Elmo, Missouri Tornado
May
26, 1903
Blanchard, Ia., May 27. -- A most
destructive and fatal tornado struck the town of
Elmo, Mo., eight miles south of Blanchard, and
just across the Missouri state line, at 5
o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Nine persons were killed outright and five
were injured, some of whom may die.
The storm came from the northeast and first
truck the Wabash depot. The Masonic temple
was the next building in its path, and it was
demolished. On the lower floor of the
temple was located a general merchandise store,
and in the store was gathered a number o f
citizens of the town. The building was
torn to pieces before any warning was received,
an the victims were buried beneath the wreckage.
Of the fourteen persons in the store only
five escaped death, and these received injuries
which in two or three cases may prove fatal.
The storm passed on through the town, leaving
only a few buildings standing.
Elmo is a small town on the Wabash railroad
branch running from Omaha to Brunswick Missouri,
and has about 200 inhabitants.
Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, CO 29 May
1903
Daniel C. Barker,
a retired farmer died during the night of
apoplexy caused by fright; Ed Wiseman, a farmer
is missing and C.
Daniels and
Mrs. John McMahon are seriously
injured.
Reno Evening Gazette, Reno, NV 27 May
1903
Gray, Audubon County, May 27. -- A
most destructive and fatal tornado struck the
town of Elmo, Mo., eight miles south of
Blanchard and just across the Missouri state
line last evening.
Nine persons were killed outright and five
were injured, some of whom may die.
The
dead:
C.C.
CALHOUN
CASSIUS BELL
J.J.
ALVIS
LEONARD BRADLEY
MINTON HUFF
GUS
HUFF
OREN
STRANGLER
D.L.
STRAKES
GEORGE PERRY
... Throughout the town but a few buildings
were left standing. After leaving Elmo the
storm continued into the country in a southwest
direction, and it is feared that more fatalities
have occurred. Several dwellings have been
blown to pieces, but the fate of their occupants
is unknown.
A deluge of rain added its share to the
misfortune of the stricken people and tonight
the homeless inhabitants are being cared for at
the few remaining homes that escaped the fury of
the storm.
Ottumwa Daily Courier, Ottumwa, IA 27
May 1903
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