Toll of 19 Set In Silverton Deadly Storm

SILVERTON, Tex., May 16 [illegible] – The most deadly tornado of the season’s violent Texas weather smashed through this town last night, leaving a heavy toll of dead and injured, many of them infants and children.

State police set the toll of known dead at 19 after searching hospitals and mortuaries in a 70-mile area.

They also counted 58 persons hospitalized. Persons on the scene said as many as 80 were hurt but not all heeded hospital care.

Unofficial estimates of property damage ranged beyond $750,000. “ People died without even knowing what happened,” said Evert Stephens. There was no advance warning, although 20 or more tornadoes danced across Texas during the night, many in this vicinity.

857 Population

Silverton, a farm-ranch town of 857, its utilities ripped out and ankle deep in mud, could not care for the dead and injured. The bodies and the victims requiring hospital care were sent to Amarillo, 65 miles to the northwest, Plainview, Lubbock and other towns and cities.

Two Families were wiped out. “I’ve lost my whole family.” Mourned Barnery Stephens as he stood in front of the foundations of the Rance Stephens home, Barney is Rance’s father.

Rance, his wife, her parents, and the Rance Stephens’ three children were killed. Mrs. Rance’s parents were Mr. and Mrs. Veral Vaughan. The Vaughan and Rance Stephens homes were next to each other and were stripped to the foundations.

Another family wiped out was that of Domingo Rlbae. The parents and their three children were killed.

Homes Razed, Damaged

The state police listed 22 homes destroyed, major damage to 18, minor damage to 20; a cotton gin warehouse, two wholesale oil companies, [illegible] hut, stockpens and a loading ramp destroyed; and 2 public granaries damaged.

“I was in the kitchen trying to get a flashlight, after the lights went out.” Mrs. J. K. Bean related. “When I got the flashlight, something hit me and I know I couldn’t get up.

“So I just stayed down and rolled over by the kitchen cabinet. When I looked up, I could see the sky. I lay there until the tornado was over.”

The Galveston Daily News, Galveston, TX 17 May 1957
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Transcribed by Regina. Thanks Regina!