Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1913-03-24

EAST 70 tue lifti anu tooe it0cii ia Ah'
Iowa bluffs.
Buildings were blown down. Trees
were uprooted and smaller structures
we're completely wrecked by the wind
which swept a path for itself direct
IL through the most costly residence
section as well as the most lowly
parts Of the city. Some of the nn-
est homes. those recently erected by
Omaha's wealthiest men are today a
mass Of ruins
Hundreds Of families saw their
bones swept away or damaged so
badly that they we're uninhabitable
and the occupants we're forced to
bear the torrentiaI rain that followed
he twister.
Fire Breaks Ont In Ruins.
After the tornado and rain came
an even greater menace in the fires
that broke out in a score OF places.
At least % houses were destroyed by
flames To add TO the horror OF the
night, the electricity failed. wires
went down and not only the resi-
aence, but the street lights we're ex-
tlnguished, leaving only the fitful
fare from hundreds OF lanterns to
light up the scenes OF sorrow, while
the rescue parties were AZ work.
Those sections OF the city which
have reported the heaviest loss OF life
are the districts surrounding the
county hospitals and the child insti-
tute and the territory near Twenty
fourth and Lake streets. and from
there east But from every point In
the path of the storm, reports we're
received all night of people Killed.
injured or buried In the ruins OF their
homes
Shortly before 6 o'clock last even.
ing. the storm signs was first noticed.
II appeared southwest of Omaha.
coming toward the city with the speed
Of an express train The roar OF the
whirling. twisting wind could be
heard long before the storm struck
and people in the southern portion
OF the city asserted they could hear
the angry rumble when Il struck the
village Of Ralston. The vanguard OF
the storm was huge fan-shaped
cloud that dipped earthward and
wherever il struck left a wake OF
death injuries and wrecked homes.
Almost all over the city people stooo
and watched the storm approach, even
when in its very path, some seeming
~ without the power to move, or
DOT knowing which way to 60
The streets In the storms path we're
dled with debris.
Although dazed for time by the
suddenness OF the storm and the
damage done. the people living in the
wrecked portions of the city who
were unhurt and those residing near
by FASTENED to the task OF rescuing
the injured.
With a motor wagon pressed into
service. physicians and nurses werI
hastily summoned. Hospital and
other public buildings turned into re.
lief stations for the injured and
morgues for the dead
Work Of Relief.
Every undertakers establishment in
the city and even Ia South Omaha was
taxed to the limit In caring for the
dead. AS the night wore on the de.
Vastation wrought by the storm be-
came more and more evident and tho
city commissioners. headed by Mayor
Dahlman took personal charge OF tho
relief work Headquarters were es-
tahllshed IN the telephone exchange
fwenty-third and Webster streets.
Get Sick Woman From Ruins.
One Of the shocking incidents OF the
storm was the destruction OF the home
OF @. E. Medlock whose wife was
about to give birth 20 a child. The
first blast OF the tornado brought
their frame dwelling down upon them
In a tangle of debris.
The first of the family TO struggle
out Of the ruins we're the two little
daughters, both badly cut and bruised
hut able to walk and go to the aid
Of their father who lay stunned under
large rafter Medlock bound w
the cut in his head and began search
ing through the pile Of splintered
wood for his wife.
He found her still lying IN her bed
which had dropped with the flooring
of the upper story and remained in.
tact. Mrs. Medlock was unconscious
from shock. but the rafters had form.
ed a protecting canopy over her bee
and she was unhurt.
For four hours Medlock remained
with his wife while the downpour oil
rain poured through the roofless
ruins and drenched the little famil,
huddled around the bedside Wher
the storm passed Medlock heard /;
motor vehicle coming down thu
street and tagged It. Il proved e
be an automobile hearse into which
Mrs. Medlock was bundled and takeI
10 a hospital. The expected brit
was arrested by the shock and ex
posture and the young woman Is ex
pected to die
Six relief stations have been estab
lished In the vicinity OF the ruinel
district and every drug store Is Civ
ing libreally to aid volunteer nurse
in caring for the injured persons. Al
entire regiment OF militia will be OF
the scene before night and will ali
the government troops in goin
through the ruins in the gruesom
search for bodies.
Reports from outlying towns tel
OF many lives taken by the storm
Fears are entertained that Gretns
Ashland and Louisville were in Il
path. II is said the storm originate
along the Platte river near Louis
Vile and swept up the stream {
Ashland, then cut across country {
Gretna, striking Raston before hi
ting Omaha Lines OF communicate
are rapidly being restored and th
path OF the storm can then be def
nitely determined
George l.. Hammer, one Of the be.
known merchants In the Middle Wei
and proprietor OF the Byrne-Hamme
Drygood Company here, was take
out OF the wreckage Of his home lai
last night and died in St Joseph
Hospital today. Mrs. Hammer Wa
seriously injured. while Mrs. Arthl
Lavidge and her baby son. who wei
visiting at the Hammer home, al
not expected to live.
Active work for the relief of Il
l.