The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-04-21

Communication was still impaired.
but authentic information today was
that the disturbance had wrought the
greatest havoc in the three counties OF
Alabama just north OF Birmingham.
The tornado apparently struck first at
GUN. Ala, and then zlgzagged through
Northwestern Alabama, Eastern Missis-
sippi and Southern Tennessee.
The death toll IN yesterdays tornado
In Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee
follows:
Mlssiseippi--Merldiah IA. Neshoba
county 10, Glen. Alcorn county 10; Ab-
erdeen, Monroe county, 2l; Bay Springs,
Jasper county, Y lngoTnar, Union coun-
~, g.; Egypt, Chickasaw county, S; Ba-
ker. Union county, 3; Claxton, Winston
county, S; Cedar Bluff. Clay county, 3;
Starkvllle section, oktibbeha county, 3;
Rose Hin. Jasper. county, 8; Amory-
Monroe county, Q: Runnels Bridge, Lau-
derdale county 2; Reownville, Union
county @
Alabama Marion county, 20; Killing
worth Cove, Madison county, Is; Ne
hama section, Colbert county, 5; Cur
ley. Madison county. Q; Little Cove. z;
Waco. Franklin county. !.
Tennessee--Wil williamson county, l.
Appeals for aid were received from
many small towns and settlements and
Red Cross relief parties were organ.
ICED at many points. TO carry food ana
tents into the storm-swept districts.
The greatest havoc apparently was
In the three Alabama counties north
OF this place. The tornado apparently
struck first at Guin, Ala, and zig
gagged through Northwestern Alabama
and Eastern Mississippi into Southern
Tennessee.
Across the Tennessee lire 1e0 miles
from Meridian. near where it originated,
the storm still had force sufficient to
upset residences and farm building. and
to cut a swath through forests and
orchards,
The wide territory covered by the
tornado led to a belief that more than
one atmospheric disturbances was res
sponAible. Records Of similar visits
comparatively narrow limits both ar 80
length and width OF territory affected.
Reports Of the storm describe the
local destruction as having been con-
fined to path measuring from 100
10 500 yards wide within which the
cyclonic wind. when at its height, left
nothing but the most solid structures
standing.
sixteen bodies were brought int"
Hamilton, Ala. and the courthouse was
converted into hospital TO care for
scores OF injured who were arriving
throughout tho morning.
Most Of the dead brought there were
terribly mangled. In many cases arms
and legs were blown off and several
bodies were almost unrecognizabie.
Physicians and surgeons from Gutn.
Winfield. Haleyvillc. Jasper. Sulligent
and Carbon Hill rushed to the town
and medical supplies were called for.
Five members OF the Taylor family
were killed. one member OF this family.
a young woman. had a large piece of
lumber driven clear through her body
and child from the same family was
blown over half mile and killed.
Mrs Vivian Thompson was blown sew
eral hundred yards and her neck was
broken. Her husband who recently re-
turned from France where he served
In the army, was severely injured Thev
were married since his return from
overseas
Five children OF Mrs. Ida Thompson.
q widow. had a miraculous escape FROM
death They were left at home by their
mother who was taking the teacher
examination in Hamilton, and when the
storm came Up they went into the storT
cellar. The iouse was swept away.
but not one OF the children was In
jured
y. NJ Holly. rural mail carrier had
his automobile blown away but he
escaped unhurt.
Red Cross relief parties we're organ
lied in Birmingham and other large
cities In this section early odsy and
special trains ordered to carry doctors,
nurses, medicines and food to the hu2-
dreds Of sufferers.