April 25, 1880 Paint Rock-Madison-Jackson County Tornado
April 25, 1880 Paint Rock-Madison-Jackson County Tornado
From Huntsville Independent, April 29, 1880, pg. 3:
Destructive Storm.
Three Persons Killed Outright, at Paint Rock.
Macon, Mississippi, Sustains a Fearful Loss of Life.
Giles County, Tennessee, Severely Visited.
The current spring has brought more frequent and violent storms to the West and South than was ever before known. Last Sunday night was peculiarly dangerous. Black, dense clouds with alarming discharges of lightning made the night a terrible one. Fortunately Huntsville escaped without material damage to life or property. East of us some twenty miles, the railway village of Paint Rock, Jackson county was visited. Across the river at the foot of the mountain, a Miss Edwards and two children were killed outright. In the village, although several houses were blown down, no one was seriously hurt.
It is estimated that the damage to property at Paint Rock will probably foot up $1,000.
All along in sight from the railroad is clearly visible the track of the tornado, which is marked by felled timber.
Considerable damage is reported from the Southern portions of Giles county.
A few years ago Paint Rock village was literally blown away; the depot was levelled with the earth. From this it would seem that a well-fixed hurricane course takes in the unfortunate village.
Macon, Mississippi, was a great sufferer, the same night. There, sixteen cars were blown from the track, seventeen persons killed and twenty-two wounded. The loss of property is estimated at not less than $100,000. Meridian was called on to send physicians, and six or eight have gone from there to attend the suffering.
Mr. A. Klaus, a brother of Mr. J. Klaus, of his place, writes from Macon, Mississippi that never, in all his life, had he seen anything like the terrible storm there of last Sunday night. He was with Jackson and Lee, during the war, but everything he saw in those days was child’s play compared with it.
From The Florence Gazette, May 1, 1880, pg. 3:
Storm.
We had hardly recovered from the shock of last week’s storms, when the wires bring the sad account of a frightful cyclone which struck Macon, Miss., last Sunday evening, and resulted in the loss of eighteen lives and the destruction of property amounting to two hundred thousand dollars. Twenty-two persons were injured; some seriously and others fatally it is feared. Further reports show that the storm extended over the whole of the North-west carrying death and devastation in its track. In central Illinois it reigned with intense fury; the tornado, a half mile in width, laid waste everything in its sweep. – Here the wind blew with uncommon violence for two hours, the lightning was continuous, and the rain fell in torrents but no damage was sustained. – These storms bring to mind the one which desolated Tuscumbia a few years since, and recall also the generous aid which came in from all sections of the country. Our people appreciate that liberality and will not be backward in making a return.
Paint Rock, Ala., April 27.
This place was partially blown away night before last, between 8 and 9 o’clock, the storm approaching from the west and travelling eastward. The path of the storm was about 75 yards wide, sweeping everything before it, blowing down five dwelling houses in this place and vicinity, and killing in Mr. P.M. Edward’s family three of his children; two sons and one daughter. The storm was accompanied by terrific thunder and lightning. The dwellings destroyed were occupied by families from three to eleven in number, and no one was seriously injured, except in Edward’s family.
From The Scottsboro Citizen, April 30, 1880, pg. 3:
County News.
Paint Rock.
On last Sunday night at 9 o’clock, the little village of Paint Rock had another visitation of terrible cyclone that came very near sweeping the place clean away. Is it a coincidence or is it possible that Providence is frowning upon our doomed village, “surely I will visit the iniquity of my people,” be it as it may, we should take warning from the past. The hurricane crossed exactly at right-angle with the one that visited this place before, going from northwest to northeast. The cloud as it loomed up from behind the western mountain and belched forth its loud peals of destruction, gave no particular alarm until reaching the break of the valley, when it dived down with redoubled vengeance and dispatched its work of destruction and was gone in a twinkle to carry sorrow and bereavement to the bosom of other happy families. Mr. Mike Price’s house was the first that it struck, and completely demolished it. Himself, wife and only daughter had just retired to bed, and were completely bruised. Mr. Frank Price’s house was completely swept away, but, fortunately, his family escaped unhurt. Thence toward the depot sweeping fencing and everything in its course. Mr. Redmon’s house was torn all to splinters, bruising Mrs. Redmon and M. Archam very badly. It turned over the house of Mat. Sullivan, (col.) but not doing much damage. Mr. Zack Peters corncrib was taken up and carried about fifty yards off.
Not knowing the feeling of those who have suffered from the storm, I take the responsibility of appealing to the good people of Jackson county for help. – Gentlemen, here are objects of charity in your own county and at your own door. Open your hearts and your purses, gentlemen, and help your unfortunate friends and neighbors.
April 27th.
J.D.A.