Story of the Storm

Part 4: Colorado newspaper reports on storm

Havoc and Death

Northwestern Iowa Swept by a Tornado

One of the Most Appalling Disasters In the History of the State-The Town of Pomeroy Entirely Destroyed-The Killed and Injured.

POMEROY, Ia., July 10.- Sunday was a sad day for the people of Pomeroy. All day long people loaded down with flowers passed down the winding road that leads to the cemetery, depositing their perfumed burdens on the forty odd nude graves, where all that is mortal of what were last Sunday happy and prosperous people.

Crowded With Sightseers

The total number of persons killed by the tornado here and elsewhere is placed at 80. Hundreds of people poured into tht town all day long. They came from every direction and in all manners. Much trouble was experienced in handling the crowds. The Fort Dodge company of the state guards, which has been on duty since last Friday, constitute the sole police force, and the members are pretty well tired out. There are but 40 of them, and they were unable to control the hundreds of sightseers. Ropes were finally thrown around the ruins. These, with the assistance of the guards, kept back somewhat the pushing, jostling mass.

Disease Larking About

The sanitary condition of Pomeroy was never good, the town being located on a perfectly flat strip of ground. The drainage facilities are miserable. All the sewers are stopped with debris and wreckage, and as a result pools of water formed by the recent heavy rains are scattered all over the ground. The further fact that dead animals of every description are strewn about the town makes the situation worse. Two hundred and eight residences were swept completely away. Not a board was left. Hardly a residence remains untouched and the business portion is so badly wrecked it can be said with truth that Pomeroy is no more. The dead carcasses of horses, cattle and hogs are being taken from the ruins and buried.

Many More May Die

The injured, so the doctors report, are doing as well as could be expected under the circumstances, but the outlook for their recovery is not regarded as favorable as it was. It was thought no more than 10 to 12 would die. But it is now estimated that fully 21 will be unable to survive their injuries. Among those who are very and for whom little hopes are entertained for their recover are Mrs. John Davy, and her sister-in-law, Miss Kate Davy; Ray Keefer, a boy; Joseph Demars, Mike Quinlan, whose wife was killed; Mrs. Henry Gike, who lost her husband, and Emma Spies. These people are all injured internally, besides having broken bones. The death list has been increased by three. A body of a woman was found under the ruins of her house, together with two of her children, a boy and a girl.

Vandals at Work

Many complaints are still made of the work of the human vultures who commenced operations immediately after the storm and who have kept buys ever since. It is estimated that $20,000 has been stolen from the ruins since Friday.

Money is coming from all the towns in the state and there has been received at headquarters upwards of $9,000.

The Following Are Dead:

Three miles east of Pomeroy the following:

A short distance further on the following dead were found:

Five miles southwest of Fonda five were killed:

Two were killed near Quimby:

About five miles south of Aurelia were the following fatalities:

Southwest of Storm Lake five were killed: