Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-04-01

chicago, March 2s.-At least 2s dead,
hundreds of injured and a property loss
of several millions Of dollars were left
In the wake Of n tornado that swept
northeastern Illinois and portions of In
diana. Missouri and Wisconsin to-day.
Elgn, Joliet. the western outskirts of
Chicago and North shore and western
suburbs were in the path of the storm
which destroyed hundreds of buildings
unrooted trees and demoralized railroad
traffic and Geographic and telephone
communication before dying out on the
shore of Lake Michigan just north Of
Chicago
Tho fury of the tornado was felt chiefly
at Elgin and Melrose Park a Chicago
suburb. Nine were killed and more than
100 injured at the former city, sc miles
west of Chicago. and the property loss
there was estimated at 100000.
Chicago, March ga score of persons
were killed and hundred or more in
turcd to-day by a tornado that swept
the country and a number Of towns north
and west of Chicago, and ravaged some
Of the city's northwestern suburbs The
property damage ran into millions of
dollars, including the demolition Of many
buildings, and the razing of telegraph and
telephone lines. Communication with
rural regions was for time cut off
Six persons were killed and q score
injured when the tornado swept through
the center of Elgin. Ills. about 20 miles
west of Chicago. causing 100000 damage
to property. From Elgin the storm
passed on to the northeast. Half a dozen
business buildings. two churches and 90
residences were demolished in F,lgin
Meagre reports brought in by farmers in
dictated great damage In widespread
rural region. Failing telegraph and tele-
phone poles cut Off communication and
many trees, uprooted by the twisting
wind. so tangled the wires that restora-
ton of communication presented a diff
cult problem.
The Elgin company of the State militia
was placed on duty to guard property,
laid open to the public by the unroofing
and upsetting of stores. Melrose Park. a.
suburb of Chicago. reported six dead and
Dunning, another suburb, and Wilmette
a north shore town. each reported two
dead.
Later reports said 10 persons had been
Killed at Dunnng, a suburb. More than
100 persons were taken to the Chicago
state hospital at Dunning during the af-
ternoon and police and private ambulances
were arriving with additional victims ev-
cry few minutes About l5o residences
and buildings We're wrecked in Dunning
At Melrose Park on the western edge
of Chicago sixty houses were destroyed
the devastated area covering four blocks
The tornado followed in the wake OF
severe hail storm.
Tonight six dead had been identified
at Melrose Park and it was predicted the
fatality list would reach twelve. Scores
were injured.
Fires followed the collapse of build
ings and the fire departments of several
suburbs We're summoned.
score Of houses in Evanston. a north
ern suburb. were demolished and a NUM-
her Of persons injured. but no fatalities
were reported. Roofs were carried from
houses and trees were uprooted and car
ried half block in some Instances.
The damage in Wilmette. another North
shore suburb was estimated at 100000.
Many buildings in the business quarter
were damaged. along with the town hall
and the Episcopal Church. The storm
tore a path two hundred Yards wide
through the main part Of Wilmette.
Elgin. H.. March 2S.-At least seven
persons were killed and property dam
age estimated as high $4,000, 900 cause ed
by tornado that struck the city short
ly after noon to-day. A large part of
the business quarter and n portion of
the residential section were in ruins to-
night and it's was feared more bodies
were under the wreckage. Military law
was declared at five p. m. and the
streets cleared by troops to prevent
lootng.
Elgin was in darkness tonight
More than 100 persons were injured in
this city Light wires and trolley wires
were down. Street car service was
suspended. Trains were blocked by
uprooted trees and for time only
one telegraph and telephone wire con-
nected the city with the outside Ir
proclaiming military law Mayor Price
called out company D. 10th Illinois Ma
| tional Guard to patrol the wreck &c
area. He also asked for volunteers and
more than 100 former service men iT
uniform and scores of boy scouts re-
sponded.
i Four were killed in the collapse Of the
Congregational Church.
Services in the church had been com
pleted and most of the congregation hat
gone home few remained waiting fol
the rain TO abate. when suddenly tn,
| storm struck. The brick edifce collapsed
| burying the victims.
people. were in the Grand theatre pre-
Mr., and Mrs. Sam Beverley, stage
pairing for their afternoon show wher
the theatre fell and killed them.
| The G. w. Peck department store, 6
three-story brick structure, and severa
of the other principal business structures
were destroyed.
Fire broke out in three places follow,
| ing the tornado,
| The storm struck Elgin from the south
west during a torrential downpour of rail-
and swept northeast across tho heart o.
the city. leaving trail of destruction
| 20o yards wide.
| Communication with surrounding town
was interrupted but reports brought II
| indicated heavy damage and probable
| loss Of life In nearby rural districts.
Sherman and st. Joseph hospitals her
were filed with injured tonight. Will
scores who were bruised and cut received
treatment at doctors Offices. then wen
| to the homes of friends,
Eight square blocks OF the bushes
district and five blocks Of the residence
section were in the path OF the tornado
| which left behind trail OF wrecked an,
damaged buildings,
Stout brick business blocks were de
moished and roofs were blown off, in tn
| residence section.
Fort Wayne. Ind, March 2S.-Thre
persons were killed and many injured II
a storm which swept across Northern
Indiana tonight doing damage to proper
ty estimated at several million dollars