The Lawrence County Illinois Historical Society proudly announces the TV premiere of its  documentary, "An Eagle on his Button." This film highlights the remarkable stories of African Americans from Lawrence County who served in the Civil War. Tune in to WVUT-22 PBS on SATURDAY February 28, 2026 at 6:00 pm Illinois time (7:00 pm Indiana time) to watch this important local history event.

We continue our stories about the Tornado that devastated the Pinkstaff area seventy years ago on February 25, 1956. (Please refer to the map of Pinkstaff locations published Wednesday February 25 to follow the path of destruction.)

  Earnest LeVaugh Davis, people called him “Buck”, his wife, Alberta and 3- year- old Jimmie Davis, went through the terrifying experience of having their trailer home, situated on a lot in Pinkstaff, rolled over three times and dumped in the street by the tornado. Buck heard the hail which immediately preceded the tornado. He arose from bed and walked the length of his trailer to look out the front window. When he saw it was blown out, he ran back to the other end, and the winds began to roll the trailer over, finally causing it to come to rest in the street, almost fifty feet from where it had been standing. The trailer was left on it’s side, as pictured. None of the family inside the airborne trailer was seriously injured except Buck who cut his hand by breaking out a window so they could get out of the trailer. They stayed at Lindsay and Delores Stevenson’s (Buck’s sister) temporarily according to 72- year old Jim Davis who shared his story with Larry Curry of the Lawrence County Historical Society.

These photos show the Forest Main House, barn and garage. The house showed only minor signs of damage at first glance. Closer examination, however, showed that it was twisted out of line, with hardly a square corner left on the building.  From its position it must have taken nearly the full force of the wind but remained standing. Don Waggoner, holding the tree branch, is shown cleaning up the yard. #17 on the map

Larry Curry added his memories of the tornado.      "I wouldn’t trade “growing up in Pinkstaff Illinois” for anything in the world. In 1956 I was a 6 year old kid living in a world similar to “The Little Rascals” tv show or some knew it as “Our Gang.” With my little neighborhood friends, Jimmie Belcher and Frankie Medlin, Pinkstaff was our playground. We were all over the place, the stores, the barber shop, the elevator, and Bert Conrad’s bulk station. These were our “hangouts.” We rode our bikes all over town; we played in neighbors’ yards; we played on the railroad; and sometime, we even got in trouble.

     I was a second grader in February of 1956 at the Pinkstaff Grade School. I loved going to school at that time because I had a teacher named Oma McCarty, who made going to school fun. So many pleasant memories, with new friends, the playground, the smell of food in the basement cafeteria. Just to hear that old school bell ring again. Even as I stand here now, I cannot help but think about those fond times.

     As a six year old , I was not old enough to understand the phrase, “expect the unexpected” but it happened.  At 2:AM, on Saturday February 25^th, I experienced perhaps the most traumatic event in my life. I was sleeping in a darkened bedroom with my teenage sister Lanie, when all of a sudden, we were awakened by very loud and strong wind. The noise got louder and louder and our house began to shake. I remember going to the window to see what was going on and I became petrified as my sister grabbed me and threw me into her bed. We hung on to each other shaking and fearing for our life. The sound of breaking windows, debris, and tree limbs crashing against our house was terrifying. My dad came in and tried to comfort us as my mom was watching over my younger sister Dobie in another room. My family was just introduced to an F-2 tornado and yes, it did sound like a roaring freight train. Then it was over. Everything became quiet; then daylight came. Somehow our tornado- battered house was still standing.

     My dad and neighbor “Big Med” Medlin were out looking for any injured neighbors. They had flagged the train down due to trees, powerlines, and debris on the railroad tracks. My dad gave us the news that our school was gone. I was devastated and just could not understand what had taken place. My parents made it clear to me to stay in the house because of all the downed trees and power lines. I remember looking out and seeing some neighbors milling around trying to find things in scattered debris. At that time, I wondered where my neighborhood friends were. I remember looking down the alley at Cato Casey’s home and their roof was completely gone. My older brother Carl had tried to get home from Washington, Indiana on a motorcycle, however, the roads were impassable. No one in  my family was injured and I continued to be mesmerized at what had just happened.

      We finally got to see what was left of our school which was just scattered rubble and a bicycle rack. Our school was gone! Nothing made sense to me. My town, my playground, and all my little hangouts were destroyed.  We spent a couple years at Lawrenceville High School while the new school was being built. Over the course of time, our town and our lives were put back together." 

Conclusion tomorrow.