The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-06-26

Wtut SecllOn.
First story Sent Out.
This is the first story that was
sent out about the storm at Water.
town, s. D.:
WATERFOWL, s. d., June ga score
of persons were injured. two probably
fatally, and about fifty homes were
wrecked, either totally or partially,
by tornado which struck Water
town.
The storm left a, trail of wreckage
through a thickly populated residen-
tial section of the city, many houses
being wholly wrecked, while others
we're unroofed and moved from foun.
dations.
The storm swept upon the city al
most without warning. A terrific gust
OF wind from the north was followed
almost instantly by driving rain.
Reports were current throughout
the city that nine were dead and for
ty injured, but a canvass OF the sit
nation by the police and volunteer
force of citizens caused this to be
denied. .H.,..
The path Of the tornado was about
four blocks wide and eighteen blocks
long, mainly through the residence
portion.
Many beautiful homes were twisted
about on their foundations and col
lapsed.
Trees uprooted and Broken.
Roofs were carried of by the first
gust and were swept into the street.
Many trees were uprooted and broken.
All communication, either telegraph
or telephone, was cut on Immediately.
Traffic was halted within the city In
an instant. ..r.. d.
Every physician in WATERFOWL re-
sponded to calls after the force of the
storm had blown over, giving aid to
the injured. Neighboring cities were
appealed to for aid. .as
Reports from the vicinity of Water
/ town say great property loss was
caused n the rural districts and II il
believed thore has been loss of life.
Crops in some localities were leveled
and ruined.
The storm seemed to have moved in
a circle and widened as Il passed east
ward. spending its fury here. II Is
said to have started In Southwestern
North Dakota, passed through South
eastern Minnesota and into Western
Wisconsin.
Heavy property damage was report
ed in that portion of Minnesota swept
by the tornado, but no reports of loss
of life had reached here. ..
The storm seemed to have subsidized
by the time it reached Wisconsin and
damage in that state Is said to have
been light.
Barn and Windmill Wrecked.
In Indian Lake there was much
damage done. Mrs. Agnes Watts
fine new barn and windmill are
total wrecks. s. r. Keenan, suffered
considerable damage to his buggy
and machine sheds and corn cribs.
F. s. Edney's windmill was over.
turned as was also A. Hennecker's.
Anton Oberle's silo was reported
to be blown down.
The electric light poles in that
direction are all aslant and several
telephone poles were broke noff.
Shade trees on all the farms in the
vicinity are broken. Many young
fowls and some young stock was
drowned. s#.- E-.,. .
Horses Were Killed.
The wind did considerable dam
age in the. vicinity of Minnesota
Lake. Eight miles east OF the vii
lage the storm struck two barns.
One of these on the farm of Julius
voecks, was totally wrecked and
one horse killed. The barn on the
farm of William voecks was twisted
out of shape and two horses killed.
During the blow at lie Sueur last
night small piece of the tin roof
ing was removed from one of the
hotels, but the building was not dam
aged otherwise.
There was no storm I'm the vicin-
ity of lie Sueur Center. a.
Dam Is Safe. -. ~
Unfounded reports have been cir
culated that the Rapidan dam Is
unsafe. Yesterday It was reported
that residents OF North Mankato were
notified to be ready to fly to the
hills at any moment. There is no
danger of the dam giving away.
There is no more water In the lake
than at any time. and there is no
reason why foolish and unyarrant-
ed reports should be circulated. They
unnecessarily alarm people.
In indian Lake District.
The storm tore things up some
what at Indian Lake John HOLMAN
reported that on his farm small
building was blown down and a. silo
and barn were moved from their
foundations. Joe Ullman's silo was
also moved from It's Foundation. The
windmill on the Edney farm was
wrecked. Tony 0berle's silo was de-
molished. On Bert Sontag's farm two
siloss were badly twisted. William
Duffy's silo was moved from its
foundation.
W. N. Ballard, who lives on the
Mapleton road says he saw seven or
IL II. Il. n