Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-03-19
TORNADO IN ARKANAS
KILLS 80 PEOPLE

st. Louis, Mo-, Mar. IA spe-
tial to the Post-D Dispatch from
Brinkley, Ark, says 80 persons
were killed and Is to 40 injured
and more than ST., 600 900 worth Of
property loss was caused by the
cyclone which swept the city OF
5000 population last night.
The city is a total loss. The
cyclone passed over last night at
o'clock and when daylight re-
vealed the work today, it was
found the business section was In
ruins and nine out Of 10 residences
had been destroyed.
The Dead.
Among the dead the following white
nav been identified;
PORTER FOOTE.
MRS. BELLE DARDEN.
J. l.. STERRET'T. q travelling shoe
salesman.
HENRY sTovALL, JR.
MRS. PHILLIPS.
CHARLES FRENZE.
MISS CLARA ROSE.
MIR. HOOD.
MRS. HOOD.
A mass meeting OF citizens was held
In Brinkley today and a telegram sent
to Governor Donaghey at Little Rock.
urging him to go to Brinkley and lake
charge of the situation.
The governor replied he would leave
for the scene at once.
Because Of wire Generalization n
Cotton Belt passenger train could not
be located last night. and a report sent
out was that 1t had been blown from
the tracks near Baucum. Oficials or
the railroad at Memphis stated today
that the train was safe.
Relief Trains Arrive.
Relief rains have arrived at tho
scene, but all wire communication Is
interrupted.
Reports from southern and south
eastern Arkansas say q heavy wind
storm passed over those sections OF the
state last night. doing considerable
damage to outhouses and small build
ings, but no loss OF life Is reported.
l.. M. Kimmell, railroad operator at
Brinkley, one OF the first to reach a
point of communication to summon aid
for the devastated town, graphically
describes the scenes Immediately fol-
lowing the passing OF the storm. To-
gether with several companions, Kim
nell was in the Rock Island depot when
the storm struck. As IL 1t were q toy,
h substantial structure was twisted
and broken. the occupants being caught
among the falling timbers. bruised, but
otherwise unhurt.
Shrieks and Means.
Extricating themselves after half an
hours effort, they found the town I'm
darkness. the street filled with a terror
stricken throng. shrieks mingling with
the moans of the injured. Intermittent
flashes OF lightning revealed wreckage
everywhere.
AS KimmelI and companions made
their way through the streets, they
identified two dead, n stumbled w
others who were wounded. Huddled
about the ruins Of their homes. fam
lies were standing In group cling;ng
together In terror, while here and there
searchers were cropping about In quest
OF missing embers OF the household.
Fire Adds to Horror.
AS the party started to leave Brink
ley. intending to walk to the nearest
town. the added horror of fire APP
peared. When two miles from Brink
ley, Kimmeli and party were forced to
retrace their steps because OF the gale.
AS they returned. the fire gained head
way and. fanned by a stiff wind.
spreading, but prompt work of the cit,
liens suppressed the c~onf1agratien.
Boarding a locomotive Kimmell and
his companions. J. M. Wojtansky, j..
Richards, q lfneman, and Conductor
Gale, made a quick run here, bringing
the first news of the storm and an ap-
peal for aid.
See Fire Twenty Miles.
Forest City, Ark. March 9.-Late
advices from Brinkley indicate that
practically the entire town Is a mass
OF ruins, and that eight persons have
been killed and the injured will be
numbered by the scores. The fire al,
2 o'clock this morning was still burn,
| ing and the reflection can be seen here,
n distance OF 20 miles.
Several physicians from this place,
as well as many nurses. were Dispatch
| ed TO Brlnkley at midnight, and other
towns are rushing aid to the stricken
city.
MIkADo,s y To wEn