The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-09


last night. The city is total loss.
Memphis, Tenn. March 9.-Advices
from Brinkley, Ark, received here to-
day show that ten white persons and
four negroes were killed in last nights
tornado. Fifteen or twenty people were
injured.
The Dead.
Porter Foote.
Mrs. Belle Darden.
J. L. Sterrett, a travelling salesman.
Henry Stovall, Jr.
Mrs. Phillips.
Charles Frenze.
Miss Clara Rose.
Mr.. Hood.
Mrs. Hood
Unidentified man.
Four negroes.
A mass meeting of citizens was held
at Brinkley today and a telegram was
sent to Governor Donahgey at Little
Rock, urging him to go to Brinkley and
take charge of the situation.
The governor replied that he would
leave for the scene at once
Because of wire Generalization
Cotton Belt passenger train could not
be located last night and a report was
sent out that it had been blown from
the tracks near Baucum- The officials
of the railroad in Memphis stated to-
day that the train was safe.
st. Louis March 9.-A message to the
Post Dispatch direct from Brinkley,
Ark, says that the death list as the
result of the tornado in that town will
reach 20.
Refugees Coming Out.
Wheatley. Ark, March 9.-Residents
of Brinkley, Ark, which was. de-
vastated by a tornado last night are
arriving here.
Brinkley is a town of over 5000 in
habitants and the refugees say that
the entire business section was
demolished by the storm and prob
ably so per cent of the residences were
razed or rendered uninhabitable. Re
lief trains have arrived at the scene
but all wire communication is in
Reports from southern and south
eastern Arkansas say a heavy wind
storm passed over those sections of
the state last night doing considerable
to small building but no loss
of life is reported.
r.. L. Depot Struck.
L. NJ. Kimmell, a railroad operator.
at Brinkley, one of the first to reach
a point of communication to sum
graphically describes the scenes in the
passing of the storm. Together with
several companions Kimmell was in
the Rock Island depot when the storm
struck. AS if it were toy the sub
stancial structure was twisted ana
broken, the occupants being caught
among the falling timbers and bruised.
but otherwise unhurt.
Extricating themselves after half an
hours effort they found the town in
darkness, the streets filled with ter
ror stricken throng, their shrieks
mingling with the means of the in
iured intermittent flashes of light
ming revealed wreckage everywhere. a
portion of building standing here
and again only tangled mass of de-
bris.
AS Kimmen and his companions
made their way through the streets
they identified two of the dead and
stumbled over others who were
Hudd1ed about the ruins OF
heir homes families were standing In
groups clinging together in terror
while here and there searcher was
rroping about in quest of a missing
of the household.
AS the party started to leave Brink
ey. intending to walk to the nearest
own. the added horror of fire appeared.
When two miles from Brinkley, Kim
nell and party were forced to retrace
heir steps because of the gale. The
ire gained headway but the prompt
york of the citizens suppressed it.
Boarding a locomotive Kimmell with
everal companions made a quick run
lere and appealed for aid