"How Merciful the Lord Was to Me"

Philosophy and Pathos Blossom in Wake of Terrifying Tornado at Warren Warren, Jan 4 - Disaster produces philosophy among its survivors. It brings out a spirit of self-effacement, self-sacrifice seldom seen under other conditions. An hour spent in a long line of impatient people seeking to complete long distance telephone calls over the scant communications outlets here proved that Warren residents were not an exception to the rule of reaction. Witness: A middle-aged woman who had been waiting hours, reached for a telephone and began, "Tell mother we are all right and for her not to worry. We haven't got much of a house left, but we are okay. I don't want mother to worry. There is nothing wrong with us except Mabel has a bad cold, due to exposure. But tell mother it can't be anything worse than pneumonia. That's not bad at all, tell mother." This seemed to be the spirit of those who were able to return to the stricken area this morning and realize just how lucky they were, or as one man described it: "How merciful the Lord was to me." Kenneth Kelly, 23, his head swathed in bandages, sat on the debris of his home which had been flattened. His mother, Mrs. Annie Kelly, his twin sisters, Betty and Jessie Kelly, about 11, and vistors, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Free, were tossed about wildly as the tornado leveled their frame house. "I found myself under that heap of timber pointing to a twisted splintered mass of lumber, but I can't tell you how I got out. The rest of the folks were scattered in all directions. My head got cut up pretty bad and I'm stiff and sore all over today, but I'm still here." There was a thin sickly smile on his face. The other six were in about the same condition, "all stove up." Although several scores of State Police under the direction of director Jack Porter, Capt. Frank McGibbony and Sgt. Charles Buchanan and several National Guard units in addition to countless volunteers policed the area quickly, there were a few scattered reports of looting. In contrast, study the meek character, a doleful, sad-faced woman who made her way over the wreckage, and accosted two state patrolmen. "Officer, will it be all right if I pick up some of my things over there," as she pointed to a heap of rubble. "My home was several blocks over yonder. It's all gone. I walked through that mess and I've found what's left of my sewing machine. And there is a quilt that's mine. You know mister, a woman knows her stuff. I wouldn't be mistaken. They're mine." It was agreeable to the officers. The little woman forced a smile of thanks. A doctor who had spent the night at Crow's clinic stopped to ask that his thanks on behalf of the people of Warren be expressed publicly in the Gazette. "There were 18 of us Doctors and an ample number of nurses to administer to the injured," he said. "It's for this most welcome aid that we are thankful. It seemed everything south of Little Rock in the state was placed at our disposal." The doctor said first aid was given those hurt most seriously before they were sent to some neighboring hospital. All superficial injuries, such as cuts and minor fractures, were cared for here. It was impossible to prepare a complete list, but he estimated between 100 and 300 were treated at the clinic. The Little Rock Fire Department dispatched a truck manned by 15 men to aid in the fighting the blaze in the Bradley Lumber Mill plant. Several miles from Warren, Driver Fred Harlan averted a wreck when he stopped to investigate a noise. Three lugs of a front wheel had lost off. One wheel was about to roll off. The fireman under the leadership of Assistant Chief Smith Bell were at the command of Warren Chief Everett Beasley, spent several hours at the mill and at daybreak, assisted in combing the debris for possible other victims. The sky was specked with airplanes as photographers from many points soared overhead to make pictures. Buddy Culpepper, who piloted the Gazette's ship over the area, proved valuable, as he was familiar with the ground below. "That second house from the storm's path down there," he said, "is my house. It wasn't hurt.You know we've been expecting the stork for the past few weeks. The storm didn't frighten the missus. She cooked breakfast this morning so I guess the wait will be a bit longer." All rooms in both hotels were filled early last night. Today the hotel men informed sleepy volunteers most all rooms have been reserved for the linemen imported to restore electric and communication facilities. Supt. Tom Cogbill of the Arkansas penitentiary arrived this morning with 75 Negro convicts who were put to clearing all debris. Hundreds of volunteers already had started the gigantic task. It will be weeks before the wreckage can be cleared and many months before restoration can be completed, but the manner in which the workmen swung into the work today indicated it will be done. Joe Wirges, Arkansas Gazette Jan. 5, 1949