The Illinois Central Ghost Light in Beauregard, Mississippi
The Flagstop Mystery
Positioned astride a long sweeping curve in the Illinois-Central Gulf Railroad, the town of Beauregard in Copiah County, Mississippi is no stranger to terror and tragedy. On March 3, 1966 a tornado ripped through the area and killed fifty-eight people. Even earlier in the town’s history, on the afternoon of Sunday April 22, 1883, an F-3 tornado swept along a 55-mile track through the town and almost wiped Beauregard clean.
More than a hundred people were injured in that twister. The storm destroyed more than forty homes and businesses. Only three houses escaped major damage. Fortunately, one house that survived was a three-story home on the edge of town belonging to Dr. Elias A. Rowan. Like most country doctor’s homes in those days, Dr. Rowan’s house also served as the hospital for the community. He took in the bulk of the injured. Despite Dr. Rowan’s tireless efforts to lessen the victims suffering, eleven still died from the Beauregard tornado of 1883.
The town’s residents never forgot Dr. Rowan’s efforts. He remained respected as a member of the community, not only as town doctor, but for his work with the church and…