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A Tornado at Watertown, South Dakota, June 23, 



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, Eighth, 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°. 



