The Idaho Daily Statesman Articles for Lauderdale County, Mississippi

The Idaho Daily Statesman

Boise City, Idaho

March 4, 1906, Page 1

NINETEEN DEAD IN MISSISSIPPI

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Loss of Life in Tornado at Meridian Not so Great as First Reported

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PROPERTY DAMAGE PLACED AT MILLION

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TWELVE BLOCKS IN CENTER OF BUSINESS SECTION SWEPT AWAY

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Not a House Any Consequences Left Standing on Front Street - - Twenty-Four Persons Receive Injuries - - Governor Vardeman Sends Convict to Aid in Rescue Work and to Clear Up the Debris - - Relief Fund Started and Governor Appeals to People of State for Funds to Aid the Destitute and Injured.

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MERIDIAN, Miss., March 2 - Nineteen persons are known to have been killed as a result of the tornado which swept over a section of this city shortly after 6 o'clock last evening. Twenty-four persons were injured, and property with an estimate value of $1,000,000 was destroyed. Twelve blocks in the very center of the business section were swept away and not one house of any consequence along Front street was left standing.

In the terror and confusion following the storm reports of an appalling loss of life were current, but after a careful canvass of the situation, tonight the following list of dead appears to be complete:

Whites:

PATRICK MCGINNIS, conductor Mobile & Ohio

CLIFF EDWARDS, flagman

J. P. TARRY

W. B. NELSON

MRS. ELLA SINGLETON and little granddaughter

JOHN R. SMITH

MR. STEWART and little son of Cottondale

MRS. SMITH of Cottondale

CLAUDE WILLIAMS

B. F. EDMIRE, proprietor of a restaurant

Seven colored persons.

The 16 clerks in the Queen & Crescent office who were reported killed have all been accounted for.

Relief Fund Started

A mass meeting of citizens of Meridian was called today and $8000 was immediately subscribed to aid the destitute and injured. The Mississippi legislature, in session at Jackson, today appropriated $500 to the relief fund.

Governor Vardaman at noon secured a special train and loading it with convicts from the Rankin county farm, dispatched it at once to Meridian.

The city now enjoys the unique spectacle of state convicts aiding the rescue work.

Business is practically suspended, and every citizen is giving his best effort toward alleviating the suffering.

The tornado appeared in the southwest at 6:27 o'clock last evening. A low, funnel-shaped cloud was seen to form near the city. A heavy rain had been falling, when suddenly the humidity became intense. With a roar that could be heard a great distance the storm descended on the city. The greatest loss of life is reported from the east and in what is known as the cotton mill settlement. The large cotton mill there was partially wrecked and probably 400 small houses were demolished or badly damaged.

Confusion in City

The tornado swept Front street and wrought great damage there. The electric light plant was partially wrecked and the city was thrown into total darkness. Lanterns, candles and even coal oil lamps were used by the people in seeking places of safety.

The tornado also did severe damage on Twenty-second avenue between Front and Railroad streets. Several houses on this avenue were wrecked. The work of the storm lasted only for a brief period, many declaring that the entire destruction was wrought within the space of seven minutes.

Among the buildings destroyed or probably ruined were the Grand Avenue hotel, Culpepper hotel, New Orleans & Northeastern freight depot, Young Men's Christian association building, the City electric light plant, Pearce Compress company, Gulf Compress company, and innumerable smaller buildings used for residences by workingmen and negroes.

It is generally understood that little if any tornado insurance was carried, and the loss will therefore fall heavily on the owners of the damaged property.