The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1909-05-06

Millions in Property Wrecked
by Severe Storm in
the South.
TENN. THE GREATEST SUFFERER

About Fifty Meet Death in that State
Aione-storm Felt Worse I'm vicin.
ity of Chattanooga-The Tornado
was Very General Over q Large
Part OF the south and West-sey.
eraI Vessels Are Lost ON the Great
Lakes - Property Loss Reaches
into the Millions.
Atlanta. April 30.-An epidemic Of
cyclones and tornadoes. the like of
which have not been known for
years, swept through the South last
night and today. leaving In their
wake hundreds of dead and mangled
bodies and the dismantle wrecks of
property worth many millions.
An exact list Of the dead. and an
accurate estimate of the monetary
loss may not be compiled for days.
but from all along the path of the
storm come tales OF fearful loss of
life and descriptions Of whole towns
and villages completely wiped out.
The storm wave seems to have had
its origin in the North, and swept
from the Lake Region south in irreg-
ular fashion, now moderating its
force as though spent, now growing
more turbulent and angry. Tennes-
see was an especially heavy sufferer.
At 10 o'clock tonight careful esti-
sons were killed in the Volunteer
State alone, while the loss in dollars
and cents will not fall short of a
million. At Franklin and in Hills
boro there was loss of life. The
latter town is said to be practically
destroyed, and at Centerville and ad-
joining villages the damage is re-
ported to be very heavy, both in lives
and property. Near Pulaski, in Giles
County, the death list reached IL and
many were injured.
Communication Hindered.
In the vicinity of Chattanooga the
storm was felt at its worst. AS in
other parts of the State, the tele-
phone and telegraph wires were
blown down and the movement of
trains was greatly hampered. The
hurricane followed the Cumberland
Valley. wrecking small towns and
destroying farm houses. At Eben-
eZer Is houses were blown down.
At Knoxville the greatest damage
was from interference with COM
mercc.
At Charlestown the storm swerved
up the Hiawassee river from the Ten
nessee valley, destroying much prop
erty. AT Fayetteville Is are said to
nave perished.
At Cuba many houses were blown
down, and at Gilestown not even a
shed was left standing. No fatan-
ties were reported from either place,
but information is very meager.
Memphis reports heavy loss from
towns within a radius of 100 miles,
in three States.
At Horn Lake, Miss, half dozen
lives were lost and the property dam
age was very heavy. From neigh
boring towns come tales Of men,
women and children killed and homes
wrecked.
The tornado swept over into Ar
kansas and killed eight persons near
Mammoth Springs, besides wrecking
a score of buildings. Other points
in Arkansas report heavy loss.
Striking Alabama and headed in
a southeasterly direction, the hurri-
cane continued upon its course Of de-
struction tonight. Huntsville sends
word of heavy loss of property. with
a number of lives sacrificed. At DAN
Vile, in Morgan County, in Alabama,
the storm struck with terrific force.
At Hartsell at least one is dead, and
many hurt. The storm is still rag
ing and seems to be travelling almost
directly southeast.
Soon after dark tonight the storm
winds began shooting across the rail-
way telegraph and telephone lines
connecting Atlanta with Chattanooga
and Knoxville, and wire communica-
ton in the afternoon ceased entirely.
The Western and Atlanta Railroad
Offices here reported that south Of
Chattanooga, near Emerson, Ca.
several big trees were blown across
the railroad right of way, tearing
down wires and holding up five
trains,
Scores of telegraph wires were lost
in the vicinity of Rome, Ga, about
dark, indicating that the storm was
sweeping over that section.
The death totals were swelled to-
night by three lightning victims at
Monroe, Ga. Late today a rushing
windstorm accompanied by binding
lightning, broke over Monroe. and
one of the bolts struck the residence
of NJ. B. Barrett, running down the
chimney. Barret, his wife and his
17-year-old daughter were killed,
and a 10-year-old son and a younger
child were seriously shocked.
A Later Report.
Atlanta, Ga, May 1.-The storm
| which for three days has been-sweep-
in, eastward across the Southern
States, tonight was passing out oil
the South Atlantic States into the At.
lantic ocean.
| Despite three days OF snuffing ou'