1958 — Feb 26, tornadoes, 5 counties, esp. Farmhaven, Madison Co./6, south & cent. MS-13

–13 AP. “State Tornado Death Toll Climbs To 13.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 2-28-1958, p.1
–13 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 1013-1014.
Breakout of Mississippi tornado fatalities by county and locality:
— 1 Leake County, Mrs. Parrin Ellis, 60, killed by flying debris.
— 6 Madison County
–6 Farm Haven community near Canton.
–5 Farmhaven. UP. “Tornadoes Sweep State; 12 Die.” Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. 2-27-1958, p. 1.
–1 Sally Day, 107.
–1 Erving Greenwood
–1 Pinkie Hester
–1 J.C. Johnson
–1 Aron Johnson, 87.
— 3 Perry County
–2 Brewer community. Mrs. A.B. Rylee, 45 and son Billy Rylee, 12, in their home.
–1 Union School community. Luther Brewer, 60.
— 1 Rankin County, Fannin. 3-year-old Kathy Jones when home was carried 100 yards.
— 2 Wayne County, southeast MS, including woman whose “house blew away.”
–1 Chicora community. Mrs. Charles Jones.
–1 Winchester community, Mrs. Bill Burgess.

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “MS FEB 26, 1958 1730 7k 24inj 70y f60m F3. COPIAH/HINDS/RANKIN/ MADISON/LEAKE [counties] — Moved NE from west of Crystal Springs, passing across the SE edge of Jackson, across the Pearl River swamps and other sparsely settled areas to Farm Haven and “Pine Grove.” Six people were killed at Farm Haven.

“MS FEB 26, 1958 1740 lk 34inj 70y f65m F3. SIMPSON/RANKIN/SCO’TT/LEAKE/ NESHOBA—Skipped NE from NE of Harrisville, destroying the Piney Woods School and passing 4m W of Morton. Most of Walnut Grove had roof damage, and one person died there in a destroyed home….

“MS FEB 26, 1958 1945 5k 12inj 100y 28m F3. PERRY/GREENE/WAYNE — Moved NE from just SW of Brewer to lm E of Winchester. Homes and stores were destroyed at Brewer, especially homes on higher ground, south of Winchester. Cars were reportedly rolled around hilltops in a clockwise direction.” (Grazulis 1993, pp. 1013-1014.)

Newspaper

Feb 27, AP: “Jackson, Miss. (AP) – Daylight disclosed new damage today from a series of late-winter tornadoes which ravished central Mississippi last night. Two more deaths brought the toll to 12. One of the hardest hit spots was the world-famed Piney Woods Country Life School about 25 miles south of Jackson. Roofs of at least four of the huge buildings at the school for Negro children were shorn off….” (AP. “12 Die, 70 Hurt.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 2-27-1958, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “12 Die, 70 Hurt.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 2-27-1958, p. 1. Accessed 2-4-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hattiesburg-american-feb-27-1958-p-1/

Associated Press. “State Tornado Death Toll Climbs To 13.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 2-28-1958, p.1. Accessed 2-4-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hattiesburg-american-feb-28-1958-p-1/

Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.

United Press. “Tornadoes Sweep State; 12 Die.” The Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. 2-27-1958, p. 1. Accessed 2-4-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-delta-democrat-times-feb-27-1958-p-1/