Yesterday was the 96-year anniversary of the tornado that destroyed Peggs, Oklahoma. I wrote about that sad event when I was writing feature stories for The Tahlequah Daily Press, in the 1980s. The newspaper story was my blog post here on this site on May 2, three years ago. Yesterday, I put a link to that blog on the Facebook page, “You Might Be From Tahlequah If…”
The response to this posting was overwhelming. More than 300 people visited. If you are interested in reading about that devastating tornado, here are the links: http://www.blanchedaymanos.com/winds-of-change/ and http://www.blanchedaymanos.com/winds-of-change-conclusion/?preview_id=559&preview_nonce=1a487525cb&preview=true
I like history and many of you do too. We want to read what has gone on before. To me, the best records of history are from those who have first-hand knowledge; those who were there. I want to see things through their eyes.
The story of Peggs is a story of sudden and unexpected tragedy, of people who had no idea they were about to draw their last breaths or, in the case of survivors, that without warning, they would be separated from those dearest to them. I’ve heard that light shines brightest in the darkest night and the Peggs tornado is proof of this. People immediately came to help, from the doctor doing surgery when his only light was his car’s head lamps to the man who helped dig the many, many graves, working for hours.
If you drive through Peggs today, there is little evidence of the heartbreak and horror that once hit that little town, except if you go to the cemeteries. Then, you might wonder at the number of people who died on the same day. There is little to show of the courage and selflessness of those who hurried, whether by car, horseback, wagon, or walking, to help, but the memories linger in many hearts and minds. Peggs is a part of our history and we do well to remember.
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