WE have already acquainted our readers with a note in the SIGNS of the fearful cyclone which swept thru five states of the South the night of April 23. Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia felt its fury. It did not confine itself to localities, as such storms usually do, it was remarkably wide in extent. Science now names these tremendous storms cyclones, and the whirling local winds which are developed out of them tornadoes. Many tornadoes were developed out of this cyclone.
Immediately on the receipt of the telegraphic news of the storm, we wired Elder E. L. Maxwell, president of Louisiana Conference, dwelling at Hammond, La., right near the stricken district, asking him to furnish us news as well as photographs. He was unable at the time of writing us, April 30, to furnish anything outside of Amite, a thriving little city in the central part of Louisiana. But these scenes of destruction are typical of many, many others.
The three states which suffered most are Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. The loss of life in the Natchez district, on both sides of the river, reached a total of 110. Fearful pranks were cut by the storm. For instance, it is stated that in one place a large tree was broken in the middle and the top carried 250 feet away. Sheet iron was carried more than twenty miles outside the tornado's track. Many tree trunks were left standing in the path of the storm in Concordia parish across the river from Natchez in Louisiana, but not a leaf was to be seen on any of them. Buildings everywhere were wrecked. Governor Noel of Mississippi states that the section immediately adjacent to Hattiesburg suffered most in that state. The steamer "Miriam," near Helena, Ark., was struck by the storm and went down with about seventy-five on board. Report declares that the wind picked up the craft clear of the water, whirled her round, and dropped her again in the midst of the troubled waters below. When she struck the water, she capsized. Thirteen of the seventy-five perished before help could reach them, and many others were injured by bruises and scalds. The "Miriam" was a sixty-five ton boat.
The condition of the little city of Amite is indicated by the photo reproductions on these pages; and all around the city it is stated that a terrible situation is revealed. At State Line, Miss., in the lumber woods, nineteen are reported dead, and over fifty injured. In many places in the country everything was swept away that was movable,—fences, buildings, live stock. Large loss of life occurred at Cave Springs, Ga., twenty-five persons being reported dead. At least one hundred were killed in a dozen towns which were afflicted in the state. There is not a house left standing in the storm-swept area. Twelve were killed at Chipley. Many houses were unroofed in the southeastern section of Atlanta. The storm then jumped nearly a mile where three houses standing close together were demolished, while houses on the opposite side of the street were left untouched. Vivid electrical displays accompanied the torrents of rain, and many houses were struck by lightning.
JUDGE CLAY ELIOTT'S RESIDENCE
The New Orleans "Picayune" of the 28th states, "The figures of the storm of Friday will reach 400 killed and 500 injured," and that belated reports add to these death lists. Elder Maxwell, however, writes two days later that "property loss will reach over a million, and 500 is the death list so far, with bodies still being found far out in the woods; and deaths are occurring every day from injuries." It is impossible even to note the names of the places and the various terrible incidents which occurred in different localities, but the storm has indeed been a serious one for the South. Officials and people are doing all they can and have come with large generosity of heart to the relief of those who have suffered, but many are beyond their sufferings, and many others probably will never be reached because their need will never be known.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
A few years ago such a storm as this would have aroused the feelings, interests, and sympathies of people thruout the whole country; now, outside of the locality where it occurs, little mention is made of it, and reports are minimized as much as possible. All these things ought to assure the readers of God's word that the earth is "waxed old like a garment." It is nearing its end, and these fearful storms that sweep its surface, occurring more and more frequently, are omens of its early dissolution. Just beyond that lies the new heavens and the new earth, and the reign of earth's eternal King, Christ Jesus.
