The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-27
STORMS AFTERMATH
tContinued from Pn.e Io

Variousiy estimated at from S2,500 to 5000. On closer examination 1t may go higher. few feet in front of each or these stores were large wateroaks either twisted in two or blown up by the roots, but fortunately they we'll away from the buildings or there would have been complete demolition. The loss upon the Davis stock was not near so heavy. Nothing accurate can be given at this writing.
 Just about block away. diagonally in front of these stores. and much nearer the railroad track, Is the most continuous line of business houses in the place. and with the exception of three stores all of them are small wooden structures and very frail. and save at the southernmost front corner of the last building in this row.. the entire block escaped with hardly mark left to tell the story. Near the middle of this block are two brick stores, two stories in height, and look ing at the situation now 1t does seem that when the force struck that place 1t would have ruined the entire col lection of buildings. The fury of the storm, or tornado or cyclone, or by whatever other awful name one may designate 1t seems to have leaped over the block or whirled about and veered to the northwest at the northern end of the block and next struck the Davis and Norwood stores. and again as if to emphasize the 'freakishness of the be- havor of the war of clements, there stood A little to left and somewhat further back, the old, Searcy Hotel. wooden building which escaped un- harmed.
 Just across the street from this large block and further south stood steam ginnery which is a scene of devasta- tion. Still further south is the hand some Jordan home. The kitchen imne- diately in the rear was demolished, and near by was a private residence which was moved some distance, the rear DOT 'tion was torn to pieces, the inmates were pinioned down by timbers, but miraculously escaped unhurt. The La mar home still further south, contrary to the statement already made in this paper. was damaged but little. All Of this part of the town lies west. or on the right-hand side of the railroad go- ing south, where the most considerable business of the place was done.
 East Side Uninjured.
 On the opposite side of the track are but few stores, and with the exception of the Hattemer and Bell stores. but little damage was done to business ln- terests. This part of the town Is on high ground. the general level Of >he town being 5s5 feet above sea level. The injury to the Bell building, wooden structure. does not seem to have been heavy. The Hattemer, two story brick building just across the street from the Bell store. at hrst sight did not have the appearance Of having suffered to any considerable de" gree. but on entering one saw al glance that the damage was great. In this case as in all the others the harm grew out of the water falling through the roof upon the stocks. asked young gentleman working away taltn- fully yesterday to bring order out or chaos as to the extent of the damage at the Hattemer store. He shook ms head and said he was utterly unable to even approximate.
 It was a little to the east or tnls store that the armory stood. The most remarkable case of human fortituoe that came under my eye was the eH- nerience of Mrs. Jordan. She had been very i'll for weeks, and where the roof joined almost immediately over her | bed at right angles 1t was scooped out as if bitten from it's place by the Jaws of some immense monster. She | was subjected to the fearful exposure l in being moved to a neaEby neighbor's
 home, and while 1t does seem this was I enough to have shattered a well per
 son, she stood 1t bravely and is now | doing well. Let us hope she will soon | be restored to sound health, fate she richly deserves. The public school | stood not far to the southeast of this
 home and as if such a thing bug pos | sible, it was dealt with benetciently | and escaped unh armed.
 | The Sewell Hotel which stands on 1 the left of the railroad and opposite
 the depot, on the second highest point
 in the town had the roof badly injured,
 and the flood poured on the occu 1 pants, many of whom were in it at | the time. Many of them had to seek | other quarters among kind neighbors. l Thus in our stress of misery, the hu | man heart seems to overflow with
 kindness and make us god-like.
 Perfectly in line with this structure.
 there are two other buildings of one
 story. all three being connected by | porches running from one to the other
 and all are of wood. The main hotel is two stories high. It suffered prin- l cipally of the three buildings.
 Mr. Searcy's Experience.
 At the northmost end of this line
 is the private residence of MT. F. NJ. | SearcY, for many years a leading citi-
 zen of the town, and one of It's prin | cipal property owners When the
 storm came he with his wife and lit-
 tie baby boy was in his private room. 1 Mrs. Searcy having heard the terrible l sound with out, called his attention to l it. The windows were quickly closed | and he went to the door and although | being a powerful man. he pulled at the | door for some time before he was able 1 to get 1t open. This gives an idea of l the terrific power being exerted. AL | most at his door the porch connecting l with the other building was blown l down. and one of the posts thereof 1 struck near. but here the force whirled l about and passed on. Their little boy l happily unconscious of the terror of l the situation, was all this while in- l dulging in his innocent playful prat- l tie. These three good people not
 knowing but that each moment would 1 be their last, or else they be maimed for life. were somewhat reassured and ! comforted by this child. As showing ! his coolness and true nobility of heart Mir. SearcY here remarked to Mrs. Searcy: Belle, if this storm but spares you and the baby I am willing
 to give up all else" Thus the superior nature comes to us in moments of trial and makes us grand.
 Several people lay for some time in ditches drenched by the torrent. | One young man stood in the water waist deep or deeper for long while. | The wonder is that some of them had not lost their, presence of mind and been drowned In the rushing tide Yesterday afternoon about f o'clock as l sat in the hallway of the hospita- ble home of MT. Searcy there came another terrible downpour of wind It looked for while as if we would havA another repetition of the past dreadful