Purvis, MS Tornado, Apr 1908

Death, Desolation and Want in Path of the Cyclone

Mississippi Bears Brunt.

Mississippi, already a sufferer from more than one cyclone this year, has again borne the brunt of the winds and rains. Reports received from that State indicate that the loss of life will be by far the greatest within her borders. Estimates on the number of those who lost thir [sic] lives as a result of the cyclone in Mississippi place the death list between 150 and 175, with a thousand or more injured.

Utter misery of every sort was found today at Purvis, Miss., by relief parties. Despite the fact that of the 2,500 inhabitants which this little town boasted yesterday morning, there were only 900 today, still there were not sufficient accommodations in the wrecked village for even the wounded.

Negro mammies and and little black children lay wounded an dhelpless [sic] under the broiling Southern rays. Some had broken bones, some were partly crushed and others had been wounded by sticks and splinters. These unfortunates were lucky if they had a blanket or storm-wrecked couch upon which to rest.

No Protection From Sun.

There was not enough shelter in the town to protect them from the sun, as many of the walls which had no roofs and by a queer freak of the tornado many of the trees which had not been uprooted had been snatched off a few feet above the ground. A grove of pines was mutilated in this manner, so that it appeared as if a giant scythe had swept through the grove about twenty-five feet above the ground.

Many hurried funerals were held today and a count of the visible dead revealed only 34, about half of them negroes. Many other negroes were reported killed in the vicinity of Purvis. The usueal [sic] freaks were played by a wind.

Roof Lifted Off Jail.

Twenty-seven prisoners were in the little town jail. The roof was lifted completely off the jail, leaving rain and debris beating in upon the exposed prisoners, but so terror-stricken were they that on one gained his freedom.

The total money loss at Purvis was estimated at $200,000. These figures were obtained from business men, each of whom calculated his individual loss. The State tonight is furnishing tents, the neighboring towns are sending supplies and martial law affords practical safety from looting.

The Lexington Herald, Lexington, KY 26 Apr 1908
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Transcribed by Linda Houston. Thank you, Linda!