Evening star., 1925-03-19

Several towns in the path OF the
twister, which apparently came out
of the Ozark Hills, due to low
harometric pressure in Arkansas, and
first struck at Annapolis, Mo-, Vir-
tualIy were destroyed, while fire In
many places added horror to havoc.
Bodies Carried Mile.
So terrific was the force of the
storm that bodies were reported car
ried a mile. while timbers from the
wrecked town of De Soto. Ill, were
found in Dequoin, Is miles away
The greatest loss of life, according
10 available reports, occurred IN
southern Illinois, where moreseqthan n
500 were reported killed as the tor
nado tore northeastward through
Murphysboro, West Frankfort, DE
Soto and other larger towns OIL the
area.
At De Soto a schoolhouse was
razed only three of the ESQ inhabi-
tants reported escaping without IN
juries.
The main path of the tornado was
less than 200 miles in length put
divisions of the twister hoppeo OIL III
several directions.
Starting from Annapolis, the storm
moved northeast and after striking
two other towns on the missouri slue
of the Mississippi River, jumped into
Illinois. traversed that State, divided
near the Indiana State line and spent
its force in southern Indiana ana
northern Kentucky.
Hit Kentucky and Tennessee.
Another line apparently moved south
eastward from Annapolis. through
Cape Girardeau, Mo-, and struck $50
lated portions of northern central
Tennessee and Kentucky. wind
leo
mouth, Ohio, but without serious
damage.
Within it's various offshoots, the
tornado apparently traversed nearly
700 miles of territory, although only
In the direct path from Annapolis, MO,
10 Princeton, Ind, about loo miles
was the damage and loss OF hre
heavy. The path of the storm ap-
parently was not wide, IN places II
being reported 300 feet
While details of the desolation left
hv the storm came in on crippled
lines of communication, relief was be-
ing rushed into the stricken area
from many nearby towns
Relief workmen, doctors. nurses,
medicine and supplies were dispatch
ed Immediately from st. Louis, Chi
cago and other points.
Troops were rushed into the district
IN Illinois on orders of Gov. Len
Small, who also issued an appeal for
aid.
In several towns in the path of the
storm, especially in Indiana, local
companies of militia were mobilized
for guard duty and relief.
Will Ask 100000.
1t was announced that a bill au-
thorizing 100000 for relief would be
introduced in the Illinois Legislature
today. -
Loss of life was reported from 26
towns. most of them in southern llli-
nois. but 1t was believed that death
and destruction visited many others
in the storm area from which reports
were still to be received
Volunteer workers. under the handi-
cap of darkness, because of the pros
tration of lighting facilities in many
places. worked through the night. re-
covering the dead, aiding the injured
and keeping guard over property.
Schoolhouses, churches, armories
and all other available places were
pressed into use as morgues ana nos
pftals In many instances 1t was nee
essary to move the dead and injured
TO nearby towns. because of the lack
of available places of shelter.
Bonfres were built to provide light
for the workers, while even automo-
bile headlights were used.
According to available reports the
storm struck virtually without warn
ing and inhabitants of the territory
traversed had no time to fee from
I it's fury.
Stories of the storms erratic be-
havior come from many points. With
an irresistible energy that crushed
entire blocks of buildings, destroyed
mine tipples, uprooted trees and
snapped telephone poles like matches,
the twister whirled through the air,
dipping to earth time and again.
Grain Elevator Shifted.
Buildings were carried hundreds of
feet, while at De Soto a grain eleva
tor was moved intact to the middle
of road 40 feet away.
In only one instance was damage to
train reported and it was not clear
whether this resulted from the storm.
,St. Louis and San Francisco passen
ger train No. 105, southbound, went
into a ditch near South Greenfield
Mo, and two coaches overturned, but
no ono was reported injured. =
AT Annapolis. Mo. where the first