New-York tribune., 1896-04-27
DEATH IN THE WIND.
DEAD BODIES IN THE PATH OF KAN
SAS TORNADO
FIVE PEOPLE KILLED THREE FATALLY WOUND
ED AND SEVENTEEN INJURED-GREAT
DAMAGE DONE TO PROPERTY

Clay Centre. Kan. April ga tornado Of
tremendous force sped through Clay County late
last night. dealing death and destruction at
every hand. As far known tonight, five
people were killed three fatally wounded and
seventeen injured. The dead are: Frank Peter
son. Mrs. Frank Peterson and their child Mrs.
Ole Naverson and a grandchild Of Peter Ander-
full list Of the injured cannot be obtained as
the doctors have not returned from the scene OF
the disaster It Is known, however that every
member Of the families Of John Morris, F. Wei
kin. Peter Anderson aid Henry Gardner was
hurt, and three of them have wounds said to be
fatal.
large number Of horses and cattle were
killed. and the damage to farm property Is i'm
mense. The tornado started about six miles
south Of Clifton, and went in northeastery d.
rection for twelve fifteen miles. and then lost
its force by spreading. 1t passed about half
way between Clifton and Morganville Its track
varied from $50 yards to quarter OF mile in
width. 1t tore through a farming community.
and nothing Is left standing. Houses end barns
were wrecked trees torn up or broken, fences
levelled and hay stacks blown In every direc-
ton.
The tornado was followed by terrific rain
storm. which lasted several hours. flooding the
devastate ted district. There had been Indications
OF heavy rain all day. with local showers. but
nobody expected storm. AS far as learned. the
victims Of the tornado were in their houses. and
the most OF them had retired.
The storm struck Peter Anderson's home at
$50 o'clock This was about a mile from the
starting ppint The house demolished in
an instant Every member OF the Anderson fam
lily was injured. When they had extrics ted
themselves from the wreck they discovered that
Anderson's grandchd missing. The dead
body of the child was found this morning in n
ravine half a mile away 1t had been carried
there by the wind Anderson alarmed the neigh
bors who lived out OF the track OF the storm
and search was begun for victims but little head
way was made in the rain. Couriers were sent
to Clifton and Morganvle for doctors. but 1t was
daylight before they arrived Many OF the IN
jured lay all night. pinned down by wreckage.
while others crawled or hobbled across the
country to neighboring houses.
In several instances persons were lfted INTO
the air by the wind and carried for distance
and then suddenly dropped. Buildings also
were lifted up and hurled to the ground with
terrific force. The wife and daughter or John
Morris were reading when the shock came The
house was divided. The women managed 10 get
out, when the wind picked them up. carried
them 200 yards and dropped them on pile or
straw The people for miles around to-day
gathered at the different points where damage
had been done and rendered assistance In every
way possible The track of the storm resem-
bled a piece Of ground leveled with roller.
II Is believed much damage was done In the
vicinity OF Palmer, Washington County. but the
details cannot be learned.
II ia impossible at this time to estimate the
damage to buildings and other property.