The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-05-19
Town Of Snyder, Oklahoma,
Swept By Tornado.
ONE HUNDRED LOST.
Not More than Score Of Houses Left
In Tact. Relief Being Sent from
Neighboring Towns. Fire
Followed in the Wake
Of the Storm.
Of the Storm.

A dispatch from Snyder, o. T.,
Thursday night says that uptodate
the number Of known dead as a re-
suit of the tornado has reached 100
Arrangements have been made to
convey all the injured, who can be
moved, to hospitals at Oklahoma
City and Lawton.
The havoc wrought by the tornado
Is astonishing. Out OF a town that
housed LOCO persons not more than a
score Of houses are intact while two
thirds OF the buildings are wrecked.
The storm formed south of Olustee,
near the Texas line, and took north
easterly course, through a we'll settled
region. at O clock it WAS observed
by the people OF Snyde er. 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 tho opinion that it was
a hail storm. Within few minutes
the sky sue denly became dark and q
terrific downpour of rain began, last.
ing for several minutes. Then the
rain stepped almost as suddenly as 1t
started. For a few moments, an omi-
nous calm ( flowed, aud then the tor
nado struck, tearing buildings to
pieces as though they weie made Of
paper.
Eighty. five bodies have been recov-
cred, a dozen persons are misstrg and
given up for dead, and OF the Al Sc
riously Injured, several are likely to
n Ia Ia, !
less severe Injuries.
Relief is going from neighburrg
towns. Oklahoma city has sent 100
men to dig graves and seek the dead
still in the ruins. and dozen under
takers with 100 C, fins. Ofars Of
financial assistance have come from
numerous cities.
Gov. Ferguson of Oklahoma has is
sued proclamation calling attention
to the needs Of the stricken town.
1t is still difficult to obtain infor.
nation from Snyder. a single tele-
graph wire furnishes an outlet, but 1t
Is blocked private messages concern
ing the dead and the injured.
TO add to the general confusion
and distress alter the tornado had
passed, fire broke out and burned up
all that remained of the buildings in
one OF the business blocks. So far it
has not been poS2ible 10 find out
whether any bodies vere cremated,
but 1t is possible that such is the
case.
An unidentified man was pick I'd
up dead, having been pnioned to the
ground by large silver which enter.
ed her left eye and came out through
the back OF her head. Clarence Den
ovan, railroad engineer, and Miss
Nina Fessenden we're to have been
married last hight, Duc had just post.
poned the nuptials until morning.
Both were Instantly killed by the
storm.
:, Fred Crump, boy, had started to
q cellar wheI flying tim Der decapi
tated him. Debris vas Carried nor.h,
west as far as CoOpertun, II miles,
and 1t is reported that there are more
fragments at that town than in the
tornado Path at Snyder.
1.-The mayor OF Snyder Is having
much trouble arranging for the burial
OF. the dead. The confusion is great,
owing to the fact that there are num-
bers OF unidentified bodies at the
morgues.
There is much suffering owing to
lack OF provisions aud places to stay.
What houses remain in the town are
In bad condition and are unsafe for
habitation. Besides there is not
room enough to care for the home
less. Bedding and wearing apparel
are both lackii &, and despite the ef.
fort to succOr the unfOri unateS they
are still in pitiabc condition. Many
OF the injured could not be cared for
or given medical aid until morning
and by that Time the wounds were
aggravated Or. York OF Hobart
who was active in relieving the SUI
fering, says that 20 per cent. Of the
injured will die.
Kiilt Il by Nervous Shock.
A dispatch TO the Augusta Chroni