Remembering the Tragic Tale: Cleburne's Deadly Tornado of 1899

As a local reporter, my quest for stories often takes me on unexpected paths, and sometimes, it leads me straight into the heart of history. Recently, while delving into the depths of my boyfriend's family tree, I stumbled upon a fascinating piece of our town's past that resonated deeply with me. It also reminded me of our shared human desire to understand where we come from and the importance of cherishing the present.

We all have that inherent curiosity to uncover the mysteries of our lineage, to connect the dots between generations, and weave together the stories that have shaped us. In this digital age, tracing family history has become more accessible than ever, aided by the wealth of resources available online. And so, with the intention of creating a precious gift for my boyfriend's son, I embarked on this genealogical journey.

Little did I know that within the vast branches of his family tree, I would stumble upon a tragic tale that had been long forgotten. The stormy events of the past always hold a certain allure, drawing us in with their powerful narratives and poignant lessons. And so, as I delved deeper into Cleburne's history, I uncovered the haunting story of the Coffey family, forever etched in the fabric of our town.

It was a fateful day in March of 1899 when a devastating cyclone ripped through our beloved North Alabama and North Georgia, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The Coffey family, residing in Edwardsville, Cleburne County, Alabama, found themselves caught in the fury of nature's wrath. Lewis Coffey, a well-known figure in our community, and his entire family tragically lost their lives. Their collective passing was marked by the poignant image of a single grave, where Lewis, his wife, and their eight children were laid to rest.

Calhoun County Newspaper Article

Date: March 1899

TRACK OF THE STORM

Papers of Ill Fated Lewis Coffey Scattered to Four Winds

The following incident of a storm's tragic sequel are so unusual and out of the ordinary that they are printed herewith, says the Rome Tribune. The Cartersville News prints the following this week:

The readers of the newspaper well remember the passage through North Alabama and North Georgia of the cyclone on the 18th of the present month and its fearful work at Edwardsville, Cleburne County, Alabama, where Lewis Coffey, a prominent citizen, and his entire family were killed. He and his wife with eight children were buried in one grave. The grave was eight feet deep, nine feet wide and twenty-three feet long.

There was a legal paper picked up on the farm of Squire Fariss at Cassville one day last week that no doubt was blown from the scene of horror in Alabama, and it was written by this same Lewis Coffey who was a justice of the peace in 1880, the date of it execution. It was an old of "Rolley Jenkins vs. Wm. Parnell" for a few dollars and a levy has been entered upon it.

The paper was found on a justice of the peace's land and as Coffey was a justice of the peace the affair makes a strange coincidence.

From Cave Springs come the following:

Your correspondence has come into possession of a scrap of paper which was blown from the home of Lewis Coffey, near Edwardsville, Ala., by the cyclone which recently wrecked the Coffey home and killed ten members of his family.

The paper is a receipt given Coffey in 1881, and it was found in the woods near here the day after the cyclone, a distance of twenty-three miles form the Coffey home. The paper is well preserved and is clean, although it passed through the terrible cyclone.

As I absorbed the weight of this sorrowful event, gratitude washed over me. The winds of time have brought progress and advancements in technology, warning systems, and our ability to respond to such disasters. This year, as our town braved its own series of tornadoes, we were spared from such heartbreaking reports. It reminded me of the resilience and unity that binds us as a community, as we stand together in the face of adversity.

The discovery of this tragic tale also reaffirmed the enduring human quest to know our roots. It speaks to our collective longing to understand the stories that have shaped us, to connect with our ancestors, and gain insight into the rich tapestry of our town's history. Through the act of seeking, we honor those who came before us and find a greater appreciation for the present.

As I continue to piece together my boyfriend's family tree, I am reminded of the profound value of cherishing our heritage and creating connections that bridge the past and present. It is a journey that brings us closer to understanding our own identities and the enduring spirit of our community.

So, let us cherish the stories that have shaped us, learn from the tragedies of the past, and hold gratitude in our hearts for the resilience that carries us forward. As we honor our roots, we strengthen our bond as a community, ready to face whatever storms may come.

In memory of the Coffey family and with hope for a future filled with unity and resilience, we remember where we came from and forge ahead together.