The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-05-31
AID RUSHED TO
TORNADO AREAS
Death Toll and Property Loss
Increases.
REQ CROSS IS IN CHARGE
Available Estimates Of Damages In
Coles County. illinois, May Reach
ss.ooo.ooo-Food Supplies and Other
Aid Given.

Soes County, IIIinoie, May Reach
$s,ooo,ooo-Food Supplies and Other
Aid Given.
Chicago. May 29-Approximately
$50 persons were killed, more than
1.20o injured, several thousand homes
wrecked, thousands OF families rend.
cred homeless, while vast quantities
OF live stock were killed and growing
crops devastated as a result OF the
tornadoes which swept over the CEN
trail west
The latest in the series of lorna
does started. apparently, in the vicin.
fly Of Willisville in southwestern iii.
nois, swept southwark across the
Ohio river into Kentucky, down the
Mississippi into Arkansas and Tenn.
essee, and finally veering eastward to-
ward Alabama. where the storm ap-
parently spent itself The dead in
four Of the southern states was esti-
mated at 100 and the injured at 800.
Wire communication into the dis.
tricts swept by the storm is demoral-
lied and only meager reports of the
loss Of life and the property damage
have been received Relief is needed,
and the Red Cross is alrady at work
caring for the homeless.
The destruction began in Andale,
Kas., where twenty-six persons we're
killed and sixty injured.
A twister. probably the most sew ,re
OF the series. struck the rich corn
belt Of central Illinois, killing fifty-
four persons and injuring perhaps 500
In Mattoon. At Charleston. ten miles
east Of Mattoon, thirty-fve we're killeI
and more than 200 injured. The prop
erty damage in the cities is estimated
at 100000.
Another destructive storm crossed
territory approximately 100 miles
north OF the center of Illinois, reached
into northern Indiana and caused the
loss OF a dozen lives. the injury of
more than 200 and a heavy property
damage at Hebron, Kouts and other
places.
American sympathy showed itself
in a substantial way for the plight CT
Charleston and Mattoon, twin VIC
Tins of the tornado. which swept CEN
trail Illinois. leaving behind It death
and ruins
Appeals For Aid.
Scores OF communities throughout
Illinois, Indiana and neighboring
states responded to the appeals Of
the stricken cities with cars of food
stuffs. blankets and cots and assur
ances were received that more was
available II necessary. In Mattoon |
the relief fund had reached $1cO.m
while at Charleston the contributions
are flowing in.
Organized relief for the destitute, |
Of whom there are about 5000 In the |
two cities. was begun under the super
vision Of J. ]. O'Connor. Of the Z IT,
cago chapter OF the American Red /
Cross, who arrived with q contingent |
Of fifteen nurses.
Cooperating was the Illinois state
board Of health. under DR.. 81. Clair
Drake. which Immediately began a
sanitary survey in each town. that
possible disease epidemics might be
prevented.
In both Mattoon and Charleston
forces Of volunteers worked through
the night. unloading cars of food pre-
paratory TO its distribution to the
needy.
Available estimates placed the dam
age In the county at between $780,
900 aad 100000. of which Sl.250. 900
was In Mattoon and about S750.000 in
Charleston. Heavy losses were sus-
tanned to growing crops and property.
In both communities plans for pub
lie funerals on Memorial day we're
abandoned when the Red Cross urged
that the dead be buried as soon as
possible. Three persons were buried
in Nation and three In Charleston.
and most Of the victims will be buried
privately today. Public Memorial day
services will be held In each town.
Reconstruction OF many of the de-
stroyed buildings has begun. especial
efforts being made to rush the con-
struction of structures to house the
homeless. II was announced In Mat
toon that the tented city OF Peterson
park would be replaced as soon as
possible with huge modern canton
ments. Plans for similar barracks are
under way In Charleston. where work
was hampered by a shortage of ium.
Der.
The raising OF funds for the rehabiIi-
tation Of Charleston is going forward
rapidly. r. X. Dunn. Judge of the
Illinois supreme court who resides
there. contributed $1,000 TO start q !
fund Of S250.000 to be used to rebuild
the destroyed section OF the town.
and citizens appealed TO Governor
Louden. State Senator Hamilton and 9
state Representatives Howard. Drake Y
and Green for q legislative appropria- r
lion for 100000 to complete the work '