The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1917-05-31
TERRIFIC TORNADO SWEEPS
THROUGH THREE STATES
West Tennessee in Path Of StOrm-Six
Dead and 80 Injured at Dyersburg
Other Towns Suffer.

Other Towns Suffer.
A terrific tornado swept over West
Tennessee. East Arkansas and South
west Kentucky Sunday afternoon, ex-
acting a heavy toll of life and proper
ty. The tornado at Hickman, Kyp was
one of the worst in history and there
was destruction Of life and property
for miles around, the total death list
being placed at 40. The power plant
at Hickman was blown down and the
city and surrounding towns were in
total darkness.
Dead were left lying where they
had been killed and the rescue parties
sent out from the city and working in
surrounding towns cared for the time
being for only the injured. Many were
cared for in the small towns, when
medical aid could be given them, and
others were taken to the hospitals in
the city.
On the large plantation Of sgd. l..
D0ddg, at Ledford, six miles south OF
Hickman, 18 persons, mostly negroes,
are known to have been killed and a
score of more injured. The injured
were carried to Hickman as fast as
possible and given medical aid. The
many houses on the plantation were
demolished by the storm. Crops also
were badly damaged, it was reported.
At Bondurant, small town near
Hickman, 80 persons are known to
have beeen injured. The town OF
Bardwell is said to be a total loss and
it is doubtful whether any of the resi-
dences have survived the storm. Many
are suffering from injuries. Clinton,
about five miles south Of Hickman,
was badly damaged and many were
injured. It is believed that some OF
the injured will die.
The storm visited Hickman and vi
entity about 4:30 o'clock Sunday af-
ternOon. II seemed to sweep wide
path and property damage was re-
ported from all sides of the city. The
storm seemed to center in district
about IL miles wide.
Large holes were torn in the ground
and many freaks were reported. The
storm was preceded by a rain and
followed by some hail, according to
reports. Luckily, there were no fires
reported, which would have greatly
increased the death list.
The death toll in West Tennessee
and Eastern Arkansas is known to
have been IL white persons and six
negroes. Between 70 and 100 persons
were injured, some Of them critically.
The path of the tornado in the above
sections was about one-half mile wide
and it happened about 4 o'clock IN
the afternoon.
The tornado struck a section of
South Dyersburg and killed five and
injured SO, destroying II houses, in
GLIDING two frame church buildings.
After the cyclone hit South Overs
burg it jumped to section OF Dyers-
burg proper occupied by colored peo-
pie and destroyed church in which
services were being held and blew
down four houses.
Roofs of several dwellings in the
country about Troy were 50. damaged
they will have TO be renewed entirely,
and in an area about three miles
square gardens were completely dew
astated and orchards stripped OF all
green fruit. 1t was the most severe
hail storm for years, not house be-
ing without its quota of broken win
dow lights. It lasted for about four
minutes in intense severity, most OF
the stones being large as hen egg.
Gates Landing, four miles north OF
Tiptonyille, in Lake county, on the
Mississippi river, reports six negores
known dead and between % and 30
whites injured, many of whom are ex-
pecetd to die. Thirty-five persons
were injured during the storm at
Sharon, Tenn. Of these two died later
Of injuries and three others are ex-
pected to die.
Besides the loss of life, the crop
and property loss in the two states
will run into the thousands of dollars.
AT Gates Landing, it was said that
the cotton crop had been badly dam
aged, as were many other crops. Many
head of cattle were reported to have
been killed in the various sections
where the storm struck.
The storm appeared to come from
the west and swooped down on the
various cities and towns. In many
places farm houses were blown down.
The path of the storm seemed to how
err close to the lines of the Illinois
Central railroad. This company's
wires were down in many places.
Iinemen were sent out from Memphis
to Dyersburg and Sharon, Tenn, to
repair the damage to the lines.
Trains were not much delayed, how
ever, and all seem to have been out of
the path of the storm when it crossed
the tracks. No other railroad report
ed any trouble in Tennessee.
Manila, Ark.-Eight dead and scores
injured.
Clear Lake, Ark.-One dead and
four injured.
LATER STORM NEWS