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About
9 P.M. on November 26, 1887, a tornado struck Mineola,
destroying a hall in which seventy people were attending a dance.
Five people died when the building collapsed into a pile of timbers.
Several suffered bruises and broken limbs. Businesses throughout the
town lost merchandise as the storm blew off roofs and awnings, carrying
one 400-pound tin roof more than 300 yards before dumping it on a
residence. Two homes were destroyed including one belonging to Vance
Green. Green, his wife, and some of his children ran out of the house
as the storm approached, leaving behind a baby in his bed. The twister
blew the mattress with the child about fifty feet from the house and
lowered it gently to earth; the baby remained asleep unharmed.
© Marlene
Bradford
January
11, 2015 guest column |
Wood County 1920s
map showing Mineola (near
Smith County line)
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
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Texas
Escapes,
in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas,
asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic
photos, please contact
us.
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