Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-05-21
TERRIBLE TORNADO.
A Windstorm Works Devastation
in Iowa and Illinois.
Over scGre of Lives Lost-Farm Houses
and Harms Torn to Pieces and Hun
drsds OF Cattle Killed by tho
Storms Fury.

aud Harms Torn TO Pieces anu nun
drsds OF Cattle Killed by the
Storms Fury.
CLINTON, Ia, May ia.--0vcr n score
OF lives were lost and thousands OF
dollars worth OF property was de-
stroyed by tornado which swept
Clinton and jackson counties yester-
day afternoon. The storm jumped
into western Illinois near Savannah,
and It was ut that point that the loss
Of human life was greatest 'Tele-
graph and telephone facilities were
parnlyzed last night, and the full ex-
tent Of tho storm is yet to be learned.
The dead so far reported are: At Pres
ton, IL, Charles Flora, Mrs. Charles
Flora and three children Of the Flo
ras; ut Quigley, H., William OMeara
and child of John Clark; ut Riggs sta
tion, Ia. Martin Hines and daughter
of Michael Scion; at Stanwood, Ia,
Michael Maloney and Luke Maloney;
at Delmar junction, H., Oba Allison
and II. Clemenson; at Savannah, ILL.,,
four persons, names unknown; Mt
Skillman Valley, ILL.,, Michael Nelson,
wife and two children; ut Adeline, ILL.,,
two unknown persons; at Byron, ILL.,,
Richard Reese; at Pawpaw, ILL.,, hrs
Frank Chicester.
The storm, which worked such de-
vastation in the rich farming counties
along the eastern border OF Iowa and
western Illinois, started shortly after
three o'clock yesterday afternoon, n
mile south of Stanwood. From Stan
wood the storm moved rapidly in n
northeastcrly direction, passing over
the northwestern part Of Clinton
county, and then over the southern
portion of jackson county. This sec
ton of the state is thickly settled.
No towns were in the path OF the
storm, but farm houses and barns were
torn to pieces by the score The storm
was seen approaching by many OF the
farmers, and they sought refuge in
the cellars. At least %. however, I'M
able to find shelter, were killed out
right and probably rs many more were
seriously injured by flying timbers.
The path of the storm varied from 40
rods in some parts OF Clinton county
to so feet in jackson county. Trees
and outhouses were torn to pieces
Roofs Of farm houses were lifted like
straws and carried half mile along
the path of the storm and then hurled
against the walls of big stock barns,
cutting them in two and killing hun
dreds OF cattle which had taken shell
ter in the sheds from the storms fury.
Half n dozen school buildings are
known to have been destroyed, but 1t
is not thought that any OF the pupils
persisted, most of them having just
about reached home when the storm
broke out Near Creston, H., more
buildings were destroyed than in any
other locality. The wind whirled
through the little village with fright
full velocity. leaving scarcely q house
standing. Five persons lost their lives
here. Charles Flora, with his wife
and three children, had their home
tOTu W piCCco "GiO SAuohSN w
death under the falling walls.
The tornado crossed to Illinois be-
tween Savannah and Thompson. One
family OF four persons was wiped out
near Savannah. Passing to east, much
damage was done. but it was confined
almost entirely to outbuildings, etc.
No lives are thought to have been lost
anywhere in Illinois, except those
men ioned near Savannah. Telegraph
and telephone wires are down in all
directions, but it Is believed that the
storm spent its force shortly after
passing over Savannah.
Another tornado formed at Amboy,
ILL.,, shortly before dark yesterday
evening. The storm cloud formed
about six miles south OF Amboy and
took an easterly course. 1t travelled
about 90 miles without changing its
course and destroyed everything in its
path. Orchards, farm houses and
barns were destroyed, but no lives are
known to have been lost. Owing to
the peculiar atmospheric conditions
prevailing oil afternoon the inhab-
itants were on the lookout for just
what happened. At the first alarm
they took to the cellars and many Of
them were imprisoned for hours by
the timbers OF their wrecked homes.
Live stock suffered considerably and
the loss to property generally will
amount to thousands Of dollars.
At Amigo, Wis, scores OF houses
were leveled, many were unroofed
and o score OF people were injured.
The electric light plant and water.
works were wrecked. A heavy storm
was general in Wisconsin and farm
property suffered great loss.
A destructive storm swept through
western and southern Ringgold coun'
ty, Ia, Tuesday night. some IS miles
southwest OF this city. The buildings
of j. A. Miller, east Of Blockton, were
swept away and Miller and his daugh.
ter injured, the latter having both
legs broken. At Malloy the school.
house and Great Western depot were
wrecked. Just south OF Malloy Vint
Worthington's house was demolished
and an old lady, name not learned,
was badly hurt
A Duluth, Mimi, dispatch says that
q tornado struck the village of PEN
nington, on the 500 line, yesterday
afternoon, practically wiping out the
place. Three persons are known to
have been killed and probably 30 are
injured