New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-12
Wind Cuts Swath 2 Blocks
Wide Through Centre
of Newcastle
Rescue Parties Dig
For Bodies in Dark
Governor Sends Militia to
Aid - Hagerstown and
Richmond Also Hit

Richmond, Ind, March 1l.--From
thirty 10 seventy persons were killed
and scores more injured when tor
rsdo swept through Indiana early this
afternoon, almost wiping out the town
Of Newcastle and causing extensive
carnage in Richmond and Hagerstown.
The greatest toll Of life was in New
castle, through which the tornado cut
swath 80 feet wide, dwelling every
hing before 1t. Estimates Of the loss
Of lie there vary greatly, some report
ine only twcnty-six deaths, others as
nary as seventy. Three lives arc known
20 have been lost outside OF New
castle.
RescueIs big in Ruins
Tonight rescue parties from every
town and city within twenty mile
radius were digging il the rims OF
homes in Newcastle for missing resi-
dents. while hundreds of seriously In
iured persons we're being treated at
hospitals and private residences by
doctors and nurses rushed from nearby
points. The Mayor Of the town had
,elegraphed early in the evening: "Tke
town is gone; send all the help yoI
can Adjutant General Smith, of the
Indiana National Guard, ordered sew
eral companies of troops to the stricken
district, and Governor Goodrich ;ef:
his home for indianapolis 10 see wnat
aid he could render
Inc tornado struck with terrific force
il the western part Of Newcastle, after
passing through Hagerstown. By ne
time il had reached this town it rad
spent its force. Sweeping through The
business district Of Newcastle, it 6e-
nolished from 300 20 400 houses aad
ether buildings before it nit the resi-
Genital quarter. where the damage vas
got so extensive. Several mills and a
school building crumpled up before the
tornado. but the towns largest plant
that of the Maxwell Automobile Com
psny-escaped harm.
Newcastle has population of 5000
snG is connected with the Chicago di-
ylsiOn Of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Storm Cut Wide Swath
The storm swept over the city in a
southeasterly direction, demolishing
practically everything in a path al
most two blocks wide and more than
ten blocks long. For several hours the
'lly was entirely cut off from com
aunication. The streets are in dark
ness tonight, owing to the demolition
OF the power house.
The exact number of dead NAV not
be known for a day or two, as practi-
eally all the bodies thus far found
Rave been dug out of the wreckage of
heir homes. The search tonight was
asmpered by darkness. but with the
coming Of daylight tomorrow it is be-
heyed several more bodies will be
found
Early tonight the list Of identified
dead totals ten. and there were seven
other bodies in the morgue but it
Fas said several others had been
found in various sections of the
wrecked district and taken into near
oy residences, not damaged by the
storm.
Several fires broke out in the
sreckage on the South Side, but the
heavy rain which followed the tor
much.
Big Mills Destroyed
While many Of the beautiful homes
Of the city we're damaged, the great
est destruction was in the factory dis
iret on the South Side. where the
hgh school building. a brick struct-
Sre, and the big rolling mills were
DESTROYED.
Although the skies had been threat
ening during the early afternoon, there
vas little warning Of the approaching
tornado. A huge funnel-shaped cloud
suddenly appeared in the west, hanging
low and sweeping toward the city with
"Snlhlng-lke speed. Groups OF per
sons on the streets began seeking shell
yer, men and women running wildly
through the streets.
The tornado lasted only about five
MINUTES and was followed by a hard
ram, which also stopped in few
minutes
One man. who was driving with his
FAMILY IN an automobile from Muncie,
.NNrnEM Arrr - L. g Hrasf rr.,r .f.N Ha
reached point in the courthouse
sorare when the storm struck. Desert
hg the ear, inc man and his family
sought shelter IN an excavation for a
neg building. Crouching in mud and
1s.sr knee deep against the protecting
vel o. the basement. the man. his wife
sho Two children remained there until
ne storm had subsided.