LOUISIANA TORNADO CLAIMS NINE LIVES.

Alexandria, La., (AP) -- A tornado hopscotched across Central Louisiana early today, killing at least nine persons and injuring more than 20 others.
Seven died in the storm's fury at the rural community of Leander, 20 miles southwest of Alexandria.
Homes ripped into firewood marked the tornado's path.
The storm cut off power temporarily in the Alexandria area and hampered communications.
The LaSalle Parish sheriff's office at Jena said SHERRY LEE PRESTRIDGE, the three-week-old daughter of DAVIS PRESTRIDGE, and JOHNNY PENDARVIS, 11-month-old son of JOHN PENDARVIS, were killed at Tullos. Fifteen persons were reported injured there.
The LaSalle officials said at least 20 houses were destroyed or damaged at Tullos.
At the Paradise community, 10 miles north of here, four highway employes sleeping in a trailer were carried on a wild 100-yard ride by the raging winds. The extent of their injuries was not known.
Some property damage was reported at Paradise.
The twister narrowly missed the Veterans Administration hospital five miles north of Alexandria, but no one was injured and no property damage was reported there or in the city.
The twister also struck at Hineston and Dry Prong in Rapides Parish and at other communities.

Daily Capital News Jefferson City Missouri 1953-12-04
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!