Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-05-18
81 DEAD AT SNYDER.
aoO Wounded IL Last Estimate from
Storm Swept Oklahoma Town.
All REMAINING HOUSES UNSAFE.
m,amcult 10 Care for Dead and
WOunded-ReIief Trains Sent
as Bedding and PEovis-
~ ions Needed.

mt of the town Of 1000 people, not
more than score of houses are intact,
while two thirds OF the buildings are
aotally wrecked. The storm formed
aouth Of Oulstee, near the Texas line,
,nud took a northasterly course through
4 we'll settled section. At . O'CLOCK
AZ was Observed by the people OF Snyder
INIT the usual funnel shaped formation
WAS lacking and though the roar was
mainly heard for some time before the
9torm broke, many were Of the opinion
mat II was hail storm. Within few
minutes the sky became suddenly
dark and a terrific downpour OF RAIN
begun, lasting several minutes, when
Il stopped almost as suddenly as IL
mad commenced. A few moments OF
ominous calm followed and then the
tornado struck, tearing buildings 10
pieces as though they were MADE OF
paper. Many people who had thought
20 take advantage Of the calm to seek
refuge in cellars were caught In the
streets and between buildings, where
come were lifted high in the air and
dashed to the ground as though hurled
nom q catapult, while others were
struck by flying debris and beaten
almost beyond recognition. Those VINO
remained In their houses Jared no bet
Tar in the path Of the tornado which
swept across all excepting few blocks
Ia the southeastern corner OF the town.
the frame structures collapsed like egg
SHELLS, burying occupants under the
hebris, killing crushing and manning
Six Of the eight hotels were torn TO
Nieces, burying many in the wreckase
ngorth Of the railroad track where
many cottages stood not one Is leit
md there the wreckage is mostly car
a1ed away. In few moments It was
al over and the air was filled with
ahrieks Of injured, mingled with cries
- those who had escaped and were
seeking lost ones. Within short
cine messengers were dispatched to
Agountain Park, two and one-half miles
away, whore the news was sent by tel
ophone to Hobart. Physicians and
nurses were called for and relief
trains were made UP at Mangum,
REobart, Chickasha and Lawton and
Aurried to the scene by the Frisco,
meanwhile the able bodied survivors
n Snyder were working heroically all
through the night amid the most heart
sending scenes.
A building was utilized for a tenn
wOrary hospital and another used as
q morgue. The latter, a dry goods
Auilding, presented a grewsome ap-
naarance when day dawned with the
iaprpses lying tier above tier on the
ahelves. The search for bodies contin-
GIod during the day and at 6 O'Clock W
Aad been recovered.
Others are being searched for, which,
aviNh the casualties reported from the
pnntry, will probably raise the death
HIT to 100. Several Of the injured will
~ added to the list Of fatalities. The
lost pressing need Is financial.
Organization was perfected among
mo citizens Thursday and appeals were
an. out to leading cities Of the ter
estories asking for immediate assist
ance. In addition to the seriously
aajured who are being cared for at the
Aospatal, many sustained lesser injur-
~ and are incapacitated for the work
q caring for those who are In need
nf assistance.
Guthrie, Ok, May 12.-Telephone re-
Rorts from LAwton, Ok, give fuller
hetails concerning conditions at Sny-
AR. At four O'Clock Thursday after
noon 81 persons we're reported dead at
he Snyder improvised moFgue and the
ut Of injured was placed at 200.
Two trains were started from Lawton
On addition to the regular train from
Nhat place TO Snyder Two hundred
noople have LEFT Lawton for Snyder
- render any assistance possible
The condition Of the buildings at
Snyder IL also spoken Of. 1t is said
chat not one building Is left uninjured
a the whole town. Every building
north OF the Frisco tracks is demolish-
a, including the cotton compress and
ahs round-house.
The mayor Of Snyder is having much
trouble arranging for the burial Of the
dad. The confusion is great owing tc
ne fact that there still remains
mnmber Of unidentified bodies at the
morgues. There is considerable suffer
iing owing to lack Of provisions ant
paaces to stay. What houses remain
An the town are in a bad condition and
are unsafe for habitation besides there
- not room enough to care for the
homeless. Bedding and wearing ap'
parel are both lacking and despite
the effort to succor the unfortunatei
hey are still in q bad condition. Many
a. the wounded could not be cared fol
o. given medical aid until . O'Clock thiI
rmsrning and by that time their wound
-. q, = haa condition