davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
STORMS APPROACH SOUNDS like SALV0
FROM BATTERY OF BIG SIEGE GUNS;
PEOPLE HUNT SAFETY IN CELLARS

NEW CASTLE, Ind, March 12-The
cyclone approached New Castle from
the west. AS the funnelshaped
cloud swept upon the doomed city the
inhabitants were warned of its ap-
proach by a terrifying uproar. Many
persons hurried to their Easements.
The homes of others tumbled over
their heads before they could find a
place of safety.
The storm took a southeasterly d.
rection through New Castle and 1t
was the south part of the city that
bore the entire brunt of the storm
With a roar like the salvo of bat
terry Of siege guns the hurricane
struck the plant of the Indiana Rolling
Mill company on the extreme south
west edge of the city, bowling it over
like child's playhouse. At the same
time the greenhouses OF the P. j..
Lynch Floral company were complete
~ demolished. The cyclone proceeded
along Indiana avenue, one OF the
city's fashionab streets, scattering
destruction in its wake. 1t then pro-
ceeded southeast to Maplewood ave-
nue., then east on Lincoln street to
Main street. It's direction was then
southeast on Bundy ave-, then hurd.
ling back 10 Main street, spreading
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
DIG SMALL GIRLS
FROM DEBRIS HEAP
LONG AFTER STORM

NEW CASTLE. Ind, March 12-
Bernice, age 9, and June, age II, the
two daughters of Peter Day, 1902 So.
Twenty-second street, met death
when their home collapsed before the
fury of the hurricane The father,
mother, sister, age 16, and brother Ray
age II, are at present in local hos
pital and their chances for recovery
are regarded small
Perhaps the Day family was one of
the most unfortunate of those in
volved in the cyclone 1t looks as
though the family had been extermi-
mated. For hours after the cyclone
had laid their home low the two
younger sisters could not be found.
Finally, however, the body of the
youngest sister was dug from the ru-
ms. 1t was so mutilated that recog-
milton was impossible and it was not
until the father recognized a ring on
the left hand that the body could be
identified. It was some time later
before the other dead sister was found.
The third sister was found dead later.
Carl Harrison, Newport, KY, mail
clerk. was visiting here with J. w.
Lewis. when the cyclone descended.
The house was demolished, Mr.. Har-
rison receiving crushed shoulder.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
HOT TEA BREAKS
COLD-TRY THIS

Get small package of Hamburg
Breast Tea, or as the German folks
call it, Hamburger Brust Thee" at
any pharmacy. Take tablespoonful
of the tea, put cup of boiling water
upon it, pour through a sieve and
drink a teacup full at any time. 1t is
the most effective way to break a
cold and cure grip, as it opens the
pores, relieving congestion. Also
loosens the bowels, thus breaking
cold at once.
1t is inexpensive and entirely vege
table, therefore harmless.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
CUSTOMER CAUGHT
WHEN STORM HITS
The MINCH STORE

NEW CASTLE, Ind, March 12.-
Mrs. Clyde Nicholson, South Eighth
street, was at the home of Mrs. Nord.
quest, the rest Of the family being up
town. Mrs. Nicholson is at present
at the home of her mother, Mrs. Tay-
lor, in the Jennings building, and is
reported to be seriously injured. Mrs.
Nordquest was also injured but not
seriously.
The Minch drug store was COM
pletely torn to pieces. At the time,
there were but two persons in the
store, Mr.. Minch and a customer.
Upon hearing the approach Of the hur-
ricane. both left the building They
had just reached the street when the
wind struck the building and caused it
to collapse. The entire building and
stock were destroyed.
The Minch home. one of the finest
on South Eighteenth street, was also
destroyed, the rear part of the house
being torn completely off. The ruins
of both house and store took fire and
it was some time before the fire de-
partments were able to extinguish it..
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
Richmond Folks
See Furniture
Tossed in Air

Here's the story of H. A. Mills, 3o5
North Eighth street, who. with his
wife and little son, saw the tornado
tear its way through New Castle Sun
day afternoon at SIS o'clock.
Mills with Mr.. and Mrs. George I'm.
thank, 800 North Eighth street, were
in the Pennsylvania station waiting
for train No. ZIG.
First we heard an awful roar. We
rushed to the door and saw a perpen-
dicular cloud. gray in color, moving
from the west to the east over the
city
"The air was filled with debris,
doors were flying into the skies,
boards, furniture, clothes, household
utensils were to be seen everywhere.
I'VE saw lumber flying 500 feet in
the air. ...
Three houses burst into flames
about six blocks south of the station.
"Circle street, A and B avenues
were a mass of wreckage.
81 do not know how many persons
were killed. but few could escape
with their lives in the district where
the tornado struck its heaviest blows.
1--WE boarded our train at 1928
o'clock and ran out of the storm. One
mile south of Hagerstown. we saw
where the storm had swept through
Wayne county. l did not see what
damage was done in this section OF
the county,
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
human Love and Sacrifice Mark Ne,v Castle
Human Interest Items from the Debris
of Tornado-Ridden City of New Castle

When residents of New Castle
heard noise like the rapid approach
Of a vast fleet of aeroplanes with their
exhausts roaring, they were warned
of the approach Of the tornado and
many saved their lives by taking ref
uge in their easements.
Paul Brown and George Barnard,
both well known in Richmond, live on
a high bluff overlooking New Castle.
Their houses stand side by side.
When the storm approached lie fam
lilies of both were at home The men
were absent The women and their
children took refuge in their base
ments. Browns palatial residence
was swept off the bluff and into the
valley below. Barnard's home was
badly damaged but remained practi-
cally intact.
Charles w Mouch, son Edward, and
several employees of the Indiana roll
ing mills. the first point struck by the
storm, fled to the basement and
locked themselves in q vault under
meath. Had they not reached the eel
lar when they did they would all have
been killed as the mill was completely
destroyed.
Bernice, the little daughter Of Cal
Lamb, was the only member of the
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12

ruination to Fourteenth street. 1t
then went to A ave-, completely de-
stroying the Bently greenhouses as
it proceeded East on A avenue, the
cyclone travelled to Seventeenth
street, thence southeast to A avenue.
In this neighborhood the M. M.
Mintch drug store caught fire after
the building had been blown over and
very serious conflagration was
threatened for a time. The drug
stores ruins were completely burned.
From ID avenue the storm travelled
east to Grand ave, bowling over, en-
route, the large south end school
house. 1t proceeded in a southeast
ward direction along Grand ave. to
the corporation limits
Practically all the persons killed
were residents of Grand ave. Near
ly every house on Lincoln ave. was
blown down.
4, The handsome residence of former
mayor George Barnard, situated on
the highest point in the city, was al
most demolished.
Tonight New Castle is without
street lights and the work of search
ing the ruins for the dead and injured
proceeds under the glare of lanterns.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12

family who was injured when they
found refuge in the basement. The
child was struck by falling board as
she was being taken to the basement.
The house was wrecked
One of the most spectacular fea-
lures of the whole tragedy was the
touching exhibition Ct filial love
shown by Joseph Getz, who rescued
his invalid mother from their homo
on South Seventeenth street, when
the house was being twisted and
splintered by the storm
Working men who had recently
erected coy little homes along
Grand avenue, suffered heavily. This
was swept on both sides, the storm
sweeping up the center of the street
and wrecking houses on either side.
1t was in this section that the death
toll was the heaviest
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
Hear Furniture
Tossed About
As Wind Tears
House Off Base

Charles Duke, three miles east of
New Castle on the Richmond pike who
, escaped the ravages OF the hurricane
tells the following story:
1--WE saw it coming. 1t resembled a
large funnel The roar was like that
of freight train. 1t did not move
fast. Ben Beall, the man for whom
work, and l we're the only persons at
home. We rushed to the cellar. Then
came the crash.
Death seemed inevitable. The
house was twisted from its founda-
ton. We heard the furniture and
stoves being tossed about above. Then
came the horrifying crash which took
the roof and top floor off. To make
sure it was past, we waited several
minutes, then forced our way out.
'"The once beautiful farm home was
a total wreck. The dreadful cloud
which swept path two hundred yards
wide had passed. The fence had
been twisted up and tossed in big
heap Gigantic trees many years old,
were lifted from the ground and car
ried several yards"
Wind Digs Large Hole.
The wind had dug a large hole in
the road in front of the dwelling.
Hedge fence was torn roots and all
from the ground.
After passing the Beall home, the
10 do me
neared Hagerstown. 1t came toward
the farm from the southwest and aft
er passing swung around to the south
east.
On the way from New Castle to the
Beall' farm the tornado did much dam
age and killed dozens of head of val
liable live stock.
A half mile west of the Beall home, it
struck two large barns on the farm OF
|. n Millikan, leveling them and kill
ing instantly little Ernest Waterman,
6, who was helping his father do the
evening work. The father, Asa Wat
terman, is a farm hand. His chest was
crushed by falling timbers, but it is
thought he will recover.
Valuable Horses Slaughtered.
Many valuable horses and cattle
were imprisoned under fallen timbers
and their pitiful means caused farm
ers to work untiringly all night to re-
lieve suffering Several animals that
were not already dead, had to be
killed
1t took fifteen minutes for the tor
nado to travel three miles. Clocks
stopped by the storm in New Castle
showed that it arrived there at 3:05
o'clock. Two clocks stopped at the
Beall home, three miles east, at'3:20.
Twenty workmen working at the
Indiana Rolling Mills when the storm
struck, crawled into a large vault
when they heard the roof of the build
ing fall The building was complete
ly demolished, but not man was in
jured. After the storm passed they
dug themselves out of the debris.
Persons on the second floor of the
Colonial flat building saw the cloud
descending and ran into the basement
or into the street in time to escape
injury Residents who ran into the
streets held onto trees, hitch posts
and all other solid objects.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
Two Bodies Put
Under the Floor

NEW CASTLE, Ind, March 12-
The bodies of Mrs. Acie Williamson
and her daughter, Opal, who at the
time of the tornado were at their
home on South Twentieth street, were
found after much search under the
floor of their home. At this place
the Williamson home and house stand
ing south of it were damned together
in one compact pile.
How both the mother and daugll-
ter's bodies came to be under the floor
is among the many mysteries of the
horrible tragedy. A roomer. J. w
Lewis, who was with the two women
when the cyclone struck the house,
through some means or other came
out alive. His ear was almost torn
from his head but he staid al the
scene OF the disaster until the bodie:
of the women were located
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
Mother in Sons Arms When Bodies
Are Dragged from Splintered Home

NEW CASTLE, Ind, March r.
One of the.most pitiful incidents Of
the entire horrible episode was brought
to light when the bodies Of Gray
Davis and his mother, Mrs. John
Davis, were dug from q pile of splin-
tiers which formerly had been four
houses standing on the corner of
Twenty-second street and Grand
avenue. The arms of the mother
were around her sons neck and her
face was against his, holding him
tightly to her. From all evidences
the mother had thrown her arms
around her sons neck when the hur-
ricane swept down upon them and all
the fury of the assault which tore the
house in shreds, could not tear them
apart
Mr.. Davis had been sick with pneu-
monia for the last week and his
mother, Mrs. John f. Davis, of Moore
land, had come to this city to take
care OF him. They We're found only
after large tree had been removed
by the searching parties. The mat
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
PASTORS DAUGHTER
SAFE AT new CASTLE

Houston Marlatt, Paul Jones and
Harvey Pride. who composed a party
that went to New Castle to ascertain
the fate of Mr. and Mrs. Gustaye Kau.
per. were unable to find them when
they reached New Castle.
Kauper represents the Starr Piano
company in New Castle. His wife is
the daughter of the Rev. A. J. Feeger,
for many years pastor Of ST. Johns
Lutheran church, this city.
Harley Smith at New Castle late
Sunday night was able to get a wire
to L. M. Feeger, brother of Mrs.
Kauper, in which he said, Sister and
party safe" Feeger does not know
Smith.
Word of the safety of Mrs. Kauper
was telephoned to the Rev. Mr.. Fee
ger who in the meantime had been
trying to get information out of New
Castle regarding the fate of his daugh-
ter.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
Clings to Tree
and Saves Wife

NEW CASTLE, Ind, March 12-Su.
perintendent E. w. Lawrence, of the
city schools, his wife, and his daugh-
ter Dorothy, were on South Twelfth
street, not far from their home when
the cyclone descended. Mr.. Lawrence
saved himself and wife by grabbing
her in his arms and grasping a nearby
tree. He was unable to get hold of
his daughter and the hurricane picked
her up from the ground throwing her
into the gutter and breaking her col
lar bone
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12

Several women of Richmond were
able to get by the militia and enter
New Castle last night. Upon their
return they described in vivid Ian
ouaee the havoc of the pillar Of air
that had smashed its way through
The city.
~ talked with a Mrs. BradWay,"
said one Of the women. "l1er home,
on Fourteenth street, escaped the
wrath OF the storm, although the
houses on either side were caved in
by the wind.
"Mrs. Broadway was in the bath
room when she heard the roar Of the
approaching storm. She and her fam.
lily made a dash for the cellar.
"Eefore they reacher the basement,
the storm had swept through the
city. Upon their return they found
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
PENNSy SENDS
line Crews
TO open Way

The Pennsylvania railroad quickly
gathered crews and prepared second
special train to rush to New Castle.
The first special train was sent out
shortly after the first news reached
Richmond. This train carried linemen
telegraph operators and repair men
who opened way to the Henry county
city.
With the telegraph line restored. the
Pennsylvania was the first to obtain
an estimate OF the number of dead and
Injured. Cooperating with the Pal
'i'rn, the railroad officials gave out
nation they had received.
company did not send the sec
special It's representatives at
.,aW Castle informed the superinten-
dents office here that relief work was
well in hand.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
MOBILIZE WORKERS
TO PUT OUT FIRES

Houston Marlatt and his party after
being turned back by blockaded roads
near Dunreith were able to reach New
Castle over another route Sunday
night.
"a thousand men modified in the
plant of the Maxwell-Briscoe company
were used as guards until the militia
arrived said Marlatt. Many of these
men were used to put out fires that
the houses that had been wrecked by
the storm"
Guards prevented the party from
reaching the scene of the worst havoc
wrought by the storm.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
GET INFORMATION
THROUGH PALLADIUM

The Palladium and the New Castle
Courier have established an informa-
ton bureau. Friends here who wish
information about friends and rela-
tives in New Castle may call the Pal
ladium. Word will be sent to the
Courier which will try to find them.
Residents of New Castle who wish to
get word to Richmond relatives will
have an opportunity to do so through
the Courier. Telegraph and telephone
wires will be taxed to their limit to-
morrow. If you cannot reach your rel
atives, call the Palladium which will
try to find them for you.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
EIGHTEEN
CONTINUED from page one1

funneLshaped whirIine wind struck
the city from, the west, first demoIish.
ing the rolling mills.
The tornado then crossed the Blue
river valley and bIazed its path of
destruction and ruin along Sixth
street and through MapIewocd-one of
the city's finest residence sections
up A avenue and east along Grand
avenue to Twenty-fifth street. The
storm passed over the business sec.
ton.
Unconfirmed reports say that Mill
Vile, east Of Newcastle, was prac.
ticaiiy wiped out and that several
were killed.
ALL COMMUNICATION CUT.
When the extent Of the storm first
became apparent all wire communica-
ton was cut. The only line out of the
city was to Muncie and this wire was
working SO intermitentIy that no in
formation could be given out over it.
Later it was possible to connect with
the Pennsylvania operators in Rich.
mond.
1t was some time before the teIe.
phone Iinemen were able to establish
communication with Richmond.
As soon as lines were obtained to
the Richmond offices Of the Pennsyl.
vania, negotiations were opened with
Superintendent Stimson for a special
relief train to bring medical assist
ance.
At 9 o'clock the Richmond offices
were still awaiting further informa-
ton as to the extent Of the need before
dispatching the train.
When the tornado struck the city,
the entire population was apprised. Of
the fact by the roar Of the wind and
the deafening noise Of the tearing and
splinterins timbers az the houses
were twisted from their foundations
and carried sometimes as far as a
block before they were hurled to the
ground in mass Of spIinters.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12

tress on which the sick man had been
lying, was turned over and they were
found under it.
Mrs. Gray Davis, wife of the dead
man, disappeared directly after the
cyclone, and nothing had been heard
of her late last night. Orville Davis,
son of the dead man, was also killed
during the catastrophe and was car
ried from the pile of ruins shortly be-
fore the remains of his father and
grandmother We're uncovered. A small
daughter was also seriously injured,
and her life is in doubt.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
HOUSES RAzED
BY TORNADO
At ROSE CITY
25TH STREET

Walter Murray-House, barn, gar
age. Damage 5000.
Thomas Thoman-House Damage
$3.50.
Frank Fletcher-House and barn;
damage $4,000
Fred Griffin-House: damage $3.50
A. j. Nail-House and sheds de
stroyed; damage $120G
Everett Newly House and sheds
totally destroyed; damage $2,7O0.
Perry Dudley-House, garage and
Maxwell automobile destroyed; dam
age $4,000.
Elva Burton-House and sheds, TO-
tai loss; damage $4,000.
Antonio Stepnek-House damaged;
damage $1,000.
Frank Lowry-House and sheds, to-
tai loss; damage $500.
Albert Walan- House damaged;
damage 5000.
Stephen Adams-House totally de.
stroyed; damage $4,000
GRAND AVE.-EAST 21st ST.
William Bell--House and large barn,
one horse-damage $6,500
John Evans-House damaged; dam
age $1,000.
H. E. Brown House and killed
horse; damage $1,000.
Mrs. Alice UT House damaged !;
damage $500
Henry Jeffrey-House and sheds de-
stroyed; damage $4,000.
18TH STREET
J. I. Lyle-House leveled damage
$4,000.
William Feathergill- House and
sheds destroyed; damage $2,100
VIM. Minch-House and drug store
damage $4,000.
Jesse Western House damaged,
practically destroyed; damage $4,000.
Jack Rice-House and sheds; dam
age $1,700.
Fred Phelps-House and out build.
ings destroyed; damage $3.50.
Charles Staub-House partially de-
stroyed damage $3.50.
Arthur Chappell--Pouse and barn
damaged; damage $1750.
18TH STREET
George Deeter-House and out build
ings; damage $500.
Joseph Clubhouse and sheds de-
stroyed; damage S2.700.
H. f. Griffin - House destroyed;
damage $1,000.
Frank Young House damaged;
damage 5000.
Frank Waller-House badly dam
aged damage $500.
Harry Murphy House damaged;
damage $3.50.
Charles Dunlap-House damaged;
damage $3.50.
Luther Williams-House destroyed;
damage $4,000.
22Np STREET
Gray Davis-Double house destroy
ed. Damage $4,000.
A. E. Hammerman-House wiped off
foundation. Damage $4,000.
21sT STREET
John Dunlap House destroyed.
Damage $4,000.
Luther Van Hoos - Bungalow
destroyed. Damage $500.
Frank Hayes-House destroyed
with outbuildings. Damage $4,000.
S. E. Gray-House destroyed. Dam
age $500.
Sam Smith--House destroyed. Dam
age s1,700.
A. J. Rogers-House destroyed
Damage $500
Empty house destroyed-1019 21st
street. Damage $4,000
House - 1851 Twenty-first street
Damage $3.50.
D AVENUE
South Building School. Damage
GOTH STREET
Widow notwithstanding House.
S2,700.
House belonging to D avenue gro
Gerry proprietor. Damage $4,000.
Alvan Hultz-House demolished.
Damage s2.1Oo.
Asa williamson - Boarding house.
$4,000.
10TH STREET
Roy Newman-House swept from
foundation. Damage $1,000.
George Flynn-House and sheds
damaged. Damage $500
Ross Calland--House totally de-
Stroyed Damage $4,000.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
LOCAL PHYSICIANS
VOLUNTEER SERVICE

Scores Of Richmond physicians
called the Palladium over the tele-
phone last night, offering to go to
Rev Castle and help care for the in
sNrcd
Inquiry by the Palladium elected
The information that Indianapolis and
Muncie had hurried to the stricken
city and that a call would be sent to
The Richmond physicians if additional
help were needed.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
RED CROSS OFFERS
new CASTLE HELP

Richmond's newly-organized Red
Cross chapter may have its first op-
portunity for real service as result
OF the New Castle tornado.
President Comstock said early this
morning the Richmond chapter would
respond to any call for help from New
Castle and would offer its services
early to today.
He said he did not know what form
of assistance the Richmond Red Cross
ers could render.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
Woman in Bathtub When Tornado
Comes, Flees to the Basement

that the chimney had been torn off
the house and that the garage had
been moved two feet.
The storm played some funny an
tics. Some houses looked as if a giant
had bitten mouthful out of the roof.
Others were smashed in as if a giant
had planted two feet in them, crushing
them az If they were made of paper.
"A few houses directly in the path
Of the storm escaped. Not window
was broken"
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-12
Storm Exposes
Tender Flowers

NEW CASTLE, Ind, Mar. 12.-Three
CT the local greenhouses met with dis
aGter when the cyclone swept the
town. They were the Lynch Green
House in the west part of the city and
the Bentley and Heller green houses
il the south.
The greenhouses were badly dam.
aged. II is feared that the exposure to
the cold air during the night would
kill all Of the piarta. in which case
Tie loSs would be nuch larger.