The Moore Enterprise. (Moore, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 42, Ed. 1 Friday, May 19, 1905 Page: 1 of 8
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VOL.
THE MOORE ENTERPRISE.
MOORE. CLEVELAND COlN'TY. OKLAHOMA. KIM DAY. MAY l! . 11)05.
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NO. 12.
TORNADO AT SNV
The Severest Storm Ever Known in Okla-
homa Wipes Out the New Kiowa
County Town-—Nearly
100 are Killed
The Seriously Injured will Number Fifty---Great Loss to
Property in Snyder and Surrounding Country—
With Very Little Warning the Death-Deal-
ing Storm Strikes (Jpon lhem
There has been no official list *
kept of the deaths caused by $
tho storm In Snyder and vlcln- $
Ity, and for this reason It will 'X
be Impossible to give the exact •j|
number of those who lost their £
lives In the recent tornado, but
the number will be nearly one
hundred. It may possibly run
a few more. It Is thought ten of
tho most seriously inured will
ti
I
die. The number of Injured Is A j
probably fifty. $
A cyclone, which has no equal In [
the history of Oklahoma either for
number of persons killed or amount
of property destroyed, passed through
portions of Kiowa and Greer counties
on the night of the 10th. The tirst
traces of the storm was about six
miles south of Olustee, In Greer
county, from whence it took a north-
easterly course through Greer into
Kiowa county for a distance of about
thirty miles. The loss to property
and lives was great and the full ex-
tent of the damage wrought will never
be known.
A report from Olustee and Lock,
In Greer county, is that the entire
Muse family, near Olustee were killed
and J. B. Ralston, bis son, Fred, and
•daughter, Jessie, were killed near
Lock; also Mr. Moss on the McCowan I
ranch.
The largest number of killed and
Injured was at Snyder. Here the I
-working of the storm was appalling
and tho damage and devastation
■wrought Is beyond description. Scarce-
ly a building escaped some damage
or a family, but what one or more
members were sacrificed to the rav-
ages of fhe Btorm king.
The denizens of the place had very
little warning of the approaching
storm- A strong wind had been blow-
ing all day followed in the early even-
ing by a torrential rain and frightful
•electrical storm. Between eight and
nine o'clock, the storm came howling
from the southwest. At the first sound
of the approaching tornado many ran
to places of safety, while others not
realising the danger, failed to secure
shelter and were consigned to the
mercies of the storm.
Th« path of the cyclone was nearly
half a mile wide and It swept every-
thing before it. The town was struck
first at the Central hotel, and the rear
of the Pritchard saloon building was
torn awiiy. The two cotton gins, the
Frisco roundhouse, grain elevators
and every residence north of the rail-
road tracks were destroyed. There
are only a few buildings that are not
cither damaged or demolished, and
the prosperous little town is practical-
ly wiped off the map.
In addition to the havoc wrought by
the storm, flre broke out and the
•wreckage of considerable of the busi-
ness part was burned. Whether or
nat any of the bodies of dead or
■wounded were cremated is not known,
but the general belief is that some
■were In the tire-swept ruins.
In a few moments all was over and
the shrlekB and cries of the poor un-
fortunates filled the air. In the dark-
ness of night could be heard the call-
ing of lost ones—parents seeking their
children, husbands their wives, little
■voices calling for papa and mamma.
The tones which went out upon the
night air were heartrending and
pitiful in th® extreme. Many of those
sought wore cold in death, and their
voices hushed. The shrieks and
groans of the dead and dying mingled
■with notes of the ones who had es-
caped seeking their lost ones were
painful to listen to. In many families
not a living soul was left. Prof. C.
T. Hlbbard, the principal of the Sny-
der schools, his wife, two children and
his father and mother were all killed.
Many of the dead were mangled be-
yond recognition.
Communication with the outside
world was broken, and messengers
■were despatched to Mountain Park,
where the news was sent by telephone
to Hobart. Relief trains with doctors
and nnrsea were hurriedly dispatched^
to the scene from various cities.
Meanwhile those who oscaped Injury
In Snyder were working heroically all
through the night amid heartrending
scenes. With day break and the out-
side help that had been secured the
caring for the injured and preparing
of the dead for burial could be car-
ried on in a more systematic manner.
The ruins of a dry goods store was
used for a morgue. The frail bodies
of little children maimed and broken
lay by the strong masculine forms
which had been beaten down by the
flying debris or burled beneath flying
walls- Sad scenes were enacted at
the morgue. Here those who had lost
relatives and friends came to identi-
fy the dead. When identification took
place the demonstration following
was enough to cause the strong men
who were working within to stop and
wipe away the tears.
Several temporary hospitals were
installed In buildings or parts of
buildings left. Even more distressing
were the sights at these places,
prompted by the sympathy for human
suffering. The groans of those under-
going operations were mingled with
the sobs and screams of those whose
loved ones had just departed] this
life.
The destruction of the Fessenden
family, consisting of six members, was
complete. Miss Nina Fessenden, a
daughter, was to have been married
the night of the cyclone to Clarence
Donovan, a railway engineer. The
wedding was postponed because of
some trival matter. Both of them
were killed in the tornado.
The headless body of Fred Crump,
a boy was found lying in the cellar to
his home. Members of the family
who were in the cellar at the time
say that he had just started down
the steps when a piece of timber
struck him, completely severing his
head.
Three children in the Cook family
all of them under the age of a years,
were killed, the youngest, 3 months
old, being blown from Us mother s
arms and instantly killed by being
thrown against a brick wall.
One of the saddest cases was that
of Cal C- Williamson, one of the lead-
tag citizens. When the tornado
struck the town Williamson hurriedly
picked up a woman, whom he thought
was his young wife, and carried her to
a place of safety. When the storm
abated it was discovered that the wo-
man he rescued was not his wife, but
a stenographer. Later he found his
wife among the dead mangled so that
identification was difficult.
R. Pritchard, one of the leading
men in the stricken town, after a
careful Investigation, gave out the
following interview:
'•The cyclone struck Snyder about
nine o'clock. It may have been a few
minutes later. It came without warn-
ing. To the best of my recollection
there was a dead calm just prior to
the blast of wind. When the 'twister'
struck Synder it seemed that the air
was filled with flying timbers in an
instant. Buildings that would be con-
sidered substantial structures any-
where were torn asunder as if made
of paper. Frame dwellings were lifted
from their foundations, carried far
away and demolished. Flying timbers
crushed in skulls, shattered bones and
crushed helpless human beings almost
to a pulp.
"It was all over In fifteen minutes,
but it seemed to last for an age. God
alone knows what we have passed
through since that time. Whole fam-
ilies have been wiped out. In other
families all have been killed save one,
in still others the father and mother
have been taken, leaving a lot of
heiploss little children. One who was
here before the storm would not rec-
ognize the place now.
"The cyclone came up the Canadian
river valley. I have been told, and
my Informants are reliable persons,
the visitation upon other farm proper-
ty has been equally severe.
"I should say that the property loss
in Snyder will approximate $500,000.
For instance, on the north side of the
Frisco track and on the east side of
E street, probably forty buildings of
an average value of JIIOO each have
been either demolished or damaged.
It is the same on the Bouth side of
the street. Many valuable residences
have been blown away.
"But don't ask me further about the
property loss. The other features of
this cyclone are far too much to think
about."
The cyclone prostrated all wires out
of Snyder and for about twelve hours
this place was cut off from communi-
cation with the outside world. Im-
mediately upon receipts of advices
from nearby points, however, the Fris-
co railway started a special train
toward Snyder. It stopepd along the
way to pick up section hands and
other assistance and by daylight a
large crew was at work repairing the
damage that had been wrought. Other
special trains arriving soon after
brought nurses, medicines, physicians,
clothing and food. Special trains were
coming in all day. The people
of Oklahoma and Indian Territory did
not wait to be called upon. They con-
tributed liberally and dispatched their
contributions to this place without de-
lay.
But Inasmucn as the financial losses
have been very heavy, appeals have
been sent out for assistance on that
score. The people of Snyder are In
sore straits ami sadly in need of help
from the outside world. Among the
l|(st towns to respond with aid was
Mangum.
A special was dispatched from Okla-
homa City containing Frisco officials
and a number of volunteers who came
to render what assistance they could.
Among the number was the mayor,
who is also a physician. Upon seeing
the situation and learning the condi-
tions he telegraphed the commercial
club of his city who responded liber-
ally to the aid of the sufferers, besides
clothing and food the relief commit-
tee was wired $1,500 In cash which
was donated by citizens, and more Is
being subscribed.
Lawton responded generously to the
aid of the sufferers, dispatching ten
physicians early in the day. A num-
ber of other towns Including Hobart,
Mountain Park, Chickasha and Qua-
nah, Texas, were prompt in offering
aid and assistance.
The undertakers of the two terri-
tories were in session at Oklahoma
City at the time of the cyclone and a
goodly number of the delegates volun-
teered their services. They came
bringing with them one hundred cof-
fins.
Gov. Ferguson of Oklahoma has Is
sued a proclamation calling attention
to the needs of the city and offers of
relief and aid is coming In with
every train.
A relief organization of Snyder citi-
zens has been formed the officers of
which are E. P. Dunn, president; J.
C. Burnett, secretary, and J. L. Hel-
ena, treasurer, tha latter to whom all
donations and relief supplies should
be sent. This committee, besides car-
ing for the wounded is making efforts
to locate friends of the unfortunat<s
and also answering telegrams of In-
quiry sent in.
J. L. Helena, treasurer of the local
relief committee at Snyder, has Issued
the following statement:
"The pressing need of our citizens
is money. The towns near us have
responded liberally, and we do not
want for food and clothing, but we
have about 100 bodies to bury ami
almost fifty Injured persons to be
taken care of, and besides those who
were so fortunate as to escape the
fury of the elements are without
shelter, and this they cannot provide
without money. As all they had was
swept away in fifteen minutes, they
cannot provide this shelter. The whole
residence portion of the town was de-
stroyed, leaving everybody homeless,
if the liberal people of the southwest
care to contribute, and wili send
money to me as treasurer of the
Snyder relief committee, the money
will be used to alleviate the condition
of persons who are as worthy and as
much in need as human beings can
lie."
LIST OF STORM VICTIMS
It Is next to Impossible to secure
an accurate list of the dead and in-
jured. The citizens having the re-
lief work in charge have attempted
to keep an accurate list in order to be
able to answer all inquiries of friends,
and in this they have been qiute suc-
cessful, but there are a few unac-
counted for, and the Identification of
some may not be correct. Owing to
the great number «f transients and
new residents the names of some
may be incorrect, but are as nearly
so as is possible at this time. Fol-
lowing is the list of dead:
THE DEAD.
ACART, JAMES. _
ALCOTT, HENRY.
ATTAWAY, MR. AND 11KS. AND
TWO CHILDREN.
BAILEY, GEORGE W., age 40.
BAKER, FLORENCE.
BARNES, C. L., ago 50.
BECKWITH, MRS. E. P., age 24
BEEMAN, C. W.
BEEMAN, EARL, son of C. W. Bee-
man.
BIGGS, MRS. MARY.
BUSSER, MR. AND MRS W. H.
BUSSER, RUSSELL.
BL'SKIRK, ALVAN.
COLEMAN, MRS. LOREN AND
three children.
COOK, , AND THREE CHIL-
DREN.
CRUMP, FRED, beheaded.
DAVIS, MR. AND MRS. GEORGE,
AND CHILD.
DONOVAN, C. (!., Frisco engineer,
Lee's Summit, Mo.
1)1 RM, MRS.
DUNN, ALICE
EDWARDS, MISS LULU.
FESSENDEN, MR. AND MRS. S.
S. AND FOUR CHILDREN.
FESSENDEN, H. H.
FOSS, MRS. M. A.
FROST, MRS. GEORGE.
GORTON, HARROLD.
HALEY, PEARL.
HIBBARD, PROFESSOR C P..
WIFE, FATHER, MOTHER AND
TWO CHILDREN.
HUDSON, ADRIAN. AND THREE
CHILDREN, late of Alabama.
FATHER OF MRS. HUDSON.
JOHNSON, MRS. MARY. AND
TWO SONS, of Woods county.
JONES, MR. AND MRS. L. C., AND
THREE CHILDREN.
JONES, FRANK, AND ENTIRE
FAMILY, near Altus.
FRESINGTON, MRS. MIN'A.
McCART, MR. AND MRS. JAMES,
McCART, CHARLES.
MOODY, MRS. M.
MOSS, ROY.
MURPHY, MISS, St. Louis.
NEERLED, MRS. J. B.
ORCUTT, HENRY, ago 30.
ORCUTT, MRS.
RALSTON. , ENTIRE FAM-
ILY, near Altus.
REDWICK, MRS. FANNIE, age 5u.
RUSSELL, MRS- LAURA.
STALEY, PEARL.
STIZEL, CHARLES.
SUTHERLAND, MRS. J. P.
SYMS, MR. AND MRS. AND
DAUGHTER.
Two children of Mr. and Mrs.
Syms are missing.
STIJBBLEF1ELD, MRS. C. P, AND
CHILD.
WEAVER, MR. AND MRS. AND
THREE CHILDREN.
WILLIAMSON, MRS. CAL, age 2G.
VAN BUSKIRK, .
INGALLS, FAMILY OF FOUR.
Seven unidentified men.
One unidentified woman.
One unidentified child.
strike near an end
Injured.
Following is a partial list of
wounded:
Archer, Albert; neck twisted and
head bruised; may die.
Attaway, Fannie; head and shoul-
ders bruised.
Bailey, Mrs. George W.; arm and
leg broken-
Beckwith, A. L.; cut on hip and
leg.
Buser, Grace; thigh cut open; eye
out.
Buser, Freda; broken shoulder.
Carson, Mrs.; spinal fracture.
Coleman, Florence; dislocated
shoulder.
Crooks, M. A.; fractured skull.
Crooks, Stella; fractured shoulder.
Craver, J. \'.; fractured shoulder.
Dill, Elva; head and back.
Harrison, Ed; fjkull crushed.
Hudson, Lavina; skull fractured.
Hudson, ; skull BTactured, leg
broken, eye out.
Jones, Clarenre; skull fractured.
I^awson, John; spinal fracture.
Lawson, Martha; internally.
Mueller, Mrs. IJr ; leg broken, head
injured.
Mize, Mary; Internal.
McCart, Mrs.; skull fractured.
McCart, N. W.; arm off
Paulson. G. C; back crushed.
Paulson, W. A ; fractured skull,
eye out.
ZeigJpr, Mrs.; fatal Injuries.
Selgler, Ix'tta Jane; Internal.
Stubblefield, child; will die.
Beckwith, H.
Crooks, J. A.
Kgan. J. M.; dangerously.
Francis, J
Gault, S. C.
Hudson. Sanderson.
Kidd, Sarah.
Lee, Sam.
Legg, Letta J.
Millard, Mary J.
Mize, Mrs. Mary
Pokon, Mrs. Jennie.
Saunders, Hudson.
Sigler, J H.
Spears, Pearl.
Sutherland, Ruby.
Townsend, John.
TOWNSITE OF ELGIN
Struggle Between Teamsters and Em-
ployees May be Called Off
CHICAGO: Although no facts
have as yet transpired to warrant the
prediction, it is asserted both by
members of the Employers' associ-
ation and by the conservative element
in the ranks of the teamsters that the
present strike will be called off, prob-
ably by the end of the week- it is
not likely that any definite action
looking to an adjustment id' the dif-
ficulty will be taken prior to the meet-
ing of the national officers of the
Teamsters' union.
Chief among the causes which led
to the prediction of a settlement are
the firm stand taken by both Mayor
Dunne, when, in conference with
President Shea and officials of the lo-
cal Teamsters' union, he assured
them that any further spread of the
strike would certalntly make It neces-
sary for him to call for troops, and
the arrival of Samuel Gompers, presi-
dent of the American Federation of
Labor.
At a recent meeting of the board of
education warrants were sworn out
for eight boys who have ben leaders
in the recent strikes at the schools,
in sympathy with the troubles of the
teamsters. It was announced by the
superintendent of compulsory educa-
tion that he had definite information
to the effect that the majority of the
strikes at the schools had been Insti
gated by hoodlums, who had told the
pupils it was their duty to refuse to
attend school, because the school au-
thorities were buying coal of boycot-
ted firms. The threats of parents
whose children did not attend school
had the effect of settling three of the
strikes.
DEEDSOF HIS OWN
sovernor Mccurtain insists
on delivery of patents
without approval
BATTLE LOOKED FOR
All Preliminaries Arranged and Next
Is Operation
FT. PETERSBURG: With a sus-
picious stoppage of dispatches from
Manchuria and a strong probability
that Vice Admiral Rojestvensky has
cut his last communication with homo
and set forth on the final stage of his
journey to his goal, fit her Togo or
Viadlvostock, keen Interest Is mani-
fested in naval and military circles
here on the two-fold theater of war.
Though tho admiralty, which has
been completely silent since the ad-
vent of Rojeitvenskv in the Chinese
sea, publisher no dispatches, the con-
clusion is growing that the united
squadrons, as indicated by the Associ-
ated Press, departed from fhe Annam
coast immediately alter their junc-
ture, and naval officials are anxiously
expecting news of the first skirm-
ishes between scouts of the hostile
fleets The Associated Press corre-
spondent, on his visits to naval offi-
cers, to investigate the rumor that
Vice Admiral Rojestvensky's health
had broken down, was repeatedly and
eagerly questioned for the latest In
formation through, press dispatches,
which, it was declared, was a better
source than the admiralty.
New Hearing Ordered. «nd Probate
Judge May Comply With the Law J
LAWTON: The general land office
has ordered a rehearing in the con- |
test of Logan Fain vs. Gee Gee, now j
Elgin-
On February 10, last, the townslte (
of Elgin was canceled by the general J
land office because the probate judge I
had failed to make triplicate plats of !
the townsite, as required by law. On [
February 27 Ixigan Fain made applW
ontlon for homestead entry on the
townslte of Elgin. This application
was denied, and he filed an appeal, j
accompanied by a protest against the
reinstatement of the townslte. On
March 2 the settlers of the townslte
asked that Elgin be reinstated, alleg-
ing that the probate Judge had failed
to notify them of the triplicate plats
required.
JUDGE MERRICK DEAD
He Was the Man Who Filed Charges
Against Governor Jenkins
GUTHRIE: Judge J. J. Merrick,
sixty-four years old, who served as a
member of the second and seventh
Oklahoma legislatures, died here
on Wednesday. He was a native of
Carroll county, Ohio, a soldier In the
civil war and afterward became well
known as a detee've. In the early
seventies he was connected with a
celebrated counterfeiting case, follow-
ing four Ohio suspects to Kansas and
working with them an entire season
in the harvest fields to assure him-
self of their identity.
Judge Merrick filed the charges in
Washington which resulted in the dis
missal by President Roosevelt of Gov-
ernor Jenk'ns of Oklahoma four years
ago. Merrick was also well known
in Kansas politics during the admin
IsJration of Governor Leweliing.
ACROSS THE OCEAN
Yachts Enter a Three Thousand Mile
Race for Emperor's Cup
NEW YORK: A splendid fleet of
sailing yachts swept across a starling
line at Sandy Hook light ship and
with the American schooner Atlantic
leading the way, headed out lo the
broad Atlantic ocean on a race of 3.000
miles to the English coast for a
000 cup offered by Emperor William
of Germany. When last seen, as
they vanished in the mist, they were
strung out in s line six miles long,
headed southeastward, and pointing
as nearly as possible to a wind that
was dead ahead.
Drowned in a Creek
SOUTH MCALESTER: Columbus
Smith, a negro, was drowned in a
cretdi near Garvin, while trying to
cross the stream on a mule. Smith
was carrying a sack of meal, and in
order to keep It dry tted it about his
neck The mule hist its footing, and
Hmith eou>d not release himself ot
the heavy weight. His body was
found thirty yards from the ford.
COMMISSION AND SECRETARY ICNORED
A Saucy and Independent Communi-
cation Sent to Dawes Commission
—Says the Secretary of the Inter-
ior Hasn't Universal Power
Ml SKOGEE: Tho Dawes commis-
sion has received a communication
from Green McCurtain, governor of
the Choctaw Indian nation, in which
he sets forth lii« opinion on the de-
livery of patents to the Choctaw al-
lottees without the approval of the
secretary of the Interior. McCurtain
says there is no law, made either by
tteaty or by congress, which author-
izes the secretary of the Interior to
'nterfere with the delivery of deeds.
He also makes some sarcastic re-
marks in reference to Mr. Hitchcock,
whom he charges with meddling.
One of the statements made is, "I do
not presume that the secretary ot
the interior has universal power."
This caustic remark was called
forth by a decision of the department
of justice defining the powers of the
secretary of the iuterlor. Governor
McCurtain's communication is an in-
dependent and saucy one. The Choc-
taw chief also states that he has de-
livered nearly all the eight thousand
patents sent him, and if the Dawes
commission refuses to forward thu
deeds be will call in the certificates
of allotment which have been issued
to Choctaw and Chickasaw citizens,
and will issue deed of his own mak-
ing. This, he insists, according to
the treaties and the act of congress,
is perfectly legal He also says he
has had a conference with Governor
Johnston of the Chickasaw nation,
and the policy as outlined above has
been agreed upon. The patents
which are being delivered will be re-
corded in the recording districts, in-
stead of with the Dawes commission.
Secretary Hitchcock has ordered the
Dawes commission to not deliver any
more deeds to the belligerent gover-
nors. The Indian chiefs have been
fully advised by their attorneys, who
insist that they are proceeding ac-
cording to the acts of congress and
the Indian treaties.
NO NORTH; NO SOUTH
Baptists at St. Louis General Conven-
tion Adopt Plan for Uniting
ST. LOUIS: The general conven-
tion of t'ie Baptists of the north and
south listened to the report of the
committee of nine, appointed at a
conference in New York last January,
recommending permanent organiza-
tion. and was read by Chairman K. M.
Thresher of Ohio.
The recommendation of permanent
organization constituted the most
important feat tire of the convention,
and its presentation was followed by
a general discussion
The report of the committee recom-
mending permanent organization was
then read and adopted, section by
section. The name of the organiza-
tion is designed as the general con
vent ion of Baptists of North America.
The geographical scope of the organ-
ization is to be North America and
the islands. There Is to be a presi-
dent. three vice presidents, a secre-
tary and a treasurer. Chruches, local,
state and territorial organizations are
to have representation. The new or-
ganization i.s to havejjio authority, ex-
cept that exercised bv the weight of
its opinion. It is n« i to interfere
with the affairs of either of the ex-
isting organizations. Tne next meet-
ing is to be held in l'JOG, and after
that sessions will be hf hi tri-enniallv.
HOW IS THIS?
Rich Strike of Gold Reported Near
Atoka
MUSKOGEE: The discovery of
gold in paying quantities is reported
by the Indian Citizen, of Atoka. The
discovery has been made in the hills
aboout ten miles east of Atoka The
deposit was found in a Assure vein
containing ore which assayed a ton
throughout almost its entire width
while picked samples went much
higher, one return from the assayer
showing a value in the yellow metal
of a ton. The vein is being de-
veloped by George F. Robertson and
Lewis Garrett, of Atoka. The only
drawback to further prospecting is
that it is almost impossible to secure
a clear title to the land at this time.
Largest Transfer for Pawnee County
GUTHRIE: Mr. Taulbee. register
of deeds of Pawnee county, recently
received the largest transfer and
mortgage ever received in that
county for record. It is a transfer
of oil and gas interests in the Osage
ration. Pawnee county, and else-
where. and is for $1,250,000.
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Williams, B. W. The Moore Enterprise. (Moore, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 42, Ed. 1 Friday, May 19, 1905, newspaper, May 19, 1905; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc105433/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.