Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1874 — The Tornado at Tuscumbia Ala.—An Appeal for Aid. [ARTICLE]

The Tornado at Tuscumbia Ala.—An Appeal for Aid.

Tc*cc*bia, Ala,, Nov. 94. A tornado struck Tuscumbia about seven o'clock last Sunday evening. It extended over about two-tliirds of the Town, doing its greatest damage in the western and northern portions. Eleven lives were lost. Miss Bettie Sherod, daughter of John Sherod, living four miles southwest from here, was killed, their house being blown down. Mrs. EHa Moore, wife of State Senator J. B. Moore, and two children were killed. T. I). llodglins, editor of the Tuscumbia, Chronicle, his. wife, and four children were killed instantly, and their house was entirely destroyed. Mrs. Judith Winston was killed by- the falling ip of the roof and upper walls of her house. Mr. Martin D. Patterson was dangerously injured, his house being blown away. Mrs. Thomas Gibbs was badly hurt, and her house blown away. She was blown across the street. The railroad bridge was blown away, and the eastern-bound train from Memphis, which was due at about 7:‘Jf) o'clock, was wrecked at the bridge, but no lives were lost. « An appeal lor aid Lqs been made, as follows:

At a meeting of the citizens of Tuscumbia, Ala., at the Court House, on Monday, No*a 23 v thenuderj= igned. - were appointed a com? mittee to publish an address aud to make an appeal to the public with reference to the terrible calamity which has befallen our community. On Sunday evening, Nov.-23, a fearful tornado passed over our city, destroying many houses, and putting to instant death a number of our citizens. Over one-third of our town is laid in ruins. The Deshlar Female Institute, just completed at a cost *f some $15,000, the Catholic Church, several large and elegant brick mansions, and a large number of frame buildings were totally destroyed. Manv buildings are also more or less'injured. The fair-ground buildings and, two mills were also destroyed. In one house the parents and four children, composing the entire family, were instantly killed. The wife and four children of J. Burns Moore were buried beneath the ruins of his fallen house. But two of the number, children, were taken out alive. The amount of property destroyed is estimated at SIOO,OOO to *150,000. This calamity has necessarily brought grief, great distress, and destitution upon our community. More than fifty houses being wrecked, many families are homeless and penniless, and need immediate aid. The citizens will do all in their power to relieve the suffering and needy, but help is earnestly solicited from abroad, as the town is so impoverished it cannot possibly supply the needed help. God has brought this desolation upon us, and we ’confidently appeal to all persons throughout the country to aid us in this our hour of calamity. Donations from any source will be thankfully received, and rna}' be forwarded to Joseph Hillman, Tuscumbia, Ala. Signed, in behalf of the citizens: Joseph Hillman. Horace P. Smith, T. 11. Davenport, John D. Inman, Lewis B. Thornton.