Copy of Cyclone of 1908-2

Cyclone of 1908:

Cyclone of 1908 Hillary Ragsdale Linden- Kildare High School Gail Dorgan - Teacher Linden, Cass County, Texas Morris-Lazara History Collection photo

What is a Cyclone?:

What is a Cyclone? A cyclone is a large-scale, atmospheric wind-and-pressure system characterized by low pressure at its center and circular wind motion, counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. It is also called a tornado .

Path of Destruction :

Path of Destruction On May 13,1908, a black cloud appeared on Linden’s southwestern horizon. It began traveling northeast and within minutes everything on the north side of the city’s square was destroyed or heavily damaged. North side of Linden’s Square prior to the 1908 cyclone. Morris-Lazara Linden History Collection http://web03.best places.net/city/Linden_Tx.gif (Texas map)

Courthouse Damage:

Courthouse Damage The winds of the cyclone ripped the top off of the courthouse causing $500 in damages. (Top photo reveals extent of damage to the courthouse. The bottom photo shows a repaired courthouse after the 1908 Cyclone). Morris-Lazara Linden History Collection

Leola Cole Goodman – Switchboard Operator (1908):

Leola Cole Goodman – Switchboard Operator (1908) Mrs. Leola (Pete) Goodman, switchboard operator, was working on the 2 nd floor of the Harris Drug Store when the cyclone hit. Mrs. Goodman said, “The wind was so strong that the back of my dress was torn off and every hairpin was blown out of my head. A nail was also stuck in my arm.” Photo: A Pictorial History of Cass County

Telephone Office Damage:

Telephone Office Damage Mrs. Goodman, switchboard operator, said, “The building was wrecked and the only thing that kept the walls from falling in on me was all the telephone wires that held them back. After I was taken out the wires were cut and the building collapsed.” Cass County Sun photo of Harris Drug Store and the telephone office (located on the second story) after the cyclone swept through Linden’s north side.

First Baptist Church and Masonic Lodge destruction:

First Baptist Church and Masonic Lodge destruction The FBC and Masonic Lodge (located on 2 nd floor) were destroyed when the church, originally the Cass County Courthouse, was blown away. All church records were destroyed. The Lodge charter was one of the few records found in the wreckage. Photo courtesy FBC-Linden

W.C. Blalock’s home:

W.C. Blalock’s home The W.C. Blalock home and furniture were completely destroyed in the cyclone. A loss of $700.00. Cass County Sun photo

A.J. Nelson Home :

A.J. Nelson Home The Nelson family lost their home and all their furniture. Damage was estimated at $800.00. Ruth Bridges Early Linden History Collection

Nelson’s Store and Cass County Bank:

Nelson’s Store and Cass County Bank C. H. Nelson lost three business houses and stock of general merchandise for a loss of $12,000. 00. The Cass County Bank (structure to far right) suffered $750.00 in damages. Morris-Lazara Linden History Collection

Damage Estimates:

Damage Estimates Damages from the 1908 Cyclone were in excess of $26,600.00. Cass County Sun article dated May 19, 1908, listing deaths, injuries, and damages inflicted on Linden by the cyclone.

Cyclone’s Damage - Historically and Economically :

Cyclone’s Damage - Historically and Economically Most of the records of the city of Linden were destroyed in the 1908 cyclone preventing a complete history from being written . All photos from Cass County Sun

1908 Cyclone Legacy:

1908 Cyclone Legacy “There were only a few storm cellars in Linden at that time [May 13. 1908] but after that cyclone—there were plenty of them.”(Mrs. W.R. Lanier) Businesses and families helped each other out by clearing out the rubble and rebuilding as soon as possible. Morris-Lazara storm cellar built in 1909. (Hillary Ragsdale photo) A 1911 photo of buildings erected on the north side of the square after the Cyclone of 1908 . (Morris-Lazara Linden History Collection)

Cyclone’s Aftermath:

Cyclone’s Aftermath The cyclone left little of the blocks bound by Main, Graham, Houston, and Kaufman Streets, Linden’s business district. Linden’s courthouse, post office, bank and jail were damaged or destroyed by the cyclone. At least 11 businesses were damaged or destroyed. At least 15 houses were damaged or destroyed. Four people lost their lives in the cyclone. All barns and outhouses in the path of the cyclone were completely destroyed. Cass County Sun Photo

Visual Imagery Credits :

Visual Imagery Credits Slide 1: Morris-Lazara Linden History Collection. Slide 2: Microsoft Movie Clip Gallery Slide 3: Morris-Lazara Linden History Collection; http://web03.best places.net/city/Linden_Tx.gif (Texas map) Slide 4: Morris-Lazara Linden History Collection Slide 5: A Pictorial History of Cass County Slide 6: Cass County Sun Slide 7: First Baptist Church Linden Slide 8: Pictorial History of Cass County Slide 9: Ruth Bridges Early Linden History Collection Slide 10: Morris-Lazara Linden History Collection Slide 11: Cass County Sun Slide 12: Cass County Sun Slide 13: Hillary Ragsdale (storm cellar); Morris-Lazara Linden History Collection (rebuilding of Linden) Slide 14: Cass County Sun

Bibliography :

Bibliography Baldwin, Wanda. Personal Interview. Linden, Texas. 3 December 2008. Boney, Linda. Personal Interview. Linden, Texas. 3 December 2008. “Cyclone of 1908 Leveled First Church.” Cass County Sun . 18 November 1987. A:9. Lazara, Sue Morris. Personal Interviews. Linden, Texas. 1,2,3,4 December 2008. “Linden Celebrates Centennial.” Marshall News Messenger. 27 June 1948. B:1. “Scene of Destruction from the 1908 Cyclone of Linden.” Cass County Sun. June 1942. “Storm Destroys Linden in 1908.” The Cass County Sun . Diamond Anniversary. (Special Section) 1976. p.2. Westbrook, Sandra. “Linden’s Cyclone.” Cass County Sun. 30 June 1976. A:1.