Mexico Missouri message., 1909-03-18

vices had been held during the evening
and at their conclusion the people hur-
rled TO the townhall all eager to pay
their respects to the man whom they
had held In the highest admiration for
a dozen years or more. Street vendors
Of novelties had early come to town
from New York with large supply OF
Roosevelt banners and buttons left
over from the 1904 campaign and 1905
Inauguration and added not little to
the general animation. They had lit
tie trouble in disposing OF their left.
over wares to the natives.
For every one. the ex-president had
a hearty greeting and with many he
chatted pleasantly for q minute or
more "reminiscences were numerous
between Mr.. Roosevelt and the older
men who had know him, since an early
age. Almost every mother in the vii.
lage brought with her children, for
they all knew the ex.president 10 a
great admirer Of children.
He was especially pleased to see
them. Among those who stood In the
line with Mr.. and Mrs. Roosevelt, was
Congressman w. w. Cocks who re-
presents this district.
~~S~~~~~~-~~~D~~~>~-~ ~~~N~~~~~~~~-~~~~
Two trains reached Brinkley shortly
after daylight. One was from Helena,
the other from Little Rock. The re-
lief parties found the inhabitants al
most helpless. The shock OF the dis
aster had rendered them almost apa-
thetic, and little had been done to-
wards relieving the suffering of the
injured or caring for the dead. The
work was at once organized by the
relief parties and n thorough search
of the ruins undertaken. At noon It
was reported Is dead bodies had been
found.
In the negro section the destruction
was most complete, and, II Is said, at
least 20 negroes we're killed. Some es-
Inmates place the death list even
higher.
In the business section the scene Is
desolate. The buildings have been
twisted about and tumbled over into
the street. II Ia reported almost every
business house In the town Is now q
total loss.
The residence sections suffered Sc
verely. Houses are torn down, q few
are standing with roofs and part Of
the walls torn away, and only six are
sufficiently untouched to be habitable.
The work OF caring for the injured
Is greatly hampered because OF the
lack OF facilities. Those who are not
injured seem helpless to go on with
the work OF relief. and they, too, are
being cared for by the relief parties.
One of the biggest tasks is shelter
ing them for the night. Many will be
taken to nearby towns, and some viii
be sheltered In temporary quarters.
Work OF removing the debris from
the streets win begin at once. Shortly
after daylight q meeting OF the Bust
ness Mems Club Of Helena was called
here and arrangements were aaAe 70
care for the homeless.
A Cotton Belt passenger train due
In Little Rock at $3.50 Sunday night
was lost near Barcume. where g tornado
struck. and is reported to have besn
swept on the track. Another report
IL TO the effect that the train wa
struck by lightning.
The tornado crossed the Arkansal
river at Fourche dam and raised Q
spout Of water about 200 feet high
The same tornado passed into Bar
cume. where the extent Of the damag'
10 also unknown. and from there 4
Kerr, In Lonoke county.
All the windows in Grain betwoeE
Gurdon and Roster were blown out.
Brinkiey IL the junction point OF sew
eral important railroad systems.
LATHE Rock IL reported 70 be- aImos
cut on from the west and south.
N.nar.as, Ca ee0 oao