The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-04-06
over 100 DEAD
IN MISSISSIPPI,
SAYS RED CROSS
IS Bodies Are Recovered
in TupeIo; TWo-Thirds
of City Destroyed.
APRIL 6. 1896
Continued From Page Ono

ing Lee County. of which Tupelo is
the seat, its path was across several
Negro communities. 1t was feared
that the death toll in each would
be heavy.
The twisting wind struck only a
corner of Bonneville, and destroyed
six houses. One was the home of
j. o. Robertson, county supervisor
and prominent in civic and social
affairs in northeast Mississippi
Robertson, 81, his daughter law,
26, and his granddaughter, Peggy
Ann Robertson, 4, we're killed.
His wife, so, and his son, Guy
25, were injured critically and may
not survive. o. j. Robertson, an
other son, and James Sidney Rob-
ertson. his 10-months-old son, were
less seriously hurt
Air Heavy With Debris
Frank Hutcheson, Is, died in the
wreckage of his parents home at
Red Bay. Mr.. and Mrs. r. w.
Brooks were injured critically. About
IL houses were wrecked in that
community of 1900 population.
The tornado was generated in a
huge storm area that included most
of Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas,
and a part of Tennessee. Heavy
rain alternating with hail had been
falling all yesterday afternoon and
evening.
Out of this murky wet night the
swirling wind cone hit with the fury
and speed of thunder bolt. 1t hit
here at $40 amid the crashing Of
buildings and trees and t. tinkling
OF broken windows. Witneo yes said
the air was heavy with flying tim
bers and other debris.
City Unwarned, Unprepared
1t struck city unwarned and
unprepared. In less than 10 min
utes 1t had destroyed homes, stores
and public buildings, leveling
path across two-thirds of the city,
and had raced on to destroy a CCC
camp one mile to the west. After
that, 1t seemed to have diSsipated.
The electric lighting system failed
even while the wind cone spun and
telephone and electric poles crashed
to earth. The resulting darkness
added to the suffering and panic.
For the first few minutes after the
wind passed, survivors ran through
the black streets screaming ana
shouting.
But in very short time some or
der was established in and rescue
work began.
Summons Outside Aid
Only one telephone line leading TO
the outside world was left intact
and within 20 minutes authorities
had Communicated it to summon
aid form surrounding cities as far
south as Jackson in the center of
the state. and from Memphis, o5
miles northwest.
Within an hour ambulanceS,
trucks and passenger cars were rae
ing along the gravel roads, made
slippery and dangerous by prolonged
rain. toward the city.
Soon after midnight, ambulances
and private cars were carrying the
injured to New Albany, Pontotoc,
and other towns nearby. An hour
later doctors and nurses arrived
from Memphis in ambulances and
established an emergency hospital
in the courthouse, where they
worked over the injured by the yell
low light of farm lanterns.
Claims Damage 100000
Soon after dawn a special train
arrived from Memphis with COM
plete hospital equipment, medical
and food supplies, and doctors, sur
geonS and nurses.
At daybreak, a Tupelo insurance
man with much experience in APP
praising local property toured the
residential districts and estimated
property damage at 100000.
One Of the worst hit districts was
that around the municipal water
tower and reservoir largely inhabited
by Negroes. The water tank was
blown down and survivors told of
seeing at least 20 Negroes blown
into the reservoir. Several bodies
had been recovered and workers
were dragging for more.
Survivors told narrowing stories.
Several saw bodies being hurtled
through the air with gerat velocity.
Roofs were lifted from buildings and
set down a quarter mile away. Trees
were jerked up by their roots and
carried hundreds of yards.