1913 — March 23, Easter Sunday Tornados, LA, MO, esp. Omaha, NE, IN, IA –194-196
–202 Logansport Journal-Tribune, IN. “200 Are Killed by Tornado in Omaha.” 3-25-1913, 1.[1]
–190 Blanchard tally of State breakouts below.
–181 NWS. Famous Large Tornado Outbreaks in the U.S. Milwaukee/Sullivan WFO. 2005.
–161 Grazulis 1993, 489.
–115 NE&IA. History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, March 23, 1913. “Tornadoes…”
–103 NE-IA. Sarpy, Douglas Counties, NE; Pottawattamie, Harrison, Shelby, Co. IA. Grazulis.
Summary of State Breakouts Below
Indiana 21-22
Iowa 34
Louisiana 1-2
Missouri 2
Nebraska 136
Breakout of Fatalities by State (and locality where noted):
Indiana (21-22)
–20-23 Bell. “‘Our National Calamity’: The Great Easter 1913 Flood…” 5-1-2015.[2]
–21-22 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below — all Terre Haute and Prairieton.[3]
— >1 Vigo County, Prairieton.[4]
— 21 Vigo County, Terre Haute. 21:30, F4. Grazulis 1993, pp. 491, 738.
— 21 Terre Haute Publishing Co., IN. Terre Haute’s Tornado and Flood Disaster… 1913.[5]
— 20 Terre Haute Publishing Co., IN. Terre Haute’s Tornado and Flood Disaster… 1913, 7.[6]
— 17 Terre Haute Publishing Co., IN. Terre Haute’s Tornado and Flood Disaster… 1913, p. 1
–1 Brown, James, 57; lived on Lockport Road. Terre Haute Publishing Co., 1913, p. 4.
–1 Carter, Moses, 38, cobbler, Third and Voorhees streets. Terre Haute Pub. Co., p. 4.
–1 Carter, wife of Moses. “…found beneath the roof of their own home.” THPC, p. 10.[7]
–1 Carter baby girl. UP. “Score Killed and 1000 Homeless in Terre Haute Gale.” 3-24.[8]
–1 Courtner, Mrs. Body found near the King family fatalities. THPC 1913, p. 14.[9]
–1 Davis, Ida, 27, Prairieton avenue. Terre Haute Pub. Co. “Toll of the Tornado,” p. 4.
–1 Davis, Mrs. Harley, 2706 Thompson Street. THPC. “Toll of the Tornado,” p. 25.[10]
–1 Edwards, Chandes, 8, ~Greenwood sch. Terre Haute Pub. Co. “Toll of the Tornado,” 4.[11]
–1 Griffith, Jessie, 55; died at Union Hospital, March 24. THPC, “Toll of the Tornado,” 4.
–1 Griffith, Mrs. Belle, 40, Gardentown. Terre Haute PC. “Toll of the Tornado,” 4.[12]
–1 Houts, Bryan L. 5; son of Joseph C. Houts. THPC 1913, “Toll of the Tornado,” 4.
–1 Houts, Joseph C., 38, 10½ street and Lockport Avenue. THPC. “Toll…Tornado,” 4.
–1 Kallbreiner, Albert, 35, body found in Root Glass Co’s factory. THPC 1913, p. 4.
–1 King, Mrs. Clara, 19; home, Third and Greenwood streets. “Toll of the Tornado,” 4.
–1 King, Fred (husband of Clara/father of Helen). Died on way to a hospital. THPC. 9.[13]
–1 King, Helen Francis, 1½, daughter of Fred & Clara King. THP Co. 1913, pp. 4 & 16.
–1 Laxton, Otis, 11; died at Union hospital, March 29. Terre Haute Pub. Co. 1913, p. 4.
–1 Matherley, Wm., 75, Gardentown. Terre Haute Pub. Co. “Toll of the Tornado,” p.4.[14]
–1 Moore, Dr. Mahlon [Mohlon] W., 63, at his office at 629 College Avenue.[15]
–1 Myers, John E., 18, waiting for train at station; died at St. Anthony’s hosp., Mar 24.[16]
–1 Rogers, Alexander, 50, janitor, Voorhees school; body found, Third and Voorhees.[17]
–1 Tully, Elizabeth, 54. Terre Haute Pub. Co. Terre Haute’s Tornado. “Toll of the Tornado,” p. 4.
Iowa ( 34)
— 2 Harrison County, Beebeetown, SE of. 17:45 F4. (2 children) Grazulis 1993, p. 737.
— 2 Harrison County, Logan, 17:30, F4.[18] Grazulis 1993, p. 737.
— 3 Mills County, north of Bartlett; 18:15, F4. Grazulis 1993, p. 737.[19]
— 2 Mills County, southeast of Glenwood. 18:15, F4. Grazulis 1993, p. 737.
–5 Logansport Journal-Tribune, IN. “200 Are Killed by Tornado…” 3-25-1913, p. 1.
–17 Pottawattamie County, Council Bluffs, 18:15, F4. Grazulis 1993, p. 737.
–12 Logansport Journal-Tribune, IN. “200 Are Killed by Tornado…” 3-25-1913, p. 1.
— 2 Pottawattamie County, Gilliant. 18:15, F4. Grazulis 1993, p. 737.
— 3 Pottawattamie County, Neola vicinity. 18:15, F4. Grazulis 1993, p. 737.
— 2 Pottawattamie Co., Weston (east of). 18:15, F4. Grazulis 1993, p. 737.
— 1 Shelby County, Harlan vicinity. 18:15, F4. Grazulis 1993, p. 737.
Louisiana (1-2)
–1-2 Bienville Parrish, LA. 19:00, F2 Grazulis 1993, p. 738.[20]
Missouri ( 2)
— 2 Andrew County, Flag Springs (home). 20:30, F4 Grazulis 1993, p. 738.
Nebraska (136)
— 136 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.[21]
Cass County
— 1 Rock Cliffs (on a farm), 18:15 F4. Grazulis 1993, p. 737; NWS WFO Omaha.
Douglas County
— 152 Omaha. Logansport Journal-Tribune, IN. “200 Are Killed…Tornado…” 3-25-1913, 1.[22]
— 103 Omaha. Storm Prediction Center, NOAA. “The 25 Deadliest U.S. Tornadoes.”[23]
— 103 Omaha. Lincoln Journal Star. “12 of the deadliest disasters in Nebraska history.” 6-15-2017.
–>100 Omaha. Sing, Travis. Omaha’s Easter Tornado of 1913. 2003.
— 94 Omaha. 17:45 F4. Grazulis 1993, p. 737.
— 94 Omaha, NE Ludlum. The American Weather Book. 1982, 57.
— 94 “ NWS WFO. Dodge City, KS. Today’s Weather Trivia. Nov 1, 2005.
— 94 “ NWS Milwaukee 2005
— 81 Omaha. National Weather Service. Famous Large Tornado Outbreaks in the U.S.[24]
— 2 Douglas County (but not Omaha) or Washington County, 17:30 F4.[25]
— 7 Douglas County, Ralston. 17:45 F4. Grazulis 1993, p. 737.
Otoe County
— 12 Berlin (now Otoe) and vicinity, 18:15 F4. Grazulis 1993, p. 737; NWS WFO Omaha.
–7 Logansport Journal-Tribune, IN. “200 Are Killed by Tornado…” 3-25-1913, p. 1.
–2 Sallie (Howarth) Lambert and daughter Bertha.[26]
Saunders County
— 20 Saunders County
–17 Yutan, 17:30, F4. Grazulis 1993, p. 737.[27]
–16 Logansport Journal-Tribune, IN. “200 Are Killed by Tornado…” 3-25-1913, 1
— 1 Yutan vicinity, person “just outside town. 17:30 F4. Grazulis 1993, p. 737.
— 2 Yutan vicinity, farms northeast of Yutan. NWS. Top ten killer tornadoes in [NE]…
Narrative Information
NWS: “Eastern Nebraska/Western Iowa (especially Omaha, NE); 8 tornadoes; 181 deaths (94 of these in Omaha); damage $4 million; 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm. (NWS. Famous Large Tornado…, 2005.)
Omaha Nebraska
History.com: “A horrible month for weather-related disasters in the United States culminates with a devastating tornado ripping through Nebraska, near Omaha, on this day in 1913. It was the worst of five twisters that struck that day in Nebraska and Iowa, killing 115 people in total.
“The week prior to this disaster saw all types of calamitous weather strike throughout the country. Blizzards hit the Northeast while hurricane-strength winds were battering Alabama and Georgia. In Florida, a late freeze devastated much of the citrus crop. But the worst weather came in Nebraska on the afternoon of March 23.
“Rain began falling at 5 p.m., southwest of Omaha. Twenty minutes later, the first tornado touched down in Craig, Nebraska. At 5:30, another twister hit the town of Ithaca and began a 70-mile run through the countryside. In Yutan, a woman was reported to have been carried a full quarter-mile in her home before coming down unharmed.
“It was the third tornado that did the most damage. It began near Ashland, 65 miles from Omaha. The people of Omaha believed that due to the location of the city, separated from the flatlands of the Nebraska plains, they were protected from tornadoes. On March 23, this belief was proven to be mistaken. The tornado roared and cut through the city for 12 minutes. Witnesses reported seeing houses explode or collapse in seconds. Seven people at the Idlewild Pool Hall were killed when they were struck by a pool table thrown violently into the air. Fires broke out all over the city, forcing the delivery of electricity to be discontinued. Lanterns were needed to guide rescue workers. Fortunately, the heavy rains put out most of the fires.
“Meanwhile, another twister traveled from Berlin, Nebraska, into Iowa, killing 26 people total in both states. Within two days, heavy snow hit the area, complicating clean-up efforts. Overall, 115 people were killed, hundreds of homes were demolished and millions of dollars in damages were incurred by the tornadoes. The next deadly tornado in Omaha did not strike until 1975.” (History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, March 23, 1913. “Tornadoes Devastate Nebraska.”)
Sing: “On Sunday, March 23, 1913, the burgeoning city of Omaha, Nebraska, fell victim to one of the worst tornado disasters in American history. Downtown was spared, but the fashionable neighborhoods of the city’s western fringe and the ethnic neighborhoods of north Omaha were destroyed. Over 100 lives were lost…” (Sing 2003, back cover.)
“On an unseasonably warm evening, the citizens of Omaha were given reason to believe the wrath of God was bearing down upon them. At approximately 6:00 p.m., a large tornado ripped through the city. This tornado was only one that occurred during an outbreak of severe weather. On that clay, no less than seven tornados formed over eastern Nebraska, and some passed into western Iowa….The Easter tornado first touched clown and ripped through the tiny manufacturing community of Ralston. It soon entered southwest Omaha, cutting a swath of destruction from West Farnam to Bemis Park, and north to the intersection of 24th and Lake Streets. Homes, schools, churches, and businesses were all affected.” (Sing 2003)
Twenty-five men were killed in one location, the Idlewild Pool Hall at 24th and Lake. (Sing 2003, 85.)
“Darkness soon fell and citizens sifted through the rubble by lantern light, while others haphazardly wandered, searching for missing family members. Numerous fires were started by ruptured gas lines, communications were cut off, and looting was taking place. Soldiers from Fort Omaha mobilized to bring order to the blighted areas, and were supplemented by the Omaha Police Department….
“Mayor James C. Dahlman initially refused aid from President Woodrow Wilson. Dahlman replied to Wilson, “We all deeply appreciate your offer of aid, but I believe we can handle the situation.” Once the city fathers realized the storm damage was greater than they originally believed, aid was reluctantly accepted. The Red Cross established relief stations at key areas. An appeal was issued for contributions of money, clothing, and food. Soon after the tornado, a medical contingent arrived from Des Moines, Iowa, and students from Creighton University Medical College did what they could to help the injured…. (Sing 2003.)
“A shipment of 400 military tents was sent to Omaha for temporary housing… (Sing 2003, 73.)
The Survey: “President Wilson’s call to the nation for relief, and the quick action of governors and mayors in rallying their states and cities, started emergency supplies and funds for supplementing the tents, blankets and rations which the army and militia had rushed into the field. The National Cash Register Company, whose undamaged factories in Dayton were of great value in providing shelter and space for relief administration, secured through its officers in other cities supplies and money which were promptly forwarded. The company did much to systematize the local relief, and department heads assumed charge of divisions of the work. Organization charts and diagrams were printed at the factory so that the people of the city could act intelligently. Early this week the relief funds were reported to have reached $408,000 in New York, $300,000 in Chicago, $105,000 in Boston and varying sums in other cities. Most of the money was contributed through the Red Cross. Contributions received at its Washington headquarters totaled $816,000, with New York first, Massachusetts second and Illinois third in size of contributions.
“Emergency supplies and funds have been prompt and abundant, but the extensive work ahead of lifting household and community life out of desolation justifies and requires a very large fund. For, as Mr. Devine [Edward T.], with the San Francisco catastrophe in the background of his experience, telegraphed after reaching Dayton: ‘The disaster is appalling even if the loss of life is less than it was feared’.
“Spontaneous contributions through a variety of channels are usually sufficient for immediate needs, and the Red Cross is following its customary policy of reserving as much of its funds as possible for permanent rehabilitation. When a disaster comes in any part of the country the nearest ‘institutional members’ of the Red Cross at once dispatch trained members of their staffs to the scene. Each organization has an ‘emergency box’ containing, convenient for carrying, an equipment including detailed printed instructions, record cards, Red Cross flag, expense sheets, vouchers, etc. The use of this equipment, especially the uniform record cards, which have been carefully prepared on the basis of the San Francisco experience, means that help is not lost or wasted, but gets to the people who need it most. Even more important, it means that help is given not merely to keep victims of the disaster from starvation and exposure during the weeks immediately following, but to afford a reasonable lift on the road to the recovery of the standard of living maintained before the disaster.” (The Survey, Vol. XXX, No. 1, April 5, 1913, pp. 1-2)
Sources
Bell, Trudy E. “‘Our National Calamity’: The Great Easter 1913 Flood…and its enduring lessons…” Blog-post, 5-1-2015. Accessed 7-11-2017 at: http://nationalcalamityeaster1913flood.blogspot.com/2015/05/terror-in-terre-haute.html
Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993.
Grupp, Alyson. “Berlin Tornado” iagenweb.org. Accessed 7-12-2017 at: http://iagenweb.org/mills/twps/Glenwood/cyclone.htm
History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, March 23, 1913. “Tornadoes Devastate Nebraska.” Accessed 12-6-2008 at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&displayDate=03/23&categoryId=disaster
Journal-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “20 Dead at Terre Haute,” 3-25-1913, p. 4 (continued from p. 1.) Accessed 7-11-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-journal-tribune-mar-25-1913-p-4/
Lincoln Journal Star. “12 of the deadliest disasters in Nebraska history.” 6-15-2017. Accessed 7-3-2017 at: http://journalstar.com/blogs/photofiles/of-the-deadliest-disasters-in-nebraska-history/collection_6ae50d55-7d8a-5b6f-b1c3-b0b54cfe84f0.html#8
Logansport Journal-Tribune, IN. “200 Are Killed by Tornado in Omaha.” 3-25-1913, p. 1. Accessed 7-12-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-journal-tribune-mar-25-1913/
Ludlum, David M. The American Weather Book. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1982.
Storm Prediction Center, NOAA. The 25 Deadliest U.S. Tornadoes. SPC, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accessed 10-12-2008 at: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/killers.html
National Weather Service, Central Region Headquarters, Kansas City, MO/NOAA. Famous Large Tornado Outbreaks in the U.S. “No. 11. Easter Sunday Outbreak.” Accessed 7-10-2017 at: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/Image/mkx/pdf/handouts/famous-u-s-tornado-outbreaks.pdf
National Weather Service Forecast Office, Dodge City, KS. Today’s Weather Trivia (March). NWS, Nov 1, 2005. Accessed at: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ddc/wxtrivia/wxtrvMar.php
National Weather Service, Omaha/Valley, NE, Weather Forecast Office. Top ten killer tornadoes in Nebraska history. “The Tornadoes of Easter 1913.” Accessed 7-12-2017 at: https://www.weather.gov/oax/topten-tornados
Sing, Travis. Omaha’s Easter Tornado of 1913. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishers, 2003.
Storm Prediction Center, NOAA. The 25 Deadliest U.S. Tornadoes. SPC, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accessed 10-12-2008 at: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/killers.html
Terre Haute Publishing Co., IN. Terre Haute’s Tornado and Flood Disaster, March Twenty-Third to March Thirtieth, Nineteen Hundred and Thirteen. 1913, 67 pages. Accessed 7-11-2017 at: http://visions.indstate.edu:8888/cdm/ref/collection/vcpl/id/370
The Survey (Weekly). “Response to Flood Calls,” Vol. XXX, No. 1, April 5, 1913, pp. 1-2. Digitized by Google. Accessed at: http://books.google.com/books?id=gCkKAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA557&lpg=PA557&dq=Binghamton+fire+July+22&source=web&ots=dW6jO-R8lm&sig=6J4p76mKSr4PRw5ejaPcfcOs7l8&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result#PPA1,M1
United Press. “Score Killed and 1000 Homeless in Terre Haute Gale.” Canton Daily News, OH, 3-24-1913, p. 1. Accessed 7-11-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/canton-daily-news-mar-24-1913-p-1/
[1] “Omaha, Neb., March 24 — More than 200 persons were killed and 400 were injured in a wind storm that demolished 450 homes, damaged hundreds of other buildings and caused a monetary loss of $5,000,000 according to reports available up to a late hour tonight from the main path of the tornado in and near Omaha. Most of the casualties were in Omaha…Of the 202 known dead within the area covered by the storm, 152 were residents of Omaha. The remaining dead are scattered over a considerable range of territory, with Council Bluffs reporting 12; Yutan, Neb., 16; Berlin, Neb., 7; Glenwood, IA; 5; Neola, IA., 2 and Bartlett, Ia., 3.”
[2] Highlighted in yellow to denote not used for estimated fatality range. Our tally, based on named individuals, comes to not more than 22, and one or two are possibly problematic; thus we prefer to use our tally for Indiana.
[3] The 22nd victim is highlighted below — the Carter family baby girl — identified in news article as dead, but not in the Terre Haute Publishing Company booklet on the tornado.
[4] “The Crawfordsville Journal [IN] reported ‘one or more’ people killed in Prairieton.” (Bell. “National Calamity.”) We highlight in yellow to denote that we do not include in our tally in that Prairieton was a suburb of Terre Haute, and several Prairieton and Prairieton road deaths are noted in the Terre Haute Publishing Company booklet.
[5] This is a tally of all the named fatalities in the booklet, though 17 are listed as deaths on p. 4, and 20 deaths are referred to on page 7. If one adds the names of Mrs. Moses Carter, Mrs. Courtner, Mrs. Harley Davis, and Fred King to the list of names on page 4, one derives 21.
[6] We do not know why p. 7 notes 20 deaths and p. 1 notes 17. Seventeen names are noted on page 4; perhaps names of three were not known (?). Written on page 7: “With twenty persons dead, more than 150 injured, some of them so badly that little hope is held out for their recovery; with a trail of shattered homes fully for blocks wide, from the Wabash river, just above Prairieton, northeast to the open fields east of Twenty-fifth street…Terre Haute only late Monday fully realized the extent of the disastrous tornado which swept over this city as Easter was waning.” It could also be the case, of course, that twenty were originally thought dead, but incorrectly as it later turned out.
[7] Mrs. Carter was not among the named victims on page 4. The Terre Haute Publishing Co., booklet notes: “Firemen and police officers, braving the danger of live wires…rescued the bodies of Moses Carter and wife, who lived immediately south of Voorhees street and the intersection of Third street. Their bodies were found beneath the roof of their own home. The mangled body of their small child was found fifteen feet away under a pile of bed clothes. The child was given medical attention at the Greenwood school building and later moved to St. Anthony’s hospital.” [The fate of the baby is not noted, though a newspaper article has the baby among its list of fatalities.] The death of Mrs. Carter is the 19th named tornado fatality.
[8] “Moses Carter and Mrs. Carter and their baby girl were among the first dead taken out of the debris.” This United Press article was printed in the Canton [OH] Daily News, 3-24-1913, p. 1.
[9] Written that “The same ambulance [that carried away “the body of Mrs. Fred King and her baby…”] carried away the body of Mrs. Courtner, found near the same place.” Certainly the impression given is that Mrs. Courtner was dead. If so, this is the 20th named fatality in the Terre Haute Publishing Co., booklet on the tornado. Her name is not among the listing of fatalities on page 4.
[10] Mrs. Harley Davis is not one of the names of identified fatalities on page 4 — an Ida Davis is, though her address is on Prairieton Ave., not Thompson Street. If accurate, hers would make for the 21st named fatality.
[11] Noted as son of Pickney Edwards, druggist, living at Second and Greenwood streets, at page 30. On this page the name of the boy is spelled “Chandis.”
[12] The name of “Belle” is from page 22. We presume she was the wife of Jesse Griffiths. On page 25 it is written that: “Jesse Griffiths, 55 years old, whose wife was killed outright, died at 8 o’clock Monday night at the Union hospital. The Griffiths lived in Gardentown.”
[13] “Mr. and Mrs. Fred King and their child were caught under their home, when it fell in upon them. Mrs. King and the baby were killed outright and the husband died on the way to the hospital.” (p. 9). This death is not one of the 17 listed on page 4, thus it makes the 18th identified death noted up through page 9. At p. 10 husband is named Frank. At page 16, however, it is written, in reference to funeral arrangements being made for Mrs. Clara King and her small child, that “The husband was in the hospital so seriously wounded the physicians had not told him of the double loss.” Further along on page 16 it is written that “At the home of the Kings, where wife, father and daughter were killed, great damage was wrought. Mr. King was found buried under a pile of debris. The bodies of Mrs. King and the baby were found fifty feet away from the house, having been thrown up against a telephone pole.” The Journal-Tribune of Logansport, IN, on March 25, lists Fred King amongst those “Fatally Injured” (with internal injuries). “20 Dead at Terre Haute” (page 4, continued from page 1.)
[14] At page 22, states that William Matherly of Gardentown was 80.
[15] Bell, Trudy E. “‘Our National Calamity’: The Great Easter 1913 Flood…and its enduring lessons…” 5-1-2015. The “Mohlon” spelling is from Terre Haute Publishing Co. Terre Haute’s Tornado. “Toll of the Tornado,” p. 4.
[16] Terre Haute Pub. Co. Terre Haute’s Tornado. “Toll of the Tornado,” p. 4. At page 27 last name is spelled Meyers.
[17] Terre Haute Publishing Co. Terre Haute’s Tornado. “Toll of the Tornado,” p. 4. At p. 10, though, it is written “Alexander (‘Dad’) Rogers, superintendent of the United Brethren Sunday school, was buried beneath the walls of his home. He died while being carried to the school house.”
[18] “Two people died west of Logan, Iowa.”
[19] Also NWS/NOAA, WFO, Omaha, NE.
[20] In addition to the definite tornado fatality, “Another death, in Bossier Parish may have been tornado-related.”
[21] Rock Cliffs, Cass Co., 1; Omaha, 94; Doulas to Washington County 17:30 tornado, 2; Ralston, Douglas County, 7; Berlin, Otoe County, 12; Yutan, Saunders Co., 17; Yutan vicinity, 3.
[22] Not used in tally. First day reporting in media; not substantiated by Grazulis or NWS/NOAA.
[23] I believe this to be a tally of Omaha/94, Douglas/Washington Counties/2, and Ralston/7, for a total of 103.
[24] Not using in that other NWS components cited, as well as Grazulis and Ludlum note 94 Omaha fatalities.
[25] Grazulis writes that the 17:30 F4, Saunders/Douglas/Washington, NE/Harrison, IA tornado, after hitting Yutan, moved northeast killing two. Northeast of Yutan puts the tornado going through both Douglas and Washington counties. Unsure which county to attribute these two deaths.
[26] Grupp, Alyson. “Berlin Tornado” iagenweb.org.
[27] “The funnel rapidly intensified, passed through, and destroyed the northern half of Yutan, killing 17 people, about half of which were children.”