The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-02
Topeka IsEisited by a Miniature
~ Tornado.
e
Barns Wrecked and Shade Trees
Destroyed.
PATH is 80 FEET WIDE.
Swept Furiously Through the
Washburn Campus.
"The House Was Rocked and
All Was Dark"
This LIS the Way Mrs. Anderson
Described the Experience.

| A miniature tornado swept over the
southwestern portion of Topeka Thurs
day evening.
Just before the heavy rain storm
| fell over Topeka on Thursday evening
about o'clock, the tornado dipped
down near Burnett's mound and swept
across College hill in northeasterly
direction, striking at intermittent
points, and cutting a path 80 feet in
width. The twister either lifted, or
spent it's force on the big vacant tract
of land just north of Euclid school
1t was witnessed by many people in
Topeka.
The damage consisted of ruined
crops where the wind struck in corn
fields, two completely destroyed barns,
and several outhouses. with minor de-
struction such as broken window
panes, downtown chimneys, shingles
torn from the roof. ETC., and the up
roofing of about 15 valuable shade
trees on College hill and the practical
ruin of about as many more.
The damage occurred at the follow
ing places:
w. H Lincoln, just southwest of the
Washburn campus, barn completely
destroyed, value, $3.50.
Washburn college campus, eight old
elm and cedar trees torn out by the
roots, and about the same number
ruined Shingles torn from the roof
of Within hall and the cornices and
water Spouting damaged.
George Buchanan, 1881 West street,
shed torn away from the barn. win
dow panes and screens broken on the
south and west sides of the house, and
four full-grown trees entirely uproot-
ed in the yard
w. D. Anderson, 1901 West street,
barn entirely destroyed, and blown
clear across the alley, value, $3.50.
w. H Anderson, 1900 West street,
barn wrecked, and large shade tree
uprooted, loss, $780,
AT the residence of Mss Irving, 1890
Byron street, and of Ar, c. w. Higgins
at 1924 Byron street, strips of shingles
were torn from the roof. At the former
place a coal house was completely
wrecked.
The people who live in the path over
which the cyclone travelled say that 1t
lasted for but d few seconds, and was
accompanied by a terrific noise. All
of them say that the houses Snook and
rocked as though they were going to
pieces. While the storm passed, it be-
came very dark All the indications of
the real twister were on hand, but luck
lily it adopted jumping tactics and the
damage was limited. No injuries to
people or to stock are reported.
Farmers who live out near the Mound
stated that for a few moments the air
was full of flying corn stalks, boards,
hay, branches from trees and similar
debris.
AS usual the storm was freakish In
the barn which was destroyed at the
home of w. H. Lincoln, southwest of
Washburn college, was glass door.
This was carried a distance of half a
block, and when found by Mr.. Lincoln
this morning, was entirely undamaged.
Not q crack was in the glass. On the
campus, the tops were clip
ped out of a number of the big cedar
trees, just as though they had been cut
out with a saw. One of the big cedarS
which was uprooted, was carried away
by the wind like a tumble-wood, over
in front of the chapel. The handsome
elm which stood at the southeast cor
ner of DR.. McVicar's residence at the |
of the walk to Holbrook,w was
twisted about like a top and absolutely
ruined. A section was torn out OF the |
hedge fence and two of the trees just |
beyond, snapped off at the base.
The storm then jumped without caus- |
ing more damage, to the residence OF
George Buchanan. who is employed at
the Palace Clothing store, at 1851 west
street. A shed was torn loose from the
barn, but only slightly damaged. -Four |
big trees were torn out of the ground |
Mr.. Buchanan felt very much concern
ed over the loss of the latter.
The barn of w. D. Anderson at 1901
West street was picked up out OF q
bunch of outbuildings and thrown |
across the alley against the barn of w.
H. Anderson. 1t was completely batter
ed into kindling wood, and tore away
almost half of the latter structure. At
both of these places the weIl-curbs
were carried about 50 feet. At the house
Of w. H. Anderson, wagon, facing
the south. was picked up and carried
to the east about 100 feet and set down
facing the other way, and not injured
in the least. A COW was tethered to the
tree which was uprooted in this yard,
The animal suffered no injury.
On the houses of Mr.. Higgins and
Miss Irving strips of shingles were torn
from the roof as though the work had
been done with a spade. The coal shed
at the latter place was picked up from
beside barn and battered into stove
wood.
Mrs. w. H Anderson was sitting at
the window when the storm passed
over. When asked about it she replied;
1T happened so quickly, lasting not
more than 20 seconds, that l really can
not say much about IT. 1t got dark
and made an awful noise. My husband
and my son had not finished eating sup
per. My son jumped up and said:
We're gone The house rocked ana
we thought it would fall. But every
hing was over in less time than 1t
lakes to tell it,
The temperatures today are as fol-
7 o'clock III O'Clock k.....74
8 O'Clock ..... SO II o'clock -..... .76
o O'Clock. o'clock..-.-..so 80
Wind miles north; minimum today:
IN maximum Yesterday, Sc; rain 0.46