The Bismarck tribune., 1925-03-20
More Than 1000 Injured in
Tornado That Hit
Central West
THOUSANDS HOMELESS
Property Damage in Illinois
Estimated at $7,OOO,OOO
BY Rescue Workers

sociated Press casualty list totalled
577 identified dead.
Kentucky and Tennessee stricken
areas virtually cleaned up. Burial
being made in both states.
A few hamlets in Missouri yet un-
reported. Casualty list l5 dead.
Dead at Murphysboro, H., climb
| Ing to previous estimates. One hun
dred seventy-five known.
West Frankfort, Ill.,, deaths in
creased to ll0. Deaths in other
Illinois cities unchanged in num-
bers. All bodies recovered at Prince
ton, Ind. and most Of them at Ovens
vile. Passable roads making res
cue and relief work more expedi-
tious. Property loss Indiana towns
estimated $3,O00,O00 to $4,OOO.OOO.
Devastated regions turning to plans
and means Of burying their dead.
Shortage of coffins and facilities
may cause group burials.
All business in Murphysboro sus-
pended and banks urged to keep
doors closed.
Herrin, Ill.,, scene of several Will
Hanson County shootings and up
risings, just south of blasted storm
strip. opened its one hospital to in
jured. .
Estimated that more than one
third of the dead at DeSoto, III. were
children under three years.
A violent .snowstorm fringed the
tornado on the north when it struck
Wednesday.
King Victor Emanuel and Premier
Mussolini Of Italy and acting Pres
ident Simons Of Germany cabled
condolences to the United States.
The number of frightful mutila-
tions and crushed limbs and the
fact that in many cases wounds
ground full of dirt could not be at
tended for hours brought the spectre
OF tepanus stalking on the field. Air
planes bearing all available tepanus
antitoxins rushed out Of Indianapolis.
Women at DeSoto took up collec-
tion along the line of automobiles
attracted to the scene and in a short
time had raised several thousand
dollars.
Contributions in money and sup
plies made directly as the response
to appeals over the radio apparently
will set new high total through
this means Of reaching the world.
Chicago. Mar. 2O.-Still prostrated
but with the hurried efforts at
temporary relief supplemented by
the arrival of trained workers, sup.
plies and medicine, the storm area
Of the Ohio Valley today continued
to count the terrific loss Of life and
property of its great tornado catas-
trophe.
Revised casualty lists indicated
little change from the first hectic
estimate Of Wednesday afternoons
twister which ploughed its eccentric
and destructive course into five mid
western states. Fairly systematic
checkings in 35 cities and towns in
the storms path indicated q death
list Of between 800 and 900, with APP
proximately 5000 injured. and many
other thousands homeless. It was
believed, however, that many bodies
were still to be recovered as entire
towns were demolished and isolated.
A check of the devastated area had
not progressed far enough to permit
even rough estimate Of property
losses.
Additional light on the character
istics and behavior Of the great tor
nado was provided by Prof. Henry
J. Cox. government forecaster at
Chicago, who called it q typical mid
die west springtime storm. It orig
mated over the gulf Of Lower Cali
fornia, he said, passed harmlessly
over Colorado, dipped to Arkansas,
and then took path Of least re-
sistance along the Ohio Valley. There
its major force was spent and it
rushed off on . high wind in the
direction Of Iceland. -
Prof. Cox explained that in the
spring the sun heats the air In cer-
tain regions causing warm whirling
currents which strike colder waves
from the north. The result 10 .
great circular movement Of the air
over 9 large area called a cyclone.
As relief measures got underway,
stories Of almost unprecedented
misery in the storm-swept area came
in from all points. Temporary
morgues and hospitals were filled to
overflowing while frantic men, wo-
men and children searched the long
lines Of dead for missing dear ones.
In. some instances doctors performed
major operations out Of doors or in
roofless buildings without the aid Of
anesthetic. Paralysis Of light and
water facilities In some towns added
to the discomfort and confusion and
through second night Of horror ~
lief workers had only candles and
lanterns to guide their efforts of
mercy. No food shortage exists.
however. the Red csoss 4 st. LouiA
announced. s1 rslssss
In Southstn Illihlbis Nheta -
tezsitie h1xae : ! I z r TT
ltpwA.t I'D ! H. fSss. .