The Dardanelle Post Dispatch
April 22, 1920

Ten lives sacrificed, a score or more persons seriously injured, and many thousands of dollars of property destroyed is the toll taken by the cyclone which formed near Alpha in this County and swept northward to the Logan County line at an early hour last Monday morning.
W B Mauldin, who lives 4 miles south-west of Dardanelle, reports that he was awakened by the roar of the storm which seemingly formed south and west of his place, and travelling in a northwesterly direction passed to the west of Mt. Nebo.
The cyclone first struck with terrific force in the upper part of Harkey's Valley just across the Logan County line where the greatest loss of life and the heaviest property damage occurred. In this community, D. H. Howe, his brother, and four members of his family were killed and when the Howe home was demolished, and a relative, also named Howe, was seriously injured.
A short distance south of the Howe home, and just in the edge of Yell County, the home of William Bell was demolished, and Mrs. Bell was instantly killed and her son was very seriously injured.
The home of H. Brock, at the foot of Huckleberry Mountain in the edge of Yell County, was razed to the ground, and both Mr. and Mrs. Brock seriously injured.
George Raulston, who lives near Blaine, was fatally injured and four members of his family seriously hurt when his home was demolished. A fence rail was driven into Mr. Raulston's side and he died Monday night, shortly after being taken to the emergency hospital in Paris. A son of Mr. Raulston, a boy of about 16 years, suffered a fractured skull when struck by a heavy timber. A four-inch splinter entered his head behind the right ear and came out at the corner of the right eye. The young man is still in a critical condition, but some hope hopes of his recovery are entertained.
Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Skelton and two children were badly injured and their home and barns utterly demolished.
Mr. and Mrs. Reeder Griffith and baby were seriously injured when their home was destroyed. It is feared the baby will not recover.
The large home of Robert Horn was demolished and Mr. Horn, wife and child, and a neighbor's child by the name of Lynn who was visiting the Horns, were buried in the ruins. All were badly bruised and lacerated, but none seriously injured.
The home and barns of Joe Raulston were completely destroyed and all of his livestock killed, but he and his family escaped serious injury.
The house and barn of Henry Frego, Sr. were destroyed, and one of his children painfully injured.
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Jones and their baby were painfully injured and their home totally destroyed.
Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Williams sustained painful, but not serious injuries when their home was demolished. They also lost their barns and out-buildings and all of their livestock was killed.
The house and barns of Lem Teague, who lives in the edge of Yell County, were demolished, but Mr. Teague and member of his mainly escaped with only minor injuries.
At Piney, some six or eight miles north of Blaine across the Arkansas River, a number of houses were demolished, one man killed out-right and seven persons seriously injured, one of whom, a boy of 12 years, has since died in the Russellville hospital.
The large steel wagon bridge across Piney Creek was blown from its piers.
This is the fourth cyclone that has struck near the Yell-Logan County line in the past 20 years, each of the three former ones taking a toll of life and property but none being so destructive as the present one.
Sixteen of those injured near Blaine and Harkey's Valley were taken to Paris, where and emergency hospital was opened in the Logan County Court House.
It is impossible as yet to estimate the property damage done by the storm, but it is safe to say it will reach many thousands of dollars. Scores of people are without food, shelter or necessary clothing. The good people of Blaine and Harkey's Valley are doing all in their power to care for the sufferers, but outside aid is urgently needed. Paris has responded splendidly with food, clothing, medical aid, etc. and the business men of Dardanelle this morning contributed the sum of $361.50, donations being solicited by a committee consisting of W.L. Lee of this city, and J.O. Sellers and Horace Birkhead of Blaine. There is still urgent need for bedding, food, and clothing in the devastated district, and the Post-Dispatch will gladly receive contributions of these things, or of cash, and see that it reaches the proper relief committee.

contributor Peggy Mac