The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-12
DANCER IN FLOOD
High Water Follows in Path of
Missouri Tornado.
Fourteen Known Dead-PrOp-
erty Loss Unestimated.
WHITE RIVER is BANK FULL
Fear for Electric Plant Supply.
ing Many Towns.
Whole Family Disappears When
House Blows Away.

Branson, Mo-, March I2-High
water loomed today as further men
ace to life and property in Taney
county, heart of the shepherd of the
Hills country, where a tornado late
yesterday took at least eleven lives.
brought injury to numerous persons
and caused property damage, the ex-
tent of which cannot be estimated
until complete reports are received
from the localities visited by the
storm. Incessant rains which preceded
and followed the tornado, have sent
every stream in the OZarks bank full,
and if the precipitation should con-
tinue, it was declared today, the dam
ger from floods will become serious.
Especial anxiety was felt today by
residents of Powersite, on the White
river, where is located a large hydro
electrical plant which furnishes cur
rent for many south Missouri towns.
including Joplin and Springfield The
stream at that point contains a dam
80 feet high and 500 feet long. The
river which is one of the largest in
south Missouri, is reported bank full
and rising rapidly. However. reports
today were that the dam was holding
back the flood waters.
No reports of further fatalities had
been received here early today. The
storm seems to have been the one
which struck at Nevada, Mo-, early
yesterday afternoon, where three per-
sons were killed and property damage
of 100000 caused.
Then lifting, it bounded toward the
Ozark region, striking Taney county
and Turkey creek valley with full
force. At Melva. five miles south of
here, the known death list was
heaviest.
Springfield. Mo. March 12-Torna-
tnnlx
a toll of at least fourteen lives in
southwest Missouri. Many persons
were injured. A few are missing.
The death dealing winds struck
four different places with this result:
At Melva. Taney county, ten dead,
several injured.
At Nevada, Vernon county. three
dead.
AT Branson. Taney county, one dead.
At Oasis, Taney county. two miss
ing.
Rain in Torrents.
storm at Melva. The storm area
seemed to center there and extend for
a radius of fifteen miles on all sides.
Water and wind swept ten persons
to their death there. Seven or the
victims were school children in the
families of william and Rand Box
brothers Dismissed from school they
were playing ON the banks of Turkey
creek when engulfed suddenly in the
rush of storm waters.
Ridgeway Mankey was hurled
about i 600 feet thru the air. When
he opened his eyes he saw his brother
William struggling in the flood waters
but was too weak to save MIN.
Many Dead at Melva.
Other dead at Melva. which was al
most wiped out were: Mrs AlVa
Howard and small child. Nearby or
A farm at Branson, William jackson
lost his life.
John Gross and his wife were blown
away with their home north of Bran
son. and no trace has been found OF
man, woman or house.
both mothers of the Box children
suffer ID serious injuries and may Gle
| Those who were killed in the
| Nevada tornado are: Rex Piersall
| Harry Brewer and William Rothwell
{ Property damage there was heavy.
/ Much property also was damagei il
! these fancy county towns of:
| Forsythe, Taneyyille, Kirbyville, and
Mildred-an tourist camping grounds
/ in the White river country. made
famous by Harold Bell Wright's story
Shepherd of the Hills
| Rising waters in Lake TaneycomC
threaten the power dam at Powersite
which develops electric current fol
southwest Missouri.
/ A special train took the Melva deat
and seriously injured to Brarson.
! st. Louis. March 12.-All Red Cros
resources in the southwestern Missouri
| tornado district were today offered tt
municipal officials, according to in
structions sent local chapters b,
Alfred Fa1rbank. manager of th'
southwestern division. here today.
Edward B. Orr. director of sastel
relief. left here this morning for th'
wrecked area. Funds are needed 70
the relief work. it was declared.