Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-05-17
1UWN SWEPT
BYTORNADO
enc AUndsod posooae Aso kilIod and
ooe Hundesd and Fifty injured
at onyder.
THE PROPERTY Loss ,s aasoooo
Vrame etsues0sss Collapse Like GgQ-
shelIe-oeeupants Are buried
In the Ruins.


al estimates of the number Of persons|
filled by last nights tornado exceed|
100. and $50 persons were injured,
more than 40 seriously. Ninetys1lve
Dersons are known to be dead, sever
q are missing and a number Of the
wounded are in q critical condition.
The wounded found shelter in an i'm,
provised hospital until tonight, when
hey were taken to hospitals in Guth-
RE and Oklahoma City. The financial
loss is estimated at $350.000.
The havoc wrought by the tornado
IL complete. Out Of town Of Loco
people, not more than q score Of
houses are intact. while two-thirds
Of the buildings are tolally wrecked.
The storm formed south Of Olustee,
near the Texas line, and took q north
easterly course through . well settled
section. At o'clock It was observ-
ed by the people Of Snyder, but the
usual funnel shaped formation was
lacking, and though the roar was
plainly heard for some time before
the storm broke, many were OF the
opinion that 1t was hail storm. With
in q few minutes the sky became sud-
denly dark and q terrific downpour
Of rain began, lasting for several min.
utes, when it stopped almost as sud-
denly as It had commenced. A few
moments of 0minous calm followed,
and then the tornado struck, tearing
buildings to pieces as though they
were made Of paper. Many people
who had thought to take advantage
Of the calm to seek refuge In the eel.
l1rs, were caught in the streets and
between buildings, where some were
lifted high in the air and dashed to
the ground as though hurled from q
catapult, while other were struck by
flying debris and crushed almost be.
yond recognition.
Those who remained in their houses,
except in q few blocks in the south.
eastern corner of the town, Jared no
better. The frame structures coll1p.
sed like eggshells, burying many in
the Wreckage. North OF the railroad
track, where many cottages stood, not
one is left, and the wfeckage ts most
~ carried away.
In a few moments it was all over,
and the air was filled with the shrieks
Of the injured, mingled with the cries
of those who had escaped and were
seeking lost ones. Within snort
time messengers were dispatched 10
Nontain Park, two and half mlies
away, where the news was sent by
telephone to Hobart. Physicians ana
nurses were called for, and reliet
trains were made up at Mangun, Ho-
bart, Chickasha and Lawton, ana nuF'
ried to the scene on the Frisco.
Meanwhile the able-bodied surviv-
ors in Snyder were working heroical-
" all through the night amid the
most heartrending scenes. A DuiIo-
ing was utilized for q temporary nos
pi1al and another was used as NOR
eaae. The latter q dry goods building.
presented gruesome appearance
when day daWned, with the cofpees ~
ing tier above tier on the shelves.
The search for bodies continued during
the day and at o'clock tonight 80
had been recovered. Others are be-
Ing searched for, which, with tho cas-
ualties reported from the country. VIII
probably rise the death list to 100.
The most pressing need 10 financial.
ORGANIZATION was perfected among the
citizens today, and appeals were sent
out to leading cities of the territor'
les asking for immediate assistance
In addition to the seriously injured,
who are being cared for Ut the hospi'
tai. many sustained lesser injuries
and are incapacitated for the worl!
Of caring for those who are In need
Of assistance.