Indianapolis Times, Volume 36, Number 266, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 March 1925 — Page 1

Home Edition FOLLOW the progress of the Indians with Eddie Ash, Times Sports Editor, every day.

VOLUME 36 --- NUMBER 266

TORNADO DEATH TOTAL MAY REACH 1,000 Will 20,000 LEFT HOMELESS Upwards of 1,000 persons have perished and 3,000 were injured in the most disastrous cyclone that ever visited the country. Nearly a score of populous towns were virtually destroyed. As many more were badly damaged. Five States were affected by the terrific blasts which late Wednesday struck in northeastern Missouri, southern Illinois, southeastern Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. Between seventy-five and one hundred lives were reported lost and $10,000,000 damage done in Indiana. The storm split in Illinois, part sweeping into Indiana and part to Kentucky and Tennessee. . Fire followed the cyclone at many points. The full force of the storm centered upon Murphysboro, Ill. This town was practically leveled. The death list there will be staggering. Reports' estimated the dead at 400 and declared the list might reach 800. Thousands are homeless throughout the stricken area. Millions have been lost in property damage. Red Cross and other relief organizations have taken charge of the work of rescue and care of the storm victims. Schoolhouses and public buildings have been turned into temporary morgues and hospitals. Relief workers are searching through the ruins of wrecked homes and other buildings for the dead and extricating the injured. From every point comes stories of terrors incident to the storm. Children were killed when schoolhouses were wrecked. Trees and parts of wrecked buildings were blown for miles around. Even bodies were reported found a mile or more from the town in which the victim was believed killed. Eyewitnesses tell of finding bodies with arms or legs twisted off, apparently by the force of the wind, and others pierced through by flying timbers. Relief workers from other parts of Illinois, Missouri and Indiana are in southern Illinois, which suffered most of the damage.' Illinois State troops are on the scene, dispatched by Governor Len Small the moment word of the disaster reached him. More troops will be sent if necessary.

STATE STORM TOLL IS 75-100

Property Loss Caused by Tornado in Southern Part of Indiana Estimated at $10,000,000—Rich Farming Section Devastated. By United Press EVANSVILLE, Inch, March 19.—Death in the cyclonee which roared from the west into southern Indiana late Wednesday, wiping out villages and leaving a trail of indescribable destruction through prosperous country side, was estimated today at between 75 and 100.

PRINCETON DIGS INTO RUINS FOR TWISTER VICTIMS Troops Take Control of Rescue Work —Hundreds Are Homeless, By John L. Niblack Times Staff Correspondent PRINCETON, Ind., March 19.--twenty known dead, more bodies probably in the wreckage of eighty blocks swept by a tornado at 4:16 p. m. Wednesday, hundreds of injured to be taken care of, telephone and telegraph lines down. These are the conditions Princeton is battling against today in an effort to restore order and carry on rescue work as rapidly as possible. Conditions at Owensville are said to be very much the same. Estimates are that the dead and injured at Owensville will be about one-third of the number of those here. The tornado-swept blocks in the southern end of Princeton have been placed under martial law. Maj. Ben Watt, Battery D, 139th Field Artillery, is in charge. Rescuers at Work Already 200 civilian workers under military direction are combing the ruins for victims. Fortunately, Company D is the Princeton company and was on duty almost immediately after the tornado struck. Company A, 161st Infantry, from Evansville, Capt. L. N. Halverson, commanding, is expected to arrive at any time. The devastated area covers about eighty blocks, about one-fourth of the town. Major Watt, who is in charge of the new martial area, reported to the Adjutant General's office at Indianapolis that he had the situation in hand and thought that with the arrival of a troop of infantry from Evansville no more troops would be neededMajor Watt said the soldiers latest trouble was in keeping the refugees from crowding back into the devastated district. The Princeton hospital is full of injured and the Elks and Eagles homes have been converted into temporary hospitals. Arrival of thousands of visitors (Turn to Page 5) HOURLY TEMPERATURE 7 a. m. 33 5 a. m... . 34 8 a. m...... 32 11 a. m .....38 9 a. `m. 12 (noon)--42

The Indianapolis Times

Hundreds were injured: Property loss was estimated at $10,000,000. Communication lines were down and only meager details of the tomado’s havoc were obtainable. Reports received: Thirty dead at Griffin, 100 injured. Twenty dead at Princeton; 200 injured. Thirteen dead at Owensville, 100 injured. Reports that five were killed and scores injured at Poseyvllle, proved unfounded. This town escaped serious damage, according to reliable reports received here. Estimates that the dead list may reach 100 were made as result of fears that scores have been killed in rural districts from which no reports have been received. The tornado ripped through one of the richest sections in this part of the State and the high property loss was figured on the probable enormous loss of live stock. Thousands of dairy cattle were reported killed. Not a house was left standing at Griffin, village of 150 homes. Ruins were still blazing here today and many are believed to have been burned to death. The town was practically without water and little could be done. Reports were that odor of burning flesh permeated the air for miles. Meanwhile Evansville, which escaped the storm, was turned into a huge relief station with Mayor Elmendorff in charge. Scores of injured were brought here from Griffin. The first of the injured to die was Elwood Wade, 7, of Griffin. Eight burned to death in a restaurant fire at Griffin. Ten school children were killed and twenty-six injured when a school hack near Griffin was lifted from the road and hurled into the ditch bottom up. The Helntz pickle factory at Princeton was destroyed and from twenty to twenty-five are reported dead in the ruins. Two bodies were (Turn to Page 16)

Basketball BY RADIO The play In the State Basketball Finals will be broadcast by THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES Friday and Saturday through the Merchants Heat and Light Company’s station— WFBM

Map of Area Swept by Wednesday’s Gale

Map Shows the Path of the Tornado Yesterday, It Started In Southeastern Kansas, Struck a Number of Places In Missouri, Swept Across Southern Illinois, and Then Hit Southern Indiana. Great Loss of Life Is Feared in Twenty or More Illinois and Indiana Towns Destroyed.

RED CROSS TO MAKE RELIEF FUND DRIVE Indianapolis Leaders Decide to Ask Help for Storm Sufferers—First A id Car to Be Sent,

The executive committee of the Indianapolis chapter of the American Red Cross today authorized an appeal for funds to aid in relief in the southern Indiana tornado district. The committee, meeting at the Chamber of Commerce with the president, William Fortune. also decided to send the first aid car stationed in Indianapolis, to Princeton, probably today. Marcus Sonntog, president of the Red Cross chapter at Evansville, who met with the Indianapolis committee, arranged to go with the relief car. The staff of surgeons on the car is composed of Dr. Robert L. Browning and Dr. Grant Hartzell, of Washington, D. C., and Dr. Herbert T. Wagner, Indianapolis director of Red Cross first aid, and Dr. John A. White, assistant director. Fortune was awaiting further word from Eugene C. Foster, Indianapolis Red Cross representative Who went to Princeton Wednesday. Governor Helps Following a conference with Governor Jackson this morning, Fortune announced the Governor said he would issue a proclamation late today calling upon the people of Indiana to send contributions to local Red Cross chapters. The Governor of Illinois has issued a similar proclamation, Fortune said. Foster, who represented the American Red Cross in the Sullivan mine disaster relief, reached Princeton at night Wednesday and reported by telephone at 4:30 a. m. today to Fortune. Relief measures are already under way in that city, Foster reported. Local activities have been organized under leadership of Morris Welborn, chairman of the Gibson County chapter of the Red Cross, and an organization meeting was scheduled early today, following this con- ference, Fortune said he would recom-

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1925

mend steps to be taken by the Indianapolis chapter. Many volunteered at headquarters for relief work among injured and survivors. Three Technical High School students reported for duty. They said they were ready to perform manual (Turn to Page 16) CLEW TO RALPH LEE Hear Enemies of Sheriff Provided Saws for Release. Bv Times Special FRANKLIN, Ind., Match 19. Charles E. Bowen, sheriff, was investigating reports today that his enemies were responsible for the release of Ralph Lee of Indianapolis, held in Jail awaiting trial on murder charges. Mrs. B. L. Plowman, a sister living near here, said Lee came to her home shortly after he escaped to tell her goodby. He told her political enemies of the sheriff gave him saws.

Ten Children Die in School But Bv Times Sppecial EVANSVILLE, Ind., March 19.—Ten school children wete killed and twenty-six injured, ner Griffin, late Wednesday, when the cyclone, which swept southern Indiana picked up a school back bodily, carried it a few feet and dropped it upside down. Only one child escaped unscathed. The children were on their way from school.

NATIONAL GUARD LEADER GOES TO TORNADOCENTER Adjutant General Ordered to Princeton to Take Charge .of Troops, Adjutant-General William H. Kershner left this morning for Prlncetbn by automobile, immediately after receiving orders from Governor Jackson to organize relief corps of the Indiana National Guard and do whatever else was necessary in the storm district. Jackson instructed Kershner to establish military law wherever necessary to prevent looting. The Governor took no definite action pending advices from Kershner. The Governor received a telephone message from Griffin this morning, with information the entire town had been flattened. Kershner said he believed there were enough troops In the immediate locality to care for the needs. Three or four companies of Infantry are available at Evansville. Some troops from there wont on duty Wednesday. The 2nd Battalion of the 139th Field Artillery, under command of Major Ben H. Watt, was on duty at Griffin. . Company E. of the 162nd Infantry, stationed at Evansville, went on duty early this morning in the cyclone area. Approximately $26,000 is available for use by Governor Jackson for relief of storm sufferers. It represents a balance of the Governor’s emergency fund, appropriated by the 1923 Legislature. Bond Issue Disapproved State tax commissioners today disapproved a $9,002 bond issue for of a school building at Paris Crossing , Jennings County

DEVASTATION LIES IN WAKE OF TERRIFIC CYCLONE WHICH ROARS ACROSS FIVE STATES Southern Illinois. Awakens With Towns and Countryside Razed by Twister and Fire—Three-Mile-Wide Swath Is Cut From Annapolis, Mo., in Indiana and to Tennessee and Kentucky—Relief Measures Started. By United Press ST. LOUIS, Mo., March 19—The whirling death-wind which late Wednesday swept over southern Illinois has exacted a toll of more than 1,000 dead and injured and has caused property damage of upward of $10,000,000, it was indicated at noon today after a check-up of Murphysboro, West Frankfort, DeSoto and many other towns of the district. The death figures were based upon bodies recovered from the stricken area add upon the number of persons still unaccounted for in the storm ridden territory. The rural communities still have to report their lost of life and injured list, and this is expected to swell the total. Towns Are Levelled Whole towns have been almost destroyed. DeSoto and Gorham are little more than charred memories. West Frankfort and Murphysboro, the latter place where the hurricane seemed to reach its fury, were partly destroyed. It is estimated that some 20,000 persons are without homes as result of the whirling wind. Relief measures are under way today with nurses, doctors, tents and first aid supplies having been rushed in here overnight from Chicago, St. Louis and other cities. Relief trains have arrived at Murphysboro, Gorham and Annapolis. At Murphysboro the relief work is in charge of Henry M. Baker, Washington, national disaster relief director for the Red Cross, who was in St. Louis on business when first reports of the storm reached here. Relief Work Under Way In the entire devastated area hospital tents have been erected, kitchens built and bunks laid out for the victims. Hospitals of the entire area are filled to this overflowing and in Carbondale, Benton and Duquoin the churches, schools and larger public buildings have been transformed into relief hospitals.

The death dealing winds swung down on Annapolis, Mo.— tho first town in the path—shortly after 3 p. m., Wednesday. Houses were leveled, trees uprooted and debris whirled through the air. Only three persons are known to have died there, but many more were injured. But the real damage came after the storm struck southern Illinois, where its deadly path included the principal cities of “Egypt,” as the region is known. One-third of West Frankfort was flattened. Subsequent fire also added misery. Three hundred homes are in ruins there. Eighty-five bodies have been recovered. Flames Follow Wind At Murphysboro the town was almost wiped out. What few buildings remained standing soon were burned down by the flames, which could not be checked owing to the storm having ruined the water supply. In several instances dynamite was used in an effort to check the flames.

Os the 150 reported killed at De Soto, approximately one half were school children, according to reports here. The twister completely wiped out a combined high school and ward school in which more than 200 pupils were housed. Eighty-eight bodies have been,removed from the wreckage of that building and several students are still missing. At Gorham thirty-live persons wars said to have died when the tor-

Entered an Second-Class Matter at Postofflce, Indianapolis. Published Dally Except Sunday.

nado flattened the entire city. Few buildings were left standing and frantic calls for help were sent out by the victims. One relief train has arrived here. Besides these larger cities a score of smaller communities were wiped out of existence, and the loss of lifo and number of injured will remain unknown for several days. Among these latter communities Parrish, where the wlnd was (Turn to Page 18)

Forecast Generally fair tonight and Friday. Not much chance in temperature. Lowest tonight near freezing.

TWO CENTS

Debris in Wake of Storm

Miners were at work In pits near West Frankfort, Ill., when the storm struck there. They immediately rushed to the top and started in a frantic search to see if their families were safe. Many, whose families had been saved, found parts of their homes blown down. Reconstruction work was started on the homes immediately. *** In one morgue at West Frankfort eighteen babies, ranging in age from a few months to five years old lay side by side today. *** A grim note of the tragedy was seen n the ruins of a home near West Frankfort, Ill. Rescue workers found the body of a mother and In her arms was a dead five months old baby. • • • The entire area around Duqoin. Benton and DeSoto, Ill., was lighted about midnight from the, flames which, destroyed sections of Murphysboro. The blames broke out immediately.