Obituary: Ross Metcalf and Wife - 1939, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Michael Drewett, 6321 Clegg Rd., Pensacola, FL  32526
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Source: Winn Parish Enterprise, Thursday, January 5, 1939
............
Ross Metcalf and Wife Killed In Tornado
Town of Montgomery Suffers Approximately $50,000 Loss In Freakish Storm

        Funeral services for Ross Metcalf, 35, and his wife, 27, who were
killed in 1939 first tornado which struck Montgomery Tuesday night, were
conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Mt. Zion church, Winn
parish five miles north of Montgomery. Burial was made in the Mt. Zion
cemetery.
        The Metcalf's child, Willie 3 1/2 years old, who was seriously
injured in the accident, was reported to be doing well at the Baptist
hospital in Alexandria where he was taken following the storm. The child
suffered a broken leg when the home collapsed. He was found lying in the
back yard of a neighbor.
        Mrs. Metcalf is survived by her father, Van V. Davison, four
sisters, Lenna Mae, Ina, Ruby and Helen Davison, and two brothers, Otis
and Earl Davison, all of Montgomery.    
        According to a report made by Sheriff H. E. Bowen of Grant parish,
seven or eight stores in the main business district were wrecked and their
goods water-soaked as the storm tore down the north side of Main street
for two blocks.  Several homes in the path of the storm suffered damage.
He estimated the loss at $50,000, or more.
        After raking the business street the storm demolished the town
lighting plant and cracked open the newly built residence of Metcalf, a
sawmill foreman, while the three were asleep.
        After the storm Metcalf's body with a broken neck was taken down
from the roof of the residence of Mrs.  Mollie Goole, next door.  Mrs.
Metcalf's body was driven onto a large nail or spike on the front porch of
the Goole house and she died of a head injury.
        The tornado was confined to an area about 50 yards wide and a
quarter of mile long. The town was without lights and also the community
of Atlanta and all along the route between Montgomery and Atlanta the
citizens were without lights on account of the tornado.