The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-15
Three Towns Suffer When
Struck by Tornado.
OMAHA FRIGHTENED AGAIN
Property Damage Is Estimated
at Quarter of a Million.
Wires Are Down and COmmuni-
cation Almost Cut Off.

Omaha, Neb., May 15.-Reports re-
ceived here today show that the de-
structive tornado which formed in the
southern part Of Seward county last
night took a toll of 10 lives, injured
forty persons and destroyed property
valued at $25O,000.
At least three towns, Seward. Ta-
mora and McCool Junction, suffered
from the elements, the greatest de-
struction being at Seward, where IL
persons were killed and 80 injured.
Tamora is reported to have been de-
stroyed with the loss of four lives and
McCool Junction to have suffered
much damage to property and two
deaths.
Seward Damage Greatest.
At Seward, a much greater disaster
was averted by the fact that the lorna
do crossed only a comparatively small
part of the town instead of sweeping
across the more densely populated
portion two blocks south. The prop
erty loss in that city is estimated at
100000.
The tornado apparently originated
southwest of McCool Junction and
gathering force as it moved to the
northeast, struck with full force both
at Tomaro and Seward. All telegraph
and telephone lines were demolished
in the path of the storm.
Until the wires are repaired the full
extent of the damage and the number
of casualties will not be definitely
known. The storm crossed this city
near the southern limits but its
strength had been so far spent that
the damage was nominal. This fact,
however, did not prevent Omahans
generally from seeking refuge in eel
lars and other places considered tor
nado proof. The experience of Easter
Sunday taught them to consider seri-
ously the approach of ominous looking
clouds and the appearance in the
southwest of last evenings storm was
sufficient to set everybody to seeking
an avenue of escape.
Deaths at Seward.
Seward, Neb., May 15.-Eight per-
sons were killed and IA injured in a
tornado that swept a district one
block wide and 16 long in the north
part of Seward last night shortly be-
fore 6 o'clock. All of the injured are
expected to recover. The windstorm
came up in the guise of a violent hail
and rain storm
The Dead.
MRS. WILLIAM HASSINGER.
MRS. w. G. EDMUNDS.
MRS. DAVID HOOVER.
SAMUEL GRIM.
AUGUST SCHULTZ.
EMMA SCHULTZ. little daughter of
August
MRS. DAVID INLAY.
MRS. G. w. WASSERMAN.
Schultz and a four-year-old child lost
their lives, a baby boy of two months
was blown out of the mothers arms
and dropped down within a yard of
where his father and sister had been
killed by flying debris Mrs Schultz
md another child were pinioned under
he wreckage of the kitchen but were
rescued by volunteer firemen who
formed a relief party soon after the
storm passed.
Last week Mrs w. G. Edmundss
husband died following a sudden Ill
hess. His widow mourned deeply for
him and expressed a wish to join him
soon. Yesterdays storm claimed her
~ flying timber and was crushed
nto almost an unrecognizable mass.
The Injured.
Mrs. Ernest Holland, arm broken
md minor body bruises.
William Hassinger body bruises. Sc
yere nervous shock.
John Ffke, arm and ribs broken.
Mrs. John F'ike, ribs broken and in
ernaI injuries.
Mrs. S. G. Longworthy, slight in
uries to head
Victor Wasserman, arm broken.
seriously injured in head.
Mrs. August Schultz. burned on body,
Internal injuries.
Eleanor, little daughter of August
badly burned on legs and back.
Little August Schultz. Jr., an arm
roken, severe hip wound.
Fred Steinbeck, eye put out scalp
wound, body injured.
Mrs. Fred Steinbeck, internal in
uries.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Feigard. both
ruised by flying timbers.
Miss INLAY, niece of Mrs. David I'm
ay, slight internal injuries, body
ruised.