of Numerous
Otherg, Did Considerable Damage to
Property, Crops and Timber.

New Orleans. April 6.-Fifteen lives
were blotted out by a tornado which
swept across points of three gulf
states, which was distinctly traceable
for distance of 300 miles, and which
took about eleJen hours in crossing
the zone The tornado moved from
east to west. crossing the southern
extremities of Louisiana and Missis.
Bippi and striking into Alabama for
short distance. Portions of four towns
were devastated. and damage exceed
ing probably 100000 was done. for
In addition to the places in which the
tornado manifested fatal violence the
disturbance did general damage to
property, crops and telegraph wires
throughout its 300-mile course
The tornado began at Alexandria,
La. instantly killing four persons
there, probably fatally injuring three
and seriously injuring fifteen others.
Soon after daylight it neared the Mis-
sippi river instantly killing five
persons at Jackson, La. while at
Bayou, Sara La, at least half dozen
others are reported killed.
There was one fatal injury at Jack
son. The tornado next appeared at
Carson, Miss. where a great property
damage was done. and the last heard
of 1t was about noon near Selma, Ala,
where the inhabitants saw whirling
clouds rise into the air as they cross
ed the river. One death, a negro, was
reported near Selma.
In the woods about Alexandria the
tornado cut down trees and small cab
ms in narrow line about nine miles
long. Several houses were blown
down at Pineville and injuries were
reported. The hail did much damage
to crops
At daylight Alexandria began the
work of clearing the debris, Mayor
Turner organizing relief movement.
The damage Is estimated at $4,000
At Jackson, La, the insane asylum
was almost wholly wrecked, with a
loss of about 100000. In addition to
the three female inmates many others
were injured. Mrs. lack Lea's resi-
dence was blown down, and first re
ports said that her daughter Mary,
had been killed, while others say she
was fatally injured. Two negroes were
killed on a nearby plantation, While
reports from the surrounding country
indicated there was heavy loss of life
among negroes whose cabins tumbled
on the heads of their occupants.
At Bayou Sara several passengers
on the steamer Betsy Ann, running to
Natchez, had a thrilling experience.
The Betsy Ann was reduced to almost
total wreck. While the breaking
timbers, both from the steamer and
shore, blew through the air, the crew
got all the passengers safely ashore.
First Mate Abe Crothers had an arm
broken. and hardly a member of the
crew escaped without painful bruises.
At Carson, Miss. the next point. the
tornado struck the Mississippi Central
railroad depot, blew It down. also
school house and two business build
ings and several cabins. Here the
storms path was about 200 yards
wide, and the wind blew from the
southeast.
From Carson the storm crossed the
state line into Alabama where 1t be-
gan to lose much Of its destructive
power.
Peculiar weather conditions prevail
ed all day throughout south Louisiana
and Mississippi Sudden rains were
followed by clear skies, and gusts OF
wind were incessant.