Washington, Kansas
Tornado
July
4, 1932
BUILDINGS CRASH
Half of Business Section of Washington,
Kas., Reported Wrecked
Washington, Kas. - (AP) Scores of
persons were homeless here today, victims of a
Fourth of July tornado which struck in
southeastern Nebraska and Northern Kansas,
killing at least four persons, injuring
approximately fifty others, and wrecking more
than 100 buildings.
The storm swept into Washington late
yesterday, razing homes within a few blocks of
the city park, where several thousand persons
were assembled for an Independence day
celebration.
Washington (AP) Tornadic winds
hedge-hopping across southeastern Nebraska and
northern Kansas have killed at least three
persons, injured more than a score and brought
great damage to the town of Washington.
Citizens of Washington and numerous visitors
from nearby towns observed the sweep of the
storm clouds near the close of an all day Fourth
of July celebration.
Gov. Harry M. Woodring, who was to be
the principal speaker, cancelled the engagement
because of fatigue after his return yesterday
from the Democratic national convention at
Chicago.
Crashing buildings killed
Peter Gillette,
a retired mail carrier and
Garland Hubka,
about 20, of Nerka, Kas. The city of
approximately 1,300 persons immediately was
thrown into complete chaos. Reports that two
additional persons had been killed could not be
verified early today.
Eight of the more seriously were taken to a
Clay Center, Kas., hospital. Attaches of the
hospital said today that none was in critical
condition.
List Injured
These injured included
Alma Green, 15, Fairbury, Neb.;
Alva Sinnitt, 19, Washington;
Harry Frazer,
Washington; Vatlor
Houska, 75, Washington;
Mrs. Joseph Houska, 68, Washington;
Ruth Fleming,
20, Washington,
Mona May Tay, 14, Linn, Kas., and
Mrs. Roy Pitcher,
29, Washington.
Immediate attempts at rescue were started
after the tornado struck, but such efforts were
seriously hampered by a downpour of rain.
The rain halted later in the evening, but
complete darkness added to the uncertainty of
rescue operations. All electric light service
was halted. The wind also wrenched aside the
municipal water tower and the water supply was
interrupted.
Virtually half of the business section of the
town was wrecked. Damaged buildings included the
town's two school houses, the courthouse and the
city hall. The Burlington railroad station was
blown completely away.
Emergency medical stations were established
in a hotel and the telephone office. Many
persons, other than those taken to the Clay
Center hospital, received treatment for more
minor injuries.
Numerous motorists fled to safety before the
approach of the storm cloud. Parked automobiles
were undamaged in residential sections of the
town.
Mayor Edgar Bennett
estimated that 50 business buildings and 75
residences either were leveled or partially
destroyed.
It just tore up the entire town, he
explained.
Ruth Fleming,
one of those taken to Clay Center for treatment
escaped the wind unhurt, but slipped and
seriously injured her back during the later
excitement.
Appleton Post Crescent, Appleton, WI 5 Jul
1932
Transcribed by
Sandi
Carter. Thanks, Sandi!
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