Pike County Georgia News - Cyclone Hits Pike Co. 1893 ********************************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Lynn Cunningham lcunnin1@bellsouth.net Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/pike.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm The Pike County Journal Zebulon, Pike County, Georgia: March 10, 1893 A Terrible Cyclone This county was visited at 8 o’clock last Friday night by one of the most terrible and devestating cyclones that has ever visited our state. It began its fiendish work at Marion, Miss., where many lives were lost and immense property was destroyed. From there it coursed on to Georgia via Lagrange [sp] Greenville and into Pike at Molena thence to Monroe and on through Georgia into the Atlantic ocean near Wilmington, N.C. We will not attempt to detail the ravages of the storm outside of this county, but will give an idea of the damage at home by commencing at Molena. This is a thriving town on the G.M. and G. railroad and the trading point of a large and prosperous agricultural teritory [sp]. The storm struck the town just above the depot with full force. Large trees were blown up by the roots and others were twisted off as though they were broom straws. The pretty little town was ransacked and shaken to its foundations. Many houses were blown into atoms and a yet greater number were rendered unhabitable. The editor was on the scene last Sunday, and was stricken with awe while gazing on the wake of the terrible monster. Here is a brief summary of the damage: John Melton’s new frame house was reduced to splinters, his wife injured fatally, and her grand mother, Mrs. Felts, killed outright. Will Whaley suffered loss of house, but none seriously hurt. Concrete warehouse partially unroofed. Drug store of Dr. Whitaker moved two feet and mashed up. Dispensary building ditto. Thornton house torn to kindling wood, but no one seriously hurt. House of Jim Smith ruined. Three story ginnery belonging to Brooks Bros., including gins, fixtures, engines, planing mill, etc., smashed to smithereens. Large new school building and Masonic hall blown entirely away. Strange to say the piano in the music room suffered little or no damage, but that which was left [f]ound of the organ could be tied up in the corner of a pocket handkerchief. This building was a new one and had just been completely furnished. Many other houses were badly damaged, but can be patched up. Few chimneys were left standing. The track of the cyclone here was about three quarters of a mile in width. The cyclone seemed to have accumulated energy as it sped onward, and the most stalwart trees were as nothing before it. The property destroyed was immense. Frank and Tom Joiner lost all houses but escaped with slight bruises. Jim McCard lost house and everything. Was injured and died, child killed and wife badly hurt. Speer’s house was blown to pieces. He was injured badly by having an ear mashed off, an arm broken, and internal injuries. He may die. His wife and children were also badly wounded. Tilda Ferguson, house blown down. Hiram Beckham, house blown away and provisions scattered everywhere. Dood Reeves, house collapsed. Bob Lee Jimmerson, house injured and cribs, etc., blown away. Jack Thornton, house unrooted and cribs torn up. John Leak, over 100 years old, had all houses blown to pieces. Charley Tillery, all lost. W.T. Barker, dwelling ruined and about eighteen tenant houses totally ruined. His loss over $5000. Here three negroes were killed, and several others may die. John Robinson lost all houses. Ace Peugh had all houses torn to shreds. James Carriker, tenant house blown away. Henry Carriker suffers loss of dwelling. Will Howe, house blown down. Garrett lost his house. Wesley Reeves, house blown away. Doster sisters, house torn up and one of them badly hurt. Monroe Pilkenton, house gone Will Creamer lost his house. Jim Baily, totally wrecked. John Williams lost house and supplies. John Willingham lost his house. Josh Hamlet, house torn down. Joe McCard, house razed to the ground. Jeff Foster lost his home. Will Presley, house torn up. A.G. Harp, dwelling badly damaged and tenant houses destroyed. One negro killed. J.T. Lowe, house blown away and himself severely injured. L.C. Collier, store and goods destroyed and residence badly damaged. Bob Smith, new residence demolished. E.L. Gipson, house blown away. Hawkins, house blown away, only daughter Daisy killed outright. Andrew Reviere, house demolished and he was killed. Whatley, house blown away and he was badly injured. Doc Brown, house blown away. This summary does not give any idea of the extent of the damage. Take an example: “John Creamer lost his house.” This simple paragraph means that his home is entirely gone. His corn and provender is swept out of existence, as well as every outbuilding on his place. His little farm is a network of heavy timber which he cannot clear sufficiently to plow before August without help. He, too badly injured to do manual labor. He has no earthly chance to get bread for his wife and little ones. It is a picture of abject squalor and these people are residents of the mountains where there are few people to pity their condition and fewer still to give them the help they are suffering for. The appeals from Greenville and elsewhere should be responded to, but in remembering the unfortunates of the villages, let not the ear of humanity be deaf to cries of distress that arise from the suffering and dying of the mountains. Let the groans of these unfortunates touch a responsive chord in the human breast, and let them receive blessings from their fellow men in their dire extremity. (Transcribed 9/27/02 Lynn Cunningham)