Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-13
Is PERSONS KILLED
AS OHIO AND INDIANA
ARE HIT BY STORM
Nineteen Meet Death in New
castle, -Four in Richmond
and Three in Suburb of Gin
Cinnati

N6"NAS lIluss MAI Gil L. w III
rescue work going steadily ahead, the
number of dead in yesterdays cyclone
had been reduced TO nineteen today. The
number of injured was estimated at APP
proXimately 200, while the property loss
stood at 81 100000. Fully 500 homes,
most of them frame structures, were
destroyed, while many other buildings
all in the southern part Of the city
were damaged.
Several persons at first listed as killed
were found among the injured, while
others were not even hurt. Only few
of those injured had to be cared for
in hospitals.
The city today was under police and
military control approaching martial
law. All saloons were closed while fac
tories were shut down and the work
men were put to work clearing away
debris Mechanics began repairing
damaged structures
A citizens committee, sworn in by
Mayor Watkins, patrolled the streets
and guarded the wrecked homes until
the arrival of Indiana national guards
men. who were ordered here by Govern
or Goodrich.
ROLLING MILLS LEVELED.
The tornado struck the .cIty from the
west after leveling the rolling mills OF
entire width of the city, from Sixth 90
Twenty-fifth streets. The first homes in
the path of the twister were leveled,
after which the wind apparently raised
slightly, taking the roofs from the
houses from Tenth to Twentieth streets,
where it again dipped, sweeping practi-
cally every house before 1t to Twenty
fifth street. The greatest damage was
done in the south, section, where q great
80 ~ afn fartOrN Moves TAStQa.
and several thousand were homeless
throughout the night Two hundred spe-
cial officers were sworn in by Mayor
Watkins and a strict patrol Of the
stricken districts was maintained.
The death loss was all in the south
eastern part where the wind apparently
struck low. One fire occurred, NJ. NJ.
Mintch losing his drug store and his
home.
The tornado cut a path from 800 to
500 feet in width through the city for
distance of eighteen blocks. 1t en-
tered the city limits near the southwest
boundary line and worked it's way in a
zigzag manner north for two blocks and
then east. It turned south near the
eastern limits and left the city in A
southeas terly direction.
The means of dying and the screams
OF persons less injured who were pinned
under the ruins of their homes was
heard on every side. Most Of the dead
were taken from homes that were COM
pletely demolished. Many escaped in
jury by rushing into cellars
PLAYED MANY FRANKS.
The tornado played many freak acts.
On a number of streets every house
with one exception was leveled to the
ground and in one block every second
house was wrecked and the other homes
escaped untouched. Entire roofs were
torn from houses and carried for
squares, and one house was picked up
and carried a half square and set
down again practically unframed.
The three Newcastle ambulances
were supplemented a few hours after
the catastrophe by three ambulances
from Muncie The Muncie machines
were filled with doctors and medical
supplies. Muncie also sent a large
squad of police to assist in the rescue
work
The state fire marshal wired the local
gas plant to shut off its supply as a
safeguard against fires from broken
pipes in the ruins. The order threw
most of the city into darkness as the
electric current to all OF the southern
portion Of the city was cut off.
Communication with nearly all viii
persons coming into Newcastle in auto
mobiles we're that at least several per-
sons had been killed in the vicinity. II
was reported three had been killed at
New Lisbon. three at Moreland and
three at Mount Summit.
The entire city responded to Mayor
Watkins appeal for assistance.
Hotels. lodges and private homes and
lodge rooms have been thrown open to
the homeless. No church services were
held last night and all of the churches
were opened 10 care for the unfor-
Inmates.
Freaks Of the storm and narrow es-
capes were numerous. The Indiana
Rolling Mills was demolished g w
Mouch. president Of the company. was
in the offices at the time. He. with
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Newhouse. rushed
into the large vault where the books
and records were kept They were
uninjured. Two freight cars loaded
with iron we're on a track near the
mills Both were picked up by the
wind and tossed about as if they. were
feathers. being dropped some distance
away
Mrs. A. R sligar was in bed when
the wind hit her home. The house
was torn down. but the bed was picked
up. carried to a street and dropped A
tree broke over the bed. but Mrs Sligar
was not injured seriously.
Newcastle has a population of about
$4,000 and is known as The CITY of
Roses because of its many green
houses.