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A Tornabo AT WATERTOWN, SouTH Dakota, JUNE 
1914. 
J. GLADDEN HUTTON. 
A tornado occurred at Watertown, South Dakota, late in the afternoon 
of June 23, 1914. A large number of dwelling houses and barns were de- 
stroyed, telephone and telegraph poles were razed and many gardens 
ruined. More than a score of people were more or less seriously injured 
and a number of others were slightly hurt by flying debris. No-one was 
killed outright, though one child was reported to have died of its injuries. 
The writer was passing through the city on June 25th and spent the 
day collecting data relative to the storm. Had more time been available, 
further information could have been secured. However, it seems worth 
while to give a brief report of the tornado, notwithstanding the fact that 
the data are incomplete. 
The Watertown Daily Public Opinion issued June 24th said: ‘‘People 
watched the approach of what looked like an ordinary thunder storm 
following a hot day* yesterday afternoon. Wind clouds formed about 
6:30 o'clock and gradually developed into a heavy line to the north. The 
first indication of the formation of a cyclone was noticed in the continuous 
change of the light wind. Those watching next turned their attention to 
clouds forming fast in the northwest, and as a twister was developing 
the approach of the cyclone which went through the city was noticed. 
“The path of the storm embraced an area about three blocks wide 
the entire length of the city east and west. The worst section in the south 
part of town was in the three blocks north and east of the corner of 
Seventh avenue and Maple street S. From there the cyclone took a course 
east and a little northerly sweeping everything in its path and wrecking 
homes and barns between Third and Fourth avenues and Fifth and Sixth 
streets almost entirely. It continued across Seventh, Highth, Ninth and 
Tenth streets E. and between Ninth and Tenth streets reached as far 
*Mr. R. Q. Wood cooperative observer at Watertown reported the maximum temperature for 
June 23. 1914, as 83° and the minimum temperature 54°. 
