Pierce City, MO Tornado, May 1910

TEN HOMES WRECKED.

TORNADO STRIKES THE TOWN OF PIERCE CITY, MO.

RESIDENTS OF DEVASTATED DISTRICT SEE TWISTER FORMING AND SEEK CELLARS -- BUILDINGS ARE LIFTED FROM OVER THEIR HEADS AND DASHED TO PIECES.

A tornado, which formed northwest of Pierce City, Mo., at 6 o'clock Friday night, struck the western edge of town a few minutes later, destroying ten dwellings and several barns, and swept southwest out of sight. No one was killed.
Cyclone cellars saved the families of EDWARD GREER, WILLIAM TATE, JOHN SHYLOCK and JAMES ABERNATHY. In each instance the tornado swept the houses from above the cellars where men, women and children were huddled together.
That many persons were not killed is due to the fact that the twister was seen to form by those endangered, and thus they had a chance to seek refuge.
The tornado swept trees, telephone poles, houses, fences and vegetation from a path 200 feet wide. Leaving the town, it lifted, and descended again several miles south.
Meager reports of destruction to farm property have been received. Telephonic and telegraphic communication in all directions was interrupted for five hours.
Advices late Friday night tell of the serious injury of three persons and estimate the damage at $20,000.
The injured are:
MYRTLE and FRANK STRONSKY, of Briceville.
HARRISON RODGERS, of Pierce City.
The damaged property consists mainly of residences.

Sioux County Herald Orange City Iowa 1910-06-01
__________________

Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!