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Newspaper
accounts of early Texas tornadoes are rare, but the Dallas Herald
devoted two long columns to the storm that “swept the village of
Cedar Hill
from the face of the earth” on May 4, 1856. Eyewitnesses reported
that two storms collided a mile south of the community creating
a “terrific whirlwind.” The devastation was virtually indescribable.
The ferocious winds plucked feathers from birds, killed and mutilated
livestock, carried large plows half a mile, drove timers into the
ground, and razed every building in the town. “Even the prairie
was shorn off as with fire or scythe.” Merchandise from the community
store was found thirty miles away along Rowlett Creek in the far
northeast corner of Dallas
County.
The Herald
reported nine deaths and twelve severely injuries. As was often
the case at this time, the death toll may not be accurate; many
with life-threatening injuries would succumb in the coming days.
In the fashion of the day, the newspaper accounts described in horrific
detail the treatment storms meted to humans and animals. I have
declined to include these particulars in this account, but those
who are interested may read the gory tales in the Dallas Herald
of May 10, 1856.
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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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