Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-09
DEADLY
 TORNADO.
Twenty . Four Per.
 sons Perish.
One Section of the Town of Marquette Wiped Out A Number Were Also Injured.

Marquette, Kansas, May Given
 ty-four persons are known to
 have been killed and over thirty-five were injured in tornado, the most dis
 astrous in the history of central Kan
 sas, which swept over this portion of
 the state at midnight. One large sec
 ton of Marquette, where the principal JOSS of life occurred, was entirely wip-
 ed out. Reports from surrounding
 country show that the destruction to
 life and property was widespread, and
 the list of dead and injured is grow
 ing constantly. A storeroom belong ing to Olaf Olson, a furniture dealer, has been converted into a temporary morgue and at 9:3O twenty-four dead bodies had been brought in. Follow ing the storm the utmost confusion prevailed and it will be some time be- fore the actual extent of the storm Is known.
 The tornado struck the southern end of the town and cut a clean swath one hundred yards in width through its en- tire length. Coming as it did at mid- night, the people were caught without moments warning. A heavy rain storm had preceded the wind and after the tornado passed a scene of complete desolation followed.
 The tornado broke upon the town with great force, wrought its terrible havoc within few minutes time ana continuing on into the farming country north of Marquette, caused further damage.
 In Marquette many residences were completely demolished, the wreckage being carried away entirely, while oth- CTS were picked up bodily, moved short distance away and dropped to earth.
 Many of the victims were killed as they lay asleep; others maimed and bleeding awoke to find themselves buried in the wreckage of their former homes.
 Following the storm came a lull Soon cries of the injured and frighten- ed people could be heard on every hand. Men with lanterns appeared here and there among the wreckage and as quickly as possible the work of rescue was begun. Progress was slow because of the darkness and it was some time before anything like sys- tematic effort could be made to remove the injured, and before aid was asked of neighboring towns.
 Marquette is a town of 1,500 people, In McPherson county. It is in the ex- act center of Kansas and in the rich. est farming country in the state.
 When daylight broke over the town it found the entire population in state of panic. Business was entirely sus- pended and every one who escaped in jury turned his attention toward aiding the wounded.
 The tornado seems to have formed three miles south of Marquette and did not spend it's force until it had passed many miles north of the town. In the residence portion west of the main street suffered the princi- ] pal damage. The houses fin the course l of the tornado were all with two or three exceptions completely wrecked. In this section there were a number of modern residences of which only one. the home of R. A.. Thompson, was left | The Swedish Lutheran and Methodist churches were among the | first buildings struck and they, 70 yether with the parsonage adjoining | the Methodist church, were de- mOlished.
 Yesterday afternoon was hot and op- presslve. Late that evening a terrific | rainstorm broke over the town. The | rain continued to fall in torrents until when the tornado struck. | Within less than five minutes it had | its terrible work and passed ,n.. Telegraph and telephone wires were carried down and it was several hours before the outside world could De apprised of the plight of the city.