The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-06

Edward Steward.
 H. H. Ferguson or Jackson.
 Aue Brothers of Bayou Sara.
 New Orleans April 5.--Probably fifteen lives were instantly plotted out today by a tornado which swept across portions of three gulf states, which was distinctly traceable for distance of 300 miles ana which took about eleven hours in cross ing this zone.
 The tornado moved from west to east, crossing the southern extremities or Louisiana and Mississippi and striking ineo Alabama for d short distance. For tior of four towns were devastated and damage probably exceeding half a million dciiars was done, for in addition to the places in which the tornado manifested fatal violence. the disturbance did gem eraI damage to property, crops and tele- graph wires throughout it's 300 mic course.
 Tie tornado began at Alexandria, La, soon after 1 o'clock this morning. in- stantly killing four persons there, prob sbly fatally injuring three and seriously injurng thirteen others.
 5oon after daylight it neared the Mis- sissippi river. instantly killing five per- sons at Jackson, La, while at Bayou Sar-, La, at feast half dozen others are reported killed. There was one fatal injdry at Jackson.
 The tornado next appeared at Carson. Miss, where great property damage was done and the last heard of 1t was about noon near Selma. Ala, where the inhab- itants saw whirling clouds rise into the air as they crossed the river. One death. a negro. was reported near Selma, but no confirmed.
 A Fearful Experience.
 Alexandria, town of'about 160O0 inhab- hu1 a When the tornado struck the electric lights went out, the cracking of falling buildings could be heard above the noise of the wind. and vivid lightning flashes showed such sights as an empty Iron Mountain pas senger train rolling over and over.
 Immediately after the wind spent it's violence a heavy haistorm added to the general discomfort. Luckily the main portion of Alexandria escaped the worst of the tornado, which cut path through the northern part of the town, resi- dence section.
 About score of homes were complete ly wiped out, fifty were damaged and al- together about 100 buildings were serl- ously wrecked, including several business houses. The Iron Mountain railroad lost it's round house.
 freak of the wind drove small section of house into one of the empty passenger coaches, wedging these two bodies almost inextricably together.
 In the woods about the town the tor nado cut down trees and small cabins in a narrow line about nine miles long, Sev- erai houses were blown down at Pine vile and injuries were reported.
 Hail Does Damage.
 The hail did much damage to crops. At daylight Alexandria began the work or clearing the debris, Mayor Turner organ faf q damage was estimated at s2OO,0c1.
 Details are meagre from Jackson, La. The insane asylum there was almost wholly wrecked with loss of about $20O,- 000 In addition to the three female in- mates many others were injured. Mrs. Zach Leas residence was blown down, and first reports said that her daugh- ter, Mary Lea, had been killed, while others say she was fatally injured.
 Two negroes were killed on a nearby plantation, while reports from the sur rounding country indicated that there was probably more loss of life among negroes whose f1imsy 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 a total wreck While the breaking timbers both from the steamer and from the shore flew through the aif, the crew got all the passengers safely ashore.
 First Mate Abe Brothers 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 was blown down, also church. school house and two business buildings and several cabins.
 The tornados path was but 200 yards wide and the wind blew from the south east. From Carson the storm crossed the state line into Alabama and where if began to lose much of it's destructive power.
 Peculiar weather conditions prevailed at' day throughout South Louisiana and M sissippi Sudden rains were followed bv clear skies and gusts of wind were incessant.