"The Free Lance" Issue: June 5, 1903 part 1 MOORE MENTION: [May 30] --G. R. JAMES is working on a bridge above Reidville. --J. J. FINCH has cemented and painted his dairy, which adds much to its beauty. He is well supplied with water, which is forced from the spring to his house through piping. ATTEMPTED TO KILL HIS WIFE A Negro, named PARKS, at Woodruff attempted to murder his wife, Carrie PARKS, during a quarrel Sunday as a result of which the woman is now lying at the point of death while her husband is at large. Details of the affair were difficult to secure but it seems that the man engaged in a quarrel with the woman and in a moment of extreme anger seized an axe and attempted to brain her. The head of the victim was crushed and injured. PARKS made good his escape. The police here were notified of the occurrence this morning and were asked to keep a sharp look out for the Negro. {This tornado hit in Gainesville Ga., but since so many moved from this area to Gainesville, I will include some of what I have} THOUGHTFUL CONTEMPLATION In the excitement immediately in the wake of the terrific tornado which shook the city, leaving in its wake death and destruction, the most composed mind was unable to grasp the extent of the tragedy. Few dreamed of the irreparable loss which has been wrought in the beautiful city, on the crest of a successful wave of education and commercial success. Strong hearts have almost quailed under the enormity of the strain. So great has been the damage that dumb helplessness at first seized on the heroic people. ACTIVITY IS GREAT From out of the stunned amazement sprung activity. With unparalleled determination the strong have gone to the assistance of the weak. Carloads of coffins were telegraphed for. Physicians wired their desire to do all in their power to relieve the suffering. The wounded were cared for and the dead prepared for burial. Today a funeral procession, the most enormous in the history of city, has been wending its way to the place of death. With uncovered heads and hushed voices the populace has viewed the lowing of mangled forms. By tonight, it is thought all the dead will be buried. HEAD BLOWN TWO MILES The head of a young white boy, whose name is unknown, has been found at the Pacolet Mills. His body was found at the Gainesville Mills. The head was completely severed from the body and blown a distance of two miles. {pieces from partial articles} He says the estimates now place the dead and wounded at 200 at the cotton mill alone. To this number must be added the eighteen or twenty killed in Gainesville proper and the scores of wounded. The cyclone was terrific in its fury. It swept railroad cars from the tracks and carried them out of sight in the air. Vast pieces of machinery weighing tons are missing. Buildings swept through the air as though pieces of paper. Partial List of the Dead: Mrs. Marshall CAMP and child. Jack MURPHY, aged 12, son of widow MURPHY Ulah JACKSON Ethel LYLE Annie GARRETT Claude SHEDD The wife and daughter of W. B. SLOAN, a lawyer, were fatally injured. Among others reportedly injured are: Mrs. TALLEY and daughter, badly hurt; Mrs. JONES, wife of Mr. JONES who keeps a grocery store near the Southern depot, badly hurt; J. R. LOGAN, badly injured; James SIMPSON, Maude GORDON, John SIMPSON, Anna SCHUBERT, Ola MILLER, Edward SKINNER, Bessie SKINNER, Mrs. Doc CLARK, J. E. SUMMERVILLE, Alonzo FORD, STOVALL, Joe SHUBERT, Milledge HILL, Willie BOON, Perry CONNER. AWFUL FACTS OF LIFE GAINESVILLE HORROR The Gainesville Cotton Mills were blown down and nearly every employee in the building killed, including a number of children. The Southern depot was blown down. The Gainesville Iron Works were demolished and several people perished in the wreck. The Gainesville Cotton Oil Mills were blown down. MONTGOMERY FAINTED Gainesville, Ga. June 3-When *******president of ***Pacolet and the Gainesville Cotton Mills, arrived in the city this morning, he fainted at the sight of the devastation of his property, and the frightful loss of life among his employees, all of whom love him. . . He was quickly revived and made a personal tour of his properties. He went to work with energetic will. free post Lisa