The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-03-12
TORNADO in ARKANSAS
Thirty Persons Dead and Sixty
Injured in Terrific Storm.
TOWN OF BRINKLEY in RUINS
Church Only Building Standing in City.
Seventy-Five Buildings Destroyed
at Cuthbert, Ga.


Seventy Five Buildings Destroyed
at Cuthbert, Ga.
Brinkley, Ark. Thirty or more lives
Were snuHed out, sixty people were
injured and property estimated to be
worth one million dollars was destroy
ed, as a result of the tornado which
wrecked this little city. OF the known
dead, fourteen are white people.
The tornado hoyered about the city
only few minutes, but its work OF
destruction was complete. The Roman
Catholic Church, standing directly in
the path Of the storm, alone escaped
damage or destruction, and stands
grim sentinel on scene of deso-s
ltion. Main street and Cypress ave.
nue., the two principal thoroughfares
Of the town, are now impossible, and
are piled high with wreckage. from
end to end.
Every business house is in ruins,
and there is hardly a home that has
not at least suffered the loss of roof
or wing. The Arlington Hotel was to-
tally demolished Eighty guests were
registered there, but all escaped UNI
injured. The Brinkley Hotel, South
ern Hotel and Kelley Hotel were all
destroyed, without loss Of life.
Three special trains arrived from
neighboring towns, bringing relief
workers, physicians and nurses. The
Catholic Church has been converted
into hospital, and here the doctors
and nurses are caring for the injured.
The citizens of Helena have generous
| ly offered the use OF their homes for
the destitEte.
Mass meetings have been called in
Memphis, Little Rock and other cities
! to raise funds and supplies for the
| storm victims.
T. M. Kimmell. a railroad operator
| at BTinkley. one Of the first to reach q
point of communication to summon
aid for the devastated town, graphi-
cally describes the scenes Immediately
following the passing Of the storm.
Together with several companions.
Kimmell was in the Rock Island depot
I when the storm struck AS II 1t were
a toy, the substantial structure. was
twisted and broken, the occupants be-
ing caught among the falling timbers,
| bruised, but otherwise unhurt. Extri-
eating themselves after half an hours
effort, they found, in darkness, the
! streets filled with a terror-stricken
throng, their shrieks mingling with
! the means Of the injured. Intermit-
tent flashes of lightning revealed
wreckage everywhere, portion Of a
| building standing here, and again
only tangled mass Of debris. AS
| Kimmell and his companions made
their way through the streets they
| identified two of the dead and Stun
bled over others who were injured.
Huddled about the ruins OF their
homes, families we're standing in
/ groups, clinging together in terror,
while here and there searcher was
cropping about in quest of missing
member Of the household.
AS the party started to leave Brink
\ ley, intending to walk to Weakley, the
nearest town, the added horror Of fire
appeareds When two miles from
| Brinkley, Kimmell and party were
Of the gale. AS they returned, the fire
had gained Roadway, and, famed by
| the stiff wind, was spreading, but the
prompt work of citizens suppressed
| The conHagration.
Boarding an engine, Kimmell and
his companions, J. M. Wojtanuzki,
Richards, lineman, and Conductor
Gale, made quick run to Weakley,
/ bringing the news Of the storm and
an appeal for aid.
Little Rock, Ark.-Six dead and
eight injured are reported in the vi.
cinity Of Little Rock as the result
Of the tornado which passed close to
Little Rock
The Methodist Church and school
house at Mount Carmel were demol-
ished and eight houses at Hurricane
| Creek were destroyed.
Cuthbert, Ga.-The entire business
| section Of the town was swept away
! by cyclone. Had 1t not been for
protracted services, it is very probable
that several hundred people would
| have been killed. The damage will
amount to over 100000.
Between rs and 100 dwellings and
business houses were demolished,
most Of the RACED residences being
in the negro settlement. Among the
! business houses destroyed are several
brick buildings, which were literally
demolished, including four of the very
largest mercantile establishments in
! the town.
The cyclone came up suddenly from
the southwest and threw the popu-
lace in fever of excitement. Tele-
| phone wires are down, and it is inn
possible to ascertain what the dam
age is in the outlying districts.
That portion of the town which suf-
fered most was the business section.