The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-03-11
TORNADO IN ARKANAs
KILLS 80 PEOPLE

W. ASSSAo, NAO'3 NAoAs -. AA SPY
cial to the Post-D Dispatch from
Brinkley, Ark, says 80 persons
were killed and Is to 40 injured
and more than 81, 100000 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
z 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
have been Identified:
PORTER tFOOTE.
MRS. BELLE DARDEN.
J. l.. STERRETT, a travelling shoe.
salesman.
HENRY sTovALL. JR.
MRS. PHILLIPS.
CHARLES FRENZE.
MISS CLARA ROSE.
MR.. 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 take
charge of the situation.
The governor replied he would leave
for the scene at once.
Because OF wire decentralization the
Cotton Belt passenger train could not
be located last night, and a report sent
out was that it nae been blown from
the tracks near Baucum. Officials Of
the railroad at Memphis stated today
that the train was safe.
Relief Trains Arrive.
Relief trains nave arrived at the
scene. but all wire communication is
interrupted.
Reports from southern and south-
eastern Arkansas say a heavy wind
storm passed over those sections of the
damage to o%uthouses 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
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 If it were a toy.
the 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 in
darkness, the street filled with a terror
stricken throng, shrieks mingling with
the means Of the injured. intermittent
nashes OF lightning revealed wreckage
everywhere.
As Kimmell and companions made
their way through the streets, they
identified two dead. and stumbled over
others who were wounded. Huddled
about the ruins of their homes, fam
lilies We're standing in groups. clinging
together In terror. while here and there
~searchers were cropping about in quest
OF missing members 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, Kim,nell and party were forced tc
retrace their steps because of the gale
Al they returned. the fire gained head.
way and. famed by IA stiff wind
spreading, but prompt work of the cit
liens suppressed the ~confagration.
Boarding q locomotive Kimmell ant
his companions. j. NJ. Wojtansky, ]
Richards, a lineman. and Conductor
Gale. made a quick run here. bringing
the first news of the storm and an APP.
peal for aid.
See Fire Twenty Miles.
Forest City, Ark, March e.-Lat,
,advices from Brinkley indicate tha
practically the entire town Is a mas.
OF ruins. and that eight persons hav,
been killed and the injured will b.
numbered by the scores. The fire a
2 o'clock this morning was still burn.
ing and the reflection can be seer here
a distance OF 20 miles.
Several physicians from this place
as Well as many nurses, were dispatch
ed to Brinkley at midnight, and othe
towns are rushing aid to the stricken
city.
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