Marquette, KS Tornado Disaster In Towns, May 1905

TWENTY-SIX LIVES LOST IN A KANSAS TORNADO.

SWATH 100 YARDS WIDE CUT THROUGH TOWN OF MARQUETTE.

RESCUERS FIND 44 INJURED.

SEVERAL DYING IN HOSPITAL -- TWO CARRIED 500 FEET ON BED AND LANDED UNHURT.

Marquette, Kan., May 9. -- When darkness fell to-night it was known that twenty-six lives had been lost in the tornado that wrecked part of Marquette early to-day and did much damage in this vicinity, and that forty-four persons had been injured. Of the injured thirty-five were seriously hurt and some may die. During the day CARL WARNQUIST and MRS. J. A. CARLSON died of injuries. Several others are suffering from broken limbs and internal injuries.
The list of identified dead follows: GUS ANDERSON, TILLIE ELLERSON, MRS. A. V. ANDERSON, MRS. ELMER HULTGREN, BLANCHE SWITZER, LETTA SWITZER, NINA SWITZER, ANNA COULSON, M. P. NELSON, wife, and three children, A. SJOGREN, SR., OLAF HANSON and wife, GOTTFRIED NELSON, wife, and child, ELMER NELSON, MRS. POSTIER and child, NINA ROBERTS, CARL WARNQUIST, MRS. J. A. CARLSON and CLYDE NORRIS.
To-night order had been brought out of the chaotic condition, and a relief committee had begun work. Twenty-five pupils from Bethany College came to assist as nurses.
The business section suffered little damage. The Swedish, Luther, and Methodist churches, the Opera House block, and dozens of residences are in ruins. The tornado came from the south, and made a clean sweep of 100 yards through the town. Sleeping families were caught up in the whirlwind without a moment's warning. A heavy rainstorm preceded the tornado.
Marquette, in McPherson County, has 1,500 residents. It is the exact centre of Kansas, and in the richest farming country in the State. When the missing in Marquette had been accounted for the searchers directed their attention to the surrounding country. Soon half a dozen wagonloads of dead and injured had been brought in from the district to the south.
There were many narrow escapes. The infant daughter of CHARLES SAILON was lifted in her bed and carried to the middle of the street, receiving only a few scratches. SAILON and his wife were seriously injured. The mattress on which the baby daughter of the Rev. MR. SMITH LAY was doubled up in such a manner as to cover the child and protect it from falling timbers. In spite of the destruction of the SMITH home, the family was uninjured. MR. and MRS. O. S. ELLVIN were carried on their bed 500 feet and laid down without being seriously hurt.

The New York Times New York 1905-05-10
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!