19 Dec 1957
Page 1
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Newspaper
Southern Illinoisan
Location
Carbondale, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Dec 19, 1957
Page
1
A Wednesday tornado outbreak across Southern Illinois killed nine people in Murphysboro and caused extensive damage in Carbondale Gorham and Sunfield. Officials reported about 200 injuries, 16 missing, and property losses exceeding a million dollars as救 Rescue crews, National Guards, and Red Cross aided the stranded and homeless.
A tornado struck Mt. Vernon at about 4 35 p m injuring roughly 50 people and damaging 75 to 100 homes along with eight of Boyd townships buildings. The disaster damaged two rural schools and halted power across the city as fire and medical crews aided by neighboring towns fought fires and treated the injured.
The report lists yesterday’s low 55 and high 63 with today’s 37 morning and 50 noon. Precipitation totals 0.58 inches from yesterday morning to today 7 am. Sunrise 7 19 and sunset 4 35. Crab Orchard Lake and Little Grassy Lake levels rise above spillways by 2 and 4 inches respectively.
The Southern Illinoisan lists disaster coverage across pages with tornado damage photos on page 24 and eyewitness reports on page 3. It also notes national news on page 22 and a Willisville school Christmas page ant practice feature alongside a map of the twister area.
George Butcher of Murphysboro mourns as his wife and three children die in the twister. Daughter Glenna is hospitalized in serious condition while son Leroy, 9, and the couple's other son survive. The wreckage scatters the home about 100 yards from its foundation and reveals a family photograph album amid salvaged items.
A Retail Interest Committee spokesman said efforts are aimed at reopening stores this afternoon, contingent on electricity. Several groceries operated under emergency power while schools remained closed due to lack of heat from gas or electric stokers.
Jackson County Health Officer Dr. R F Sondag issued a precautionary boil water order for Murphysboro after windows at the filtration plant were broken. Preliminary tests show no danger to the water supply, but boiling is advised as a precaution.
The rural area of Jackson County suffered property damage estimated over $100,000 in Wednesday’s storm, with losses reported across homes and outbuildings. Local authorities surveyed affected regions for insurance and relief assessments.
Power cut across Murphysboro after a Wednesday tornado damaged the Illinois Electric and Gas Co plant on E Walnut Street. Six main feeder lines were damaged and full service restoration eyed for Friday night. Water pumping halted by outages. emergency pumping resumed around midnight with local lines limited to emergency use. Local telecom kept service, standby power took over, and partial service may resume tonight in some areas. Resources were strained. gas distribution remained unaffected.
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