In October of 1882, the evangelical tent services of Major Penn were disrupted at Alexander when tornadic winds struck. “To be brief, the scene was one never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. About 10:00 PM the wind blew up a storm, and the rain poured in torrents, and the darkness was Egyptian [?] in its intensity except when it was lightening . A momentary glance as the scene was illuminated showed men and women rushing wildly about, some with blood streaming from wounds in the head and face and the air was rent with the screams of distracted women and shouts of agonized fathers and the plaintive wails of children.” Stephenville Empire