The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-03-25
HUNDREDS DIE IN
OMAHA TORNADO
Blocks Of Buildings Are Laid
in Ruins.
PROPERTY LOSS ENORMOUS
Residence Section OF Nebraska Town
Swept by Wind and Fire-Troops
Guard Ruins-Many Killed or In
iured at Other Places.

Swept by Wind and Fire-Troops
Guard Runs-Many Killed or In.
jured at Other Places.
Omaha, Neb, March z5.-Fully 100
persons were killed, 200 badly injured
and hundreds of thousands of dollars
worth of property was destroyed Dy
the tornado which swept through
Omaha and it's suburbs in a path foul
to six blocks wide and more than
eight miles long.
The streets are filled with wreck
age OF houses, uprooted trees and tan
gled electric wires. Street car move
ment is impossible, wagon and auto
mobile travel almost SO. More than
$50 residences were destroyed and 25G
badly damaged
The list of dead, although already
a long one, is believed by those who
have been over a good part of the
devastated territory to be but be
ginning Fire, which broke out in
many of the wrecked buildings, add
ed to the horrors of the situation, AL
fires have been put out.
The first and main storm struck
Ralston, three miles west of South
Omaha, and moved in northeasterly
direction through the city of Omaha
The only point at which the force OF
the storm struck the business section
was Twenty-fourth and Lake streets.
Here the Diamond theater, moving
picture concern, well filed, was wreck
ed. According to the best available
figures at least thirty of the patrons
were killed. Between forty and fifty
more were killed in the wreck of pool
hall nearby, which was patronized by
negroes.
The well defined path Of the storm
ended at Carter lake, near the Missis-
sippi river, north OF the city. Fire
broke out in the ruins and wrecked
buildings The fires burned themselves
were brought under control Of volun
teer bucket brigades."
The second storm swept across the
Missouri river. doing considerable
damage in Council Bluffs.
Figures compiled place the number
of known dead in Council Bluffs at
nine, with score injured.
Governor Morehead, Mayor Dahl
man and Police Commissioner Ryder,
of Omaha, thought that 200 might be
dead. RepcTts from CoLacai Eaa7sSs
were to the effect that four more bod
les had been recovered from the ruins
of homes there. The list of injured is
expected to reach more than the esti-
mates Many have been found in the
homes of friends, where they took
refuge after the storm
After visiting the scene of the storm
Governor Moorhead issued orders for
the mobilization of three companies of
the state militia from outside the city.
The local companies were already at
work assisting the police and regular
soldiers from Fort Creek, together
with the city firemen, in the work of
rescue. Three hundred regulars were
called out.
The morgues and hospitals were be-
sieged by friends and relatives OF the
dead and injured and others made
frantic efforts to learn of the fate of
loved ones. Although line Of soldiers
and police was thrown around the path
Of the storm soon after it had passed, |
much looting was reported.
Just as soon as the extent of the
disaster was understood by the citi |
zens a relief fund was started. Within |
an hour thousands Of dollars had been
contributed. Many of the city's wealth |
lest men were back of the movement. |
Public buildings were thrown open as
a place OF refuge for the sufferers.
Nearly every home within a dozen
miles of the stricken district is filled |
with unfortunates. All the hospitals IN
the three cities-Omaha, South Omaha
and Council Bluffs-are filed, and IN |
many ON them the halls and corridors
are crowded with cots.
Storms Sweep In City.
The stretch of Omaha covered by |
the tornado reaches from the south.
ern limits 10 the suburb of Florence,
six miles north of its origin The |
storm swept the western part of the
city for its entire length, following the
west side Of the valley, extending |
along the Missouri river bluffs. The
eastern half of the city-generally |
the business section-Was
put of the path of the storm. but sui
tered greatly. The section damaged
Is the residential section. A number OF
outlying business thoroughfares also
are in the destroyed area.
Omaha's suburbs suffered heavily |
from the storm Ralston, southwest |
Of Omaha, was razed and half score
DR. more are dead. East Omaha, which |
felt the tail of the "twister," reported
houses demolished, but no lives lost.
Council Bluffs, Iowa, suffered nine
dead, a score or more injured and
great damage to property.
The worst damage was done and
the largest toll Of lives was exacted
In the western part of Omaha and IN |