The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-25

ing that he would hasten action be-
fore the state legislature to secure suf-
ficient funds for the immediate care
of storm victims.
Stiffness of Atmosphere.
Not entirely without warning did
the tornado strike Omaha The day
had been one of fitful sunshine and
winds Immediately before the rush
of the storm the sun sank behind dark
clouds and the death-foretell1ng still
ness of atmosphere settled over the
city Darker and darker grew the
afternoon. People, in their curiosity,
mingled with fear of an approaching
storm, wen to their front porches to
Easter glory, hastened homeward.
People instinctively sought refuge OF
indoors Then, out of the settling
darkness and as though born OF the
career of horror. A roar a furious
cry of the death wind, and 152 lives
IN Omaha were snuffed out almost on
the moment, while more than 5VV
other human lives writhed in agony
in the narrow path of the storm which
has no equal in the state of Nebraska
From somewhere in Cass county, the
tornado developed, rushing onward
toward the northeast, wiping out the
town of Yutan and then hurting
through Waterloo and RalSton, leav-
ing death, agony, misery and poverty
along its course. Gretna, Union and
Willard felt the grasp OF the cyclone,
but the greatest disaster was wrought
in the path of the wind as it entered
Omaha at Center street. Then on into
Iowa it swept, laying its hand or
death upon every town and hamlet
within it's course.
Fires started in Omaha by the
score. and for a while it seemed as
though the residence section of the
city would be wiped out by the flames.
But a terrific downpour of rain fol-
lowed the tornado, floding buildings
apd UrecIxa pc until fire could make
no Roadway.
Hospitals Are Filled.
The property loss cannot yet be es-
timated. with any certainty, though it
win run high into the millions in
Omaha alone. Few of the homes de-
stroyed were protected by tornado in
surance and in practically every in
stance property is a total loss. Today
all Omaha is rallied to the assistance
of the victims. All hospitals of the
city are filed. Churches, fraternal or
ders and public institutions have OPP
ened their doors, the city officials are
busy with relief work and hundreds of
citizens are offering their homes and
money to aid in caring for the stricken
ones.
Governor Morehead notified Mayor
Dahlman last night that he would send
a special message to the state legisla-
ture, asking an appropriation OF sufh-
cient funds to care for the homeless
throughout the state. Public subscrip-
tions are being taken at various news
paper offices.
Governor Morehead yesterday made
a tour of inspection of the stricken
district.
"This is my conception of hell he
solemnly declared, after having COM
pleted the trip. 1T is horrible, and it
has presented a most complex situa-
ton. The loss of life and damage to
property is the greatest conceivable
hut only n
entire state of Nebraska. I will call
upon the state of Nebraska to render
every assistance, and 1 am sure the
state will respond
My horror and grief simply are be-
yond my powers of expression
The greatest loss of life occurred
sectionally, and three points in the
path of the storm offered the greatest
sacrifices. These were at Fortieth and
Farnam streets, where a crowd had
sought refuge in a garage; at Twenty
fourth and Lake streets. where a NOV
ing picture theater was demolished,
and at Twenty-fourth and Wins ave-
nue., where a poolroom had attracted
a crowd.
In each of these places the list of
fatalities was large.
Rise to the Emergency.
No such catastrophe has visited the
city before and the city was over
whelmed with it 1t quickly rose to
the situation, however. and measures
Trinity cathedral, parish of the
Omaha Episcopal church, was tenn
porarily turned into coffee house
Catholic priests visited homes which
administering the last rites of the
chit. CHI, and public bodies began the
organization of relief committees.
Last night 100000 had been sub
scribed to a relief of the destitute.
Mayor James c. Dahlman opened
negotiations with the governor for the
protection of the city and for the re-
lief of those who had been made |
homeless, with the result that not |
only the state officials became active |
in the work, but last night the mem |
bers of the legislature, in session at |
Lincoln, came to this city to obtain |
such information as might be neces- |
sary in taking up the work of state |
relief.
the storm, with accompanying wreck |
age, were known, even within the city |
itself. The pathway of the storm, !
from three to seven blocks IN width
first through an exclusive residence |
section of the city. then through a |
graduation of dwellings. until it ex-
pended it's final energy in the wreck |
ing of a pool hall and moving picture |
show.
The total number of deaths in this |
part of the city reached almost $50 |
Within the space of this storm center, |
which if made rectangular would COW |
er a quarter section of land, 1900 |
houses are wrecked, more than one |
hundred bodies have been recovered.
Five Schools Closed.
Today five public schools were out |
of commission in Omaha Seven |
churches are partly or wholly wreck
ed. One private school for girls is a |
total wreck, although the students |
escaped. The rest of the loss is to
homes.
The destruction began with the mil
1ionaire homes in the exclusive West |
Farnum and Bemis Park district
Few lives were lost in this exclusive
district, but farther northwest the