Larue Co. newspaper abstract April 3, 1890 (Compiled by Carolyn Wimp)

A tornado swept through Hardin Co. doing great damage. Near Rineyville, the dwelling of Wathen Pawley was completely destroyed and his entire family of 6 were caught under the ruins. His daughter was killed outright and Mrs Pawley has since died of her injuries. The other members of the family are seriously injured. William Hayden's house was blown up and his son's leg was crushed so bad it had to be amputated. A large 2 story brick house of George Taber was blown to pieces. The church at Big Spring was dashed to splinters.

Isaac Richardson's house was completely demolished. A Negro settlement of about 20 houses were entirely destroyed. A large number of houses unroofed and recked. Out houses and barns were carried away. Trees were uprooted and scattered. A great deal of stock was killed and crippled by falling trees and barns.

Bits and Pieces of Hardin Co. History tells the story in their Spring 2004 publication (Mary Jo Jones, Editor): 

A tornado, probably second only in intensity to the one which struck Hardin Co. on April 3, 1974, occurred on March 27, 1890.

It had been a fair day, with just a chance of rain. There had been a prediction via telegraph that there was the possibility of a violent storm, but that news had not reached residents in the rural areas of the county. As night fell, the weather changed; the rain fell, and the wind blew.

A tornado which developed left a track of desolation over 15 miles long. Houses, barns, fences and trees were swept away in its path like feathers. Happy homes, where the families were gathered around the hearthstone, unconscious of danger, were in a moment torn from their foundations and scattered in fragments along its track. Residents were, in a number of cases, killed by the tumbling walls, or badly hurt as they fled for their lives out into the darkness and rain.

According to the local newspaper, from Dan Shipley's on Rough Creek, to Bill Hayden's on the L & N Pike, the course of the storm was marked by a complete destruction of everything in its path. Mr Shipley's house and barn, together with all his out buildings were swept away, and his loss was complete.

Ves Persell's barn wa totally destroyed. Isaac Richardson's barn and a part of his house were torn away. Widow Richardson's house and all out buildings were completely demolished, and she was left in almost a destitute condition.

At Perryville, a settlement with twent cabins of industrious and deserving black people, some of the houses were demolished, carried in detached portions for miles and the people left homeless. The Colored Methodist Church was completely destroyed.

Ridge Spring Methodist Church, comparatively new and one of the best churches in the county, was a complete ruin.

The two story brick country residence of George Taber described as "elegant" built by Luther Nall at a cost of $4800, together with all the barns and out buildings, was a mass of ruins, not a wall standing. His furniture was destroyed. The escape of Mr. Taber and his family without serious injuries was miraculous.

The tenant house occupied by Isaac Klinglesmith was destoryed.

The one story brick house of Mace Pawley was completely demolished and nearly all the occupants of the house were left dead or dying. The list of the killed included Mace Pawley and his little grandchild and Robert Enlow, who was an overnight guest. None of them was killed outright, but died shortly afterwards. Mrs Hutcherson, a married daughter of Mr Pawley, was badly hurt, and Marion Thomas was severely bruised.

Bill Hayden's house, on the pike, was lifted from the ground and the occupants barely escaped with their lives. Hayden's son was badly hurt, and his injuries required the amputation of one of his legs.

Besides these there were a great many lesser damages reported. Roofs were blown from many houses. There was almost a complete destruction of fencing and a great loss of stock. The damages in the county were roughly estimated to be at least $25,000.  Need was great among many of the sufferers and considerable distress was reported at several points in the county. A collection was taken up in Elizabethtown at a union meeting at the Presbyterian church, and a private subscription was raised. In all about $200 was subscribed as a relief fund from Elizabethtown.  The County Judge at that time had authority to add as much as $100 if necessary.

(Source: The Elizabethtown News, April 4, 1890; The Courier Journal, Louisville, April 3, 2004)