The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1903-10-06
LONG LIST OF VICTIMS
EIGHT DEAD AND TWO SS ORE
INJURED IN CYCLONE AZ
ST. CHARLES, MINI.
PROPERTY DAMAGE ABOUT $3.50, 900
ONLY THREE HOUSES IN THE
TOWN SHOW NO EFFECTS
OF THE TORNADO.

st. Charles, Mimi, Oct. 6-The de-
struction wrought by the cyclone
which swept over this section was
greater than at first reported and the
list OF injured grows as the reports
from the country are received. Eight
victims of the storms fury are dead
and four more are expected to die,
while the list Of injured is estimated
at more than two score. Following is
a list of the dead: John Ebens, Will
lam Ebens, w. o. Chittenden, George
lesson. Ed Murphy, ED Peters OF Den
yer, VIII Vest of Dickinson, H.. and
Jacob Hoem.
In ST. Charles there are but three
houses which show no signs of the
tornado. all others having at least
broAen windows.
An estimate OF the property damage
places the loss at $350.0OO.
Curious Action of the Storm.
The cyclone gyrated over the town.
sucking off fronts OF buildings, crush
Ing others like eggshells. sweeping
away others and generally demolish-
ing everything that ii touched. Curl
ously the storm passed some build
ings with but little damage. while
houses on the Eext lot We're lifted
from their foundations and carried
away
There was some cyclone insurance
carried, but 1t is thought the loss out
side the insurance Will amount to
nearly 100000. Nearly every build
ing struck by the storm will have to
be rebuilt.
Eyewitnesses differ as to the COM
iLg and departure of the tornado, but
all agree that it appeared simultane-
ously In all parts of the town, spread
ing over the place like fan and then
pounding down and crushing every
thing la its path 1t did not appear
to be reinforced by wind. although
terrific wind WIS apparent high In the
air
Many Visitors In the Town.
The city was crowded with farm
ers at the time of the storm, who had
come into the village to do their
weekly trading.
The day was extremely sultry. Dur
Ing the morning slight showers mad
fallen and 1t was evident to all that
ance was cue.
The probability OF an approaching
storm was the general topic until
shortly after 2 O'Clock. when dark
mass OF clouds was noticed in the
southwest Shortly afterward similar
conditions were seen to prevail in the
northwest and the inhabitants spent
ten or fifteen minutes watching their
approach.
Before the seriousness Of the stu
alton was realized the clouds we're
almost over the city. Then began
mad scramble In search OF places OF
safety. The crowd on the main street
surged hither and thither as each In
dividual started for some select spot
Many Take to Cellars.
Those who could find cellars took
refuge In them. but many, believing
that the storm would not be at all
serious. merely entered the larger
buildings.
The two clouds met with deafen-
Ing detonation directly over the VII
lave and before the report of the col
lision had died away the air was
filed with missiles flying In every
direction. Substantial frame houses
collapsed into kindling wood in an
instant and stone and brick struc-
lures were torn from their founda-
tions.
Tin roofs were ripped off and rolled
through the streets like newspapers,
while sections of sidewalk were
dashed against the buildings that re-
mained standing.
The tornado lasted but few mo-
ments. but during that time the havoc
wrought In loss OF life and property
vs. tealr,, Work ~ renairing the