History Does Change
There is a comment I hear concerning history that really gets my dander up. It goes something like this. "History never changes it just stays the same." Usually this statement is made in reference to school text books. It's assumed that history books need not be updated because the basic facts of historical events and poeple never changes. While historical facts seldom change unless new information arises from undiscovered primary sources, the way we preceive and interrupt history certainly changes with time. For example, our view of the Vietnam War has been changing in the last decade. We are beginning to fully understand how the media influenced public opinion to the point of causing a premature withdrawal at the point when our brave soldiers were making great strides in winning that war. The Tet Offensive was considered a disaster but when the facts are correctly evaluated, we know that the U.S. regained the advantage. It was the media who were in the field with the army that kept broadcasting the horrible realities of war into the living rooms of Americans. The Civil War is an example of how we view key figures throughout history. Recent discovered documents prove that Abe Lincoln had a plan to re-locate the newly freed slaves to Iberia just days before he was killed by John Wilkes Booth.
The Midnight Ride of William Dawes?
Most folks have heard of Paul Revere's famous ride on April 18, 1775. But few people know of the other express riders who dashed out into the countryside of Boston to warn everyone that the Red Coats were on the march. Lead by Gen. Thomas Gage of the British army they planned to capture the colonists' arsenal at Concord and along the way capture John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Few people have heard the story of William Dawes. Dawes a tanner by trade also rode out that night with Revere. Click the picture to a link for more info on Mr. Dawes.
The Bataan Death March, What Happened?
Pinning the Purple Heart on Arnold Flowers.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked the Southeast Pacific islands including the Philippines. The American and Filipino soldiers fought off the Japanese for three long months in The Battle of Bataan. These forces surrendered on April 7, 1942. Thousands had to be moved to Japanese prison camps. This began the infamous 70 mile walk where many were tortured and killed. Soldiers were made to walk for hours without food and little or no water. Few breaks were given for the fatigued soldiers and if one was given the prisoners were made to sit in the open sun. Anyone who lagged behind during the march was killed some were killed for trying to fill their canteens and some were killed for just plain sport. The Bataan Death March was one of the worst examples of inhumane treatment of P.O.Ws during WWII. It is estimated that as many as 18,000 P.O.Ws died during this terrible march. Many did survive and we have their stories to read. One survivor, Donald Douglas Rutter, tells his story on his website. Another survivor lives in Jones County, Mr. Arnold Flowers. You can hear the complete conversion I had with him at my blog. I've divided this interview into segments. Mr. Flowers begins his story at the start of the Great Depression, his entrance into the service and the time he was a P.O.W. until the end of WWII. Listen to the segments of this amazing interview; it's very interesting.
Links related to Mr. Arnold Flowers
Highway Named after Mr. Flowers- Scroll down to page 17 for the article.
Great Photo of Arnold and his wife Frances
Mr. Flowers recieves Purple Heart
Links related to Mr. Arnold Flowers
Highway Named after Mr. Flowers- Scroll down to page 17 for the article.
Great Photo of Arnold and his wife Frances
Mr. Flowers recieves Purple Heart
Tornadoes in Historical Perspective
In this week’s column I gave a history lesson on natural disasters, namely tornadoes, in order to put the latest tornado outbreaks into perspective. While history gives us examples to follow and a way to avoid mistakes, it can also put events in their place and calm our fears. Once we understand that previous generations have faced the same struggles, we are then inspired to move on and don’t feel so alone in our circumstances. The question remains, are there past events that are similar or even rival the current tornado outbreaks in our country? The answer is yes. Below are some historical tornadoes that impacted the United States. This is part of the current column found in The Review of Jones Co. Here's a website of the 10 deadliest tornadoes in U.S. History.
The people of Jones Co. will never forget the Glade tornado of 1987 that destroyed many homes and three schools. Read more about this from The New York Times archive.
For the full column go to Mr. Walters' latest blog. Mr. Walters' next column will feature the faith of a WWII veteran who just recieved the Purple Heart.
The Tri-State Tornado of 1925
On March 18, 1925 three states, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana were devastated by a twister that is to date the longest path for a tornado. This tornado stayed on the ground for an estimated two hours and ripped a 217 mile path a half a mile wide killing 747 people. One survivor described the twister as big and nasty “and “so large and low to the ground that it looked like a cloud eating the ground…” This cyclone also holds the record for the most tornado deaths in a single city that being Murphysboro, Illinois with 234 killed and is considered to be the deadliest tornado in U.S. History. Later this inspired forecasters to push technology forward in order to develop a warning system for these monster storms. The desire for better forecasting from that time lead to the meteorologists and weather technologies that we have today that saved hundreds of lives in the recent tornado disasters. Imagine how many more would be dead in Joplin and Tuscaloosa if not for today’s weather forecasting tools.
The Dixie Tornado Outbreak, 1908
In this event, thirty-four tornadoes touched down east of the Mississippi River impacting states from TX to GA and OK to TN. In a three day period, 320 people were killed and over one thousand injured. The one event that stands out among this outbreak was the total leveling of a town namely Purvis, MS. On that day, April 24, fifty five people lost their lives. According to the McCain Library and Archives at U.S.M. a majority of the residences were “severely damaged or completely destroyed and the business district was leveled.” Purvis was not the only town obliterated during this outbreak. Bergens and Albertville Al were both destroyed the former completely. In Albertville, a nine ton oil tank was found one half a mile from its original location and a nine car freight train was completely overturned and destroyed.
The Dixie Outbreak of 1908 produced an F4 or F5 tornado that cut a path of total destruction an estimated 100 miles long and half a mile wide.
The Dixie Outbreak of 1908 produced an F4 or F5 tornado that cut a path of total destruction an estimated 100 miles long and half a mile wide.
The Natchez Tornado, 1840
On May 7, 1840 a massive tornado that began seven miles south of Natchez barreled its way up the Mississippi River towards that town and the town of Vidalia, LA. One weather expert said it seemed to center upon the Mississippi River destroying the forest on both sides. By the time the mile wide twister slammed into Natchez and Vidalia it had picked up trees, and debris of every kind. People and property along the banks and in river boats were picked up and thrown inland. The central and northern parts of Natchez were totally destroyed. One newspaper described the horrific scene shortly after the storm passed, “Our devoted city is in ruins…while the dead remain unburied and the wounded groan for help.” This twister is to date the second deadliest tornado in U.S. History. The Natchez twister is also the only tornado that killed more people than it injured. When the tornado finally passed it killed 317 and injured 109. Most causalities were from the river and its banks. The Louisiana side of the river didn’t fare much better. Another quote from the same paper, the Free Trader best sums up what happened there. “There is no telling how widespread has been the ruin.” The newspaper reported how plantations twenty miles inland had lost “hundreds of slaves” and “dwellings swept like chaff from their foundations.” It is said that the death toll on this historical storm was greater than reported as some deaths farther from its impact, mainly in Louisiana, were not included in the final count.