The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
Nearly an Inch Of Precipitation
Falls in Topeka.
Rainfall Also Reported From
Over the State.
TORNADO IN WEST.
Rock Island Freight Train
Blown Off Track.
Wires Are Down and Reports of
Damage Meager.

The greater part of Kansas was visit
ed by spring showers during the night
and this morning. The rain was heavy
in number of localities. The precipi-
tation in Topeka amounted to 10 of an
inch and a showery threatening condi-
ton prevailed this morning during
which light rain fell. In several places
in the state heavy winds accompanied
the shower and heavy damage is re-
ported from the extreme northwestern
part of the state.
A wind of tornado proportions is re-
ported from Brewster. Thomas county.
although the exact amount of damages
done can not be ascertained at this time
as the wires are down. The Rock Is
land railroad reports a general rain
over it's lines in Kansas with prevailing
high winds. At Topeka the wind reach
ed velocity of 30 miles an hour at Ii
O'Clock which was the maximum for the
past "a hours. though not an excep-
tionally high wind and one which re-
suited in no damage of any kind.
Tuesday was an ideal spring day as
was its predecessor but according to
the best information obtainable by the
weather department, spring is due for
short vacation this evening. The length
of the vacation period cannot be de-
termined at this time but snow or rain
is predicted for tonight with a consid-
cradle drop in the temperature readings,
perhaps freezing weather condition
again.
The weather map for Kansas Tuesday
showed conditions favorable to cyclones
and tornadoes but none were anticipa-
ted for the reason that they rarely oc-
cur in this part of the country at any
time and especially at this season of
the year. This report strengthens the
belief that there was violent disturb
ance in the northwestern part of the
state during the night and that the ell
ements massed their fierceness at Brew
ster with the result that a tornado pre-
vailed.
Tornado at Edison.
A special message from Edison.
small town midway between Brewster
and Goodland, brings the inforn1atfon
Of a tornado at that point between nine
and ten o'clock last night. A Rock
Island freight train was struck by the
storm three miles east of Edison AMI
ten cars blown from the track. Two of
the cars were lifted clear of the right OF
way and carried into an adjacent pas
ture.
Several other cars were turned cross
wise of the track and scattered about
the right of way blocking traffic for q
number of hours. Wreckers were at
the scene before midnight and the
track was cleared for traffic shortly
after daylight. The train was in charge
of Conductor Hanson and Engineer
Peterson. neither of whom were injured
or were any of the members Of the
train crew.
Reports from the northwest corner of
the state say a severe storm Of rain
and sleet accompanied by freezing tenn
peratureS. Reports received at the
Santa Fe telegraph office show that
the storm was less severe along the |
lines of this company which traverse
the southern and central parts of the
state However showers fell clear TO
the west line of the state. though no
mention is made of high winds.
The telegraph communication in the
state has been badly crippled and many |
of the trains are running a number of
hours late as a result of the storm in |
Kansas and in Colorado. Snow is fall |
ing in Colorado accompanied by high |
winds and this has affected the traffic |
of the roads traversing this part of the |
country.
The fact that cold weather is antici- |
pated for Kansas is hailed with delight
by the fruit raisers of the state in as
much as it will give the fruit set
back and it will not be as likely to be
killed as though the spring like wealth |
er had continued for a week or so. |
Trees and shrubs are budded in this
part of the state and the sap has COM |
menced to rise in the trunks of the |
trees 1t will take a temperature sew |
eral degrees below the freezing point to |
injure the prospects of a fruit crop at
this time.
TAI mNMHNRRR@ |