Beecher Tornado of 1953: June 23-September Articles

Most Of Funds Spent For Clearance Work

Genesee County Board of Supervisors yesterday accepted a report from Chairman M. Bushnell Trembley on county expenditures amounting to $74,434 already incurred by the county in the Beecher area.

Most of the costs derived from street clearance work in the area, Trembley said, including $15,000 attributed to clearing health and safety hazards. All of the work, he said, was done on public right of ways.

Rex Pemberton county road department engineer, told the supervisors that the department expects to finish its work in the area by Thursday.

June 23, 1953

Board Of Health Action Clears Way For U. S. Cleanup Aid

The Genesee county Board of Health yesterday passed a resolution declaring the tornado area of the Beecher Metropolitan District a hazard to public health and safety. The action was endorsed by a later meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

Designation of the stricken site as a public health hazard is expected to clear the way for Federal aid on work the county contemplates performing on private property in the area.

Federal funds are not available for work done on private property unless it is done to relieve a public health or safety hazard. It will not exceed more than 60 per cent of such work in any circumstances.

In its resolution, the Board, which consists of the Health and TB Sanitorium committee of the Supervisors, asked the state for aid amounting to $350,000. It authorized County Controller Joseph Galliver to pay costs up to that estimate from the general fund pending reimbursement by the federal government through the state.

The money will be spent for clearing debris, filling empty basements and excavations and removing trees from all devastated properties. All property will be cleared except where owners make special request that the contractors do not clear their lands.

The work will be contracted out to private firms through a special Disaster committee appointed yesterday by the Supervisors.

The committee is composed of Harry G Voorhies, chairman of the Ways and Means committee; Robert G. Stoddard, Road committee chairman; Dr. Nicholas DelZingro, Health committee chairman, and Robert J.O’Too1e, Ralph G. Johnson, and Loyal Scothan, -supervisors from Mt. Morris, Genesee and Richfield townships.

The six-man group will handle all future county disaster work in the tornado area.

June 23, 1953

By Bob Ingersoll

The Red Cross setup, from the charter by which it operates to the manner in which it carries out its vested.authority, was covered yesterday by Ray Schlotterbeck, field service director for the Mid-Western area office of the American Red Cross.

Speaking before the regular noonday luncheon of the Civitan club at Hotel Durant, Schlotterbeck told the group that the people of America are the Red Cross, and the organization merely carries out the wishes of the people in aiding a disaster struck area.

“Since 1905, when the Red Cross was incorporated under Public Law 5, the organization has contributed. help in more than 4,800 major disasters,” he said.

“Naturally during that time,” he continued, “we have discovered the best and most efficient means of carrying out the people’s desires in bringing aid to the victims.”

Schlotterbeck recounted the work of the Red Cross immediately following the tornado which cut a savage swath in the Beecher area on June 8, killing 115 and injuring hundreds.

He cited the work of the Gray Ladies in the hospitals here immediately following the tornado, mobilization of the local chapter, to assist in rescue operations in at the stricken area, others carrying on an inquiry check at the chapter house to inform the general public of those injured or killed, setting up of the canteen corps to supply food and clothing to the victims and workers, and the housing committee’s efforts to secure shelter for the homeless.

“But the Red Cross work does not end when the emergency period is over,” he said. “Rehabilitation for the storm’s victims is a large part of our work.

“Assistance, in resources sometimes only in advice is offered by the Red Cross to help the victims plan for the future,” he continued. He stressed the point that the Red Cross funds are always a gift and never a loan, and that the people receiving this help assume no obligations of repayment.

While emergency operations are conducted on a mass basis, individual conferences are used in providing funds for rehabilitation from interviews with the victims to meetings with the local advisory board.

“Each family plan arrived at by the victims and Red Cross case workers is brought before the advisory board for final discussion,” he said. “Rehabilitation is based on need not loss,” he stressed.

June 23, 1953

Special Program Set For Saturday Night

The Flint Fraternal Order of Eagles will sponsor a tornado disaster benefit program from 9 p. m. to 2 a. m. Saturday at the Eagles Hall, it was announced yesterday by Al W. Anderson, secretary.

All proceeds will go to aid victims of the recent disaster here. The program is open to Eagles and their friends.

Included will be dancing, special stage and musical entertainment and refreshments.

Future In Doubt
One room, ranch-type” schools for the Pierson district have made the headlines, but may not make the grade. Overcrowding in the area may be handled at Martin and Merrill schools, leaving the one-roomers for Zimmerman and Longfellow areas where no other school can take care overflow.

New Beecher Hazard
Floods of sightseers deluging the Beecher District tornado area have added a new discomfort to the sufferings of storm victims. The heavy traffic along dirt strewn streets keeps sending billows of heavy dust to torture breathing of survivors and workers and damage some salvagable materials. Traffic is so heavy the county road department cannot a dust laying chloride application.

Helmets Needed
Desperately needed here are 6,000 helmets stored in Flint attics, basements and garages by persons who served as air raid wardens during World War II.

Len R. Hungerford, chief air raid warden, asked that all helmets be turned in at local fire stations or at the Air Raid Warden headquarters,1034 N. Saginaw.

He added that present wardens need not return their helmets.

Hot Weather Note
‘Beating the heat” for a three-week vacation is Dr. John W. English, director of research and statistics for the schools. He’ll resort – of all places – in Florida, where he’ll also attend the annual convention of the National association.

New Store Hours
Most Flint retail stores, following a recommendation of the Chamber of Commerce, will begin a special schedule of Summer hours on July 6 that will result in closing a half hour earlier in the afternoons.

The new hours will be from 9:30 a. m. to 5 p. m., with Monday Friday evening hours optional. through. Sept. 8. Present hours are from 9:30 a. m. to 5 :30 p. m.

Signs Of Progress
Dazzling in the Summer sun is a bright new fence along Mason street for the Cook school playground. More progress on the modernization program for the schools.

Early Risers
Those stunned faces at the Board of Education business offices were brought on by yesterday’s shift to Summer hours. The business staff now arrives at an early, early 7 a. m., in order to toddle on home by 4.

June 23, 1953

Interim Plan Is Underway

Steel Union Sends $10,000 For Disaster Relief Fund

Representatives of the Council of Social Agencies met yesterday to establish an interim program for interviewing tornado victims who will benefit from the more than $500,000 now in the Red Feather Disaster fund.

The fund got two big boosts yesterday, one from the International Union of United Steelworkers in Pittsburgh, and the other from the MacDonald Co-operative Dairy of Flint, Chesaning and St. Louis, Mich.

David J. McDonald, steelworkers’ union president, and Thomas Shane, district 123 director, contributed $10,000 to the Red Feather fund, bringing the total cash on hand to $171,041.40. The UAW-CIO has pledged an additional $50,000.

A contribution of $1,822.87 from employees of the Mac Donald dairy was announced yesterday by Gar Wagner, assistant to the general manager.

Wagner said that the employes’ donations will be matched by a like amount in goods an cash from the company. He explained that services rendered to tornado victims already totaled $1,022.

‘We supplied milk, cream and ice cream to the victims at Haskell and Berston community centers,” he explained, “as well as to workers in toe area.”

“In addition, all bills for residents of the tornado area have been marked paid by the company.”

The dairy will add $800 cash to its contributed services to match the donation of its employes, Wagner said.

At yesterday’s Council of Social Agencies meeting, a committee was appointed to study the problem of interviewing applicants for Red Feather and prior to distribution of the disaster funds.

David McDonald, local UAW-CIO administrative assistant, is chairman of the committee, which includes Rev. Fr. Earl V. Sheridan, Catholic Social services; Major Russell Crowell, Salvation Army; Gilbert Clark, Flint Federation of Labor; Judge William F. Doran, Probate Court; Frank W. Manley, Mott foundation; Mrs. Emily Woodward, County Bureau of Social Aid; and Miss Virginia Woodman, Family Service agency.

E. Paul Lynch, Community

June 23, 1953

The all-star boxing show to be held at the 1.’ M, A. auditorium next Monday night, began to take shape Monday as Detroit promoter Julius Piazza, acting as’ matchmaker for the Flint Boxing club, announced his first pairings

Piazza informed Mayor Donald Reigle and the state boxing commissioner, F1oyd Stevens, co-chairman of the committee which is conducting the program to aid victims of the recent tornado here, that he has signed Al Andrews, Superior, Wis., middleweight to meet Eddie Simms, Chicago puncher, in one of the four-round feature bouts. Andrews recently defeated Pat Lowry, of Toledo, for the second time in a bout in Saginaw which set a new Saginaw Valley record for fight gate receipts.

Simms kayoed Tommy Leedle while the latter was staging a comeback from two knockouts at the hands of Lowry in fights that drew capacity crowds in Detroit. It ended the popular Detroiter’s career.

Piazza now is seeking opponents for Rocky Casilio, the “Blue Island Express,” and King Solomon, Chicago’s Jewish middleweight, who are donating their a services through the courtesy of their manager, Jack Begun.

June 23, 1953

There will be no complimentary tickets for next Monday night’s boxing show at the IMA for Flint’s tornado victims, but 96 people will sit in for free, nonetheless. That many press row seats have been purchased at $3 each by Julius Piazza, of Detroit, who is matchmaking the show, and Bob Kerner, president of the Flint Boxing club. Each wrote a check for $144, picking upn48 tickets each, although both are bustling to make the affair a successful one.

June 23, 1953

Proceeds From Canceled Event Will Go To Disaster Victims

A check for $700, representing donations of Temple Beth El and friends will be turned over to the Red Feather disaster relief fund this morning, officials announced last night. The money will be presented to James R. Burroughs, secretary of the fund.

The money was to have been used for a farewell banquet for Rabbi Morton M. Applebaum, the temple’s spiritual leader who has resigned to accept a like position with Temple Beth Israel at Akron, O.

The tribute, which was to have been held the day after the tornado disaster, was called off at the rabbi’s request. Funds which would have been used for the event, less expenses, will be included in the $700 gift – which will be presented by the temple to in the name of Rabbi Applebaum.

Mrs. S. S. Pearlstine and Mrs. Ben Schlagel, of the farewell banquet arrangements committee, spearheaded the move to convert proceeds to the disaster fund.

June 23, 1953

Turn Over Clothing For Disaster Victims To Red Cross Office

The Flint Old Newsboys will turn over to the Genesee county Red Cross chapter all clothing donated to it for rehabilitation of disaster-stricken families, it was announced yesterday by Secretary Ray Phipps.

Newsboys have furnished clothing for 874 persons in the Beecher area, including 535 children.

Two changes of underwear for children, as well as clothing, bedding, and shoes were paid for from Old Newsboys funds. This was in addition to all types of clothing which was donated by a generous public. Phipps said that his office has now “outlived its usefulness to the needy,” and that further donations can be made directly to the Red Cross.

Other services to the tornado-hit families may be obtained at the Salvation Army barracks located in Beecher School.

June 23, 1953

Proceeds From Canceled Event Will Go To Disaster Victims

A check for $700, representing donations of Temple Beth El and friends will be turned over to the Red Feather disaster relief fund this morning, officials announced last night. The money will be presented to James R. Burroughs, secretary of the fund.

The money was to have been used for a farewell banquet for Rabbi Morton M. Applebaum, the temple’s spiritual leader who has resigned to accept a like position with Temple Beth Israel at Akron, O.

The tribute, which was to have been held the day after the tornado disaster, was called off at the rabbi’s request. Funds which would have been used for the event, less expenses, will be included in the $700 gift – which will be presented by the temple to in the name of Rabbi Applebaum.

Mrs. S. S. Pearlstine and Mrs. Ben Schlagel, of the farewell banquet arrangements committee, spearheaded the move to convert proceeds to the disaster fund.

June 26, 1953

4 8-Rounders Feature Card

Andrews And Simms Top It – Two To Fight For Free

FLINT folk get an opportunity to sit in on their first professional boxing show in months, and at the same time lend a helping hand to the tornado relief fund, come next Monday night. A five-bout card with a possible total of 36 rounds of action, will be presented at the IMA auditorium.

Co-sponsored by the Flint Boxing club and the Genesee County Table Toppers, net receipts will be turned over for use among tornado victims. Two of the 10 boxers will throw punches for free, the others will work under reduced charges, there will be no free tickets, the sponsors and Matchmaker Julius Piazza, of Detroit, will accept no remuneration for their efforts.

While Piazza announces that “all four eight-round bouts are worthy of top posting,” the real headliner of course, will be supplied by Al Andrews, the Superior, Wis., middleweight, and Eddie Simms, the Chicago puncher. Andrews has twice beaten Pat Lowery, in TV contests, while Simms is rated as a coming youngster of real promise.

They’ll face rugged competition for fan favor, however, in another eight which pits King Solomon, the Jewish middleweight from Chicago, and Lou Barry, of Detroit. Solomon has been the No. 1 gate attraction at Rainbow Gardens in his home city and will be making his first appearance in Michigan.

A third eight pairs Rocky Casille known as the “Blue Island Express,” and James J. Cox the seasoned Levelland, Tex., welterweight. Casille a hard puncher has scored 19 victories In 21 starts. Cox should test him to the limit, having fought Billy Graham, the New York welterweight title contender, Johnny ‘Red’ DeFazio and Ted ‘Tiger’ Weems among.others.

A rematch of young heavies will supply the fourth eight-rounder It brings together Toxie Hall, of Chicago, and George Powell, of Detroit. This will be the pair’s fourth get together. The last one, staged at Motor City Arena in Detroit and nationally televised, brought mail from various parts of the country calling it one of the best heavyweight scraps of the year.

The show opening with a four-rounder will start at 9 o’clock so as not to conflict with Monday night shopping hours.

The two boxers who fight for nothing are Casille and Solomon. The two are managed by Jack Begun, and he has notified Bob Kerner, president of the Flint Boxing, that “I will absorb the expenses of the two boys and myself as an offering to Flint’s relief fund.”

Picture caption
BOXES HERE – Al Andrews, above, popular Superior, Wis., middleweight, will be in Flint next Monday to participate in the tornado relief fund show at the IMA auditorium. He will tangle with Eddie Simms, of Chicago, in one of four eight-round scraps. Heading a show in Saginaw last week, Andrews attracted more than 5,000 fans, most of whom had watched him in televised contests.

June 23, 1953

Lieut. Col. L. Z. Reigle, commander of the National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment here, will address the Optimist club at its weekly luncheon meeting this noon at Hotel Durant.

Colonel Reigle, who was in charge of all Guard units mobilized for emergency duty in this area after the recent disaster, will discuss tornado experiences.

June 23, 1953

Students, teachers, secretaries, janitors – everyone connected with the Flint Public schools – – came up with $8,631.08 for tornado relief.

Miss Emily Kickhafer, director of the school fund, said $2,500 of that amount had been distributed privately, much of it going to wrecked Beecher High school.

Also helped through the school fund were families of students and Board of Education employees hit by the twister. The rest of the money will be given to the Red Feather Disaster fund, Miss Kickhafer said.

June 26, 1953 

Disaster relief funds here hit nearly $600,000 yesterday, as the Red Feather reported it had passed the $550,000 mark, and $38,548 in unsolicited funds had been contributed to the Red Cross.

James R. Burroughs, Red Feather fund treasurer, said the figure included $16,000 from UAW-CIO locals to apply on their pledge of $50,000.

Largest donations to the Red Cross came from other branches and chapters of the organization, according to Charles C. Goodwin, local executive secretary, including $5,100 from the Bay County chapter.

June 26, 1953

The David M. Clifford family, formerly of West formerly of West Coldwater road, one of the many victims of the savage tornado that swept through the Beecher area June 8, are receiving a helping hand on the long road back to recovery through the efforts of Burton township residents.

The Clifford family previously resided in Burton township before moving into the ill-fated Beecher area. When the tornado had passed, their home was gone and three-year old son David Jr. was dead.

A veteran of World War II, Clifford had been a member of Clark-Durocher American Legion Post 456 before moving to the West Coldwater address. When the post and auxiliary heard of their plight, they decided to do their bit in aiding David, his wife, Dorothy, and son, Stephen.

Through public solicitations, the post and auxiliary raised more than $300 and added $234 from their welfare fund accumulated in their annual sale of poppies, Oakley-Traynor Post 64 auxiliary unit added $10 more. This Sunday a potluck picnic will be held at the post’s grounds on S. Belsay road between Lippincott and Atherton roads. The only price to attend is a useful household utensil for the Clifford family’s future home.

June 26, 1953

Cash to Top $1,200; Students Pledge 150 Pints of Blood

Fraternity men and Independents alike pitched in 100 per cent to assist tornado relief efforts at General Motors institute.

William V. Sines or the GMI public relations staff estimated that 2,500 man-hours of service were performed by the nine fraternity groups alone.

“They opened their houses to victims” he said, “and worked at first aid stations, drove ambulances, set up beds, searched for injured, acted as traffic officers, operated public address systems, maintained motor equipment in the disaster area, manned ham radio stations and donated blood.”

Sines added that students who returned last week from work months have pledged 150 pints of blood in a program sponsored by the student association, GMTE, the Inter-Fraternity council, the Independent association and a Dealer Students committee.

Contributions in cash for tornado relief are expected to exceed $1,200, he said.

June 26, 1953

Will Be First U.S. Disaster To Get Such Intensive Research

EAST LANSING, June 25 – A scientific study of the human element in the tornado which struck Flint, Mich., June 8 has been undertaken by two public service agencies of Michigan State College.

The tornado, which took more than 100 lives and injured 500 others, will be the greatest single disaster in America which has ever been subjected to such intensive research, assording to R. L. Gorden, special consultant from the Disaster Study Project of the National Opinion Research Center.

The study will have two objectives, according to Dr. Charles P. Loomis, director of the Social Research Service at M. S. C. He said these are “the advancement of scientific knowledge about human behavior under catastrophic conditions, and reconstruction of an accurate picture of the work of people and organizations in alleviating the tornado’s effects.”

The study will be conducted by the Social Research Service under sponsorship of the M. S. C. Continuing Education Service, of which Dr. Edgar Harden is director. The research findings will be made available to the many directly concerned groups which make use of the on-campus training programs of the Continuing Education Service.

The American Red Cross, the Michigan State police, the National Civil Defense administration, the Salvation Army and others have recognized the need, for the survey and have requested the study’s findings, Dr. Loomis said.

June 26, 1953

Will Replace Tornado Damaged Items At Discount

Tornado victims who lost home appliances have received a generous offer from Willis W. Silkworth, president of the Silkworth Distributing company.

In a letter to E. T. Ragsdale, Chamber of Commerce president; E. J. Penny, C of C secretary, and Charles C. Goodwin, Red Cross secretary, Silkworth offered to replace appliances originally distributed by the firm, at half their list price, plus taxes.

The offer covers Gibson refrigerators, ranges and Dexter Washers and dryers, Lewyt vacuum cleaners, White water heaters and CBS-Columbia television sets.

“All that would be required would be for the person to call at the dealer’s from whom he made the original purchase,” Silkworth wrote.

He added that the firm wished to make its contribution to disaster relief in this way.

June 26, 1953

Youngsters Raise $26 With Revue

Stage-struck for a good cause, 14 budding young starlets raised $26 Wednesday for the Red Feather disaster fund.

The youngsters, all residents of the Menominee street neighborhood, presented a talent revue, including dancing, singing and baton twirling, for the benefit of tornado victims.

Yesterday, Jane Remender, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Remender, 3304 Menominee. and Barbara Berry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Berry, 3321 Menominee, presented the proceeds to the Red Feather fund.

Jane was master of ceremonies for the show, which was held at the Berry home. The other girls participating in the revue were: Francis Berry, Susan Kvasnick, Sharon Gray, Marsha, Joanne, Susan and Rosemary McLone, Lorraine Lahti, Nancy Boruchi, Elaine Cherneski, Dorothy Polakiewicz and Judy Clute.

Admission was five cents for those under eight years old, and 10 cents for all others. A collection for the tornado fund swelled the total.

June 26, 1953

Ex-Policemen Face Municipal Court Trial July 16

Municipal court hearing for three former Detroit policemen, accused of looting tornado-stricken homes in the Beecher district, was adjourned yesterday to July 16. Technically, they are charged with entering without breaking with intent to commit a felony.

The three are Paul K. Brubak, 26, Robert J. Friend, 25, and Julian. A. Wilson, 27. They had not been assigned with other Detroit officers to work in the disaster area.

Off duty at midnight, June 8, they came here, they said at the time of their arrest, to view the damage. Enroute, they drank some beer.

Flint Patrolman Jesse Kinnamon that he saw the men drinking some beer in one of the Beecher homes. He told Sgt. Carl Kamhout, State Police, who investigated further and who related on the stand that he took five T-shirts and a dress shirt from the officers’ jacket.

Total May Be About $4,500

Andrews Is Winner Over Simms; 2,884 Fans Turn Out

FLINT’S first boxing show in months, a charity affair at the IMA auditorium, will add something like $4,000 to $4,500 to the tornado disaster fund, according to officials of the Flint Boxing club and the Genesee County Tabletoppers, co-sponsors of last night’s event.

Exact figures will not be available for a day or so, it was said, due to a final checkup on expenses and reports on ticket sales.

The fight card attracted a paid crowd of 2,884 persons, who contributed a total of $6,441,

Of this figure, the federal tax of $1,230.00 was waived and officials last night were waiting for a ruling from Attorney General Frank Millard on whether a state tax of $615.30 can also be waived.

An additional check of more than $400 was presented from proceeds of a wrestling show in Detroit earlier this week.

In the main bout, Al Andrews of Superior, Wis., defeated Eddie Simms, of Chicago, in eight rounds. Andrews weighed 157 ½, Simms 161 ½ . Results of other bouts:
King Solomon, Chicago, defeated Lew Berry, 160, Detroit; in eight; Ray Edwards, 145, Detroit, out-pointed George Carpenter, 155, Detroit; and Gus Rubicini, 159, Toronto, won the nod over Billy Simms, 160, Detroit

Rocky Cassilo, 147, Chicago, kayoed Jimmy Cox. 144, Levelland, Tex., in the fourth round.

June 26, 1953

International Group Will Use Proceeds For Tornado Relief

Tornado Relief” will be the street dance and ice-cream social theme when the International Institute sponsors the two outings from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday. All proceeds will be used for the relief of tornado victims.

Liberty street between First and Second streets will be closed off for dancing. All interested persons are welcome to attend. Admission to the dance is a donation for the benefit fund.

The Institute Council of Nations is in charge of arrangements, under the direction of Mrs. Frank Sophiea, chairman

Helpers are Mrs. Jacob Youhannen, Mr. and Mrs. George Varga, Mr. And Mrs. Robert Walder, Dr. and Mrs. Louis Van der Gronden, Mrs. Clayton Timlick, Mrs. W. H. Head, Mrs. Andrew Puscas. Mrs. James Bejcek, Hans Hansen, Mrs. Nikola Penchev, Mrs. John King and Mrs. Clifford Walmsley. The orchestra will be under the direction of Louis Tanner.

In case of rain the dance will be held in the House of Nations of the institute.

August 11, 1953

National Headquarters To Handle Financial Aid To Storm Victims:

The disbursing office maintained here by American Red Cross for victims of the June 8 tornado was closed Saturday, E. Davison Potter, Genesee Red Cross chapter chairman announced.

All future disbursements win be made from the national headquarters. Local merchants have been advised of this, Potter said.

Some orders that were issued by the Red Cross have riot been completed as yet, for logical reasons, but all special disaster personnel sent from national Red Cross headquarters has departed, Potter explained
.
Total commitments of the Red Cross for the disaster area in this county to date total $491,479. Medical commitments are surveyed every three months until closed. Potter said.

Potter gave this breakdown of the total figure. Emergency care in providing food, clothing, and bedding immediately after the disaster amounted to $15,763. Food, clothing and rents took $68,027.86.
.
Building and repairs, including, materials and labor when necessary, accounted for $110.374, while furniture, fixtures and appliances cost $101,921.

Hospitalization and nursing to date have cost $89,187, and $6,205 has been expended for occupational training and tools.

August 18, 1953

Will Canvass Area To Identify Homes For Tornado Day

Pre-construction steps to aid the 5,000 volunteer workers expected Aug. 29 and 30 in the Beecher tornado area were suggested Wednesday night during the regular monthly meeting of the Flint Association of Home Builuders at Hotel Durant.

M. F. Borgman, superintendent of colonial Homes and recently appointed chairman of the Home Construction Tornado Advisory committee by Mayor Donald W. Riegle advanced several ideas to facilitate the two-day building program.

Borgman said a big help would be identification of the wrecked homes by the owners. He asked that each lot in the area be identified by house numbers, street, owner’s name and where they or survivors can be reached by phone. Borgman said the information would hasten the pre-building canvass greatly.

The object of the building program is to provide volunteer labor for any construction needed by the tornado victims. Although rebuilding of 100 homes is impossible during the two days, Borgman said, as much building as possible will be attempted.

Labor and advice only will be offered. The tornado families are to provide materials and plans for the proposed building.

Supervision of the volunteer workers will be provided by the AFL Flint Building Trades council.

For information regarding labor and to register for work, volunteers should call the Building Trades council at 9-3301, the City Manager at 9-8638 or Borgman at 8-1112.

Good Luck, Tom

With mingled emotions the News-Advertiser greets the appointment of City Hall reporter Tom Kay to the post of administrative assistant to City Manager Herm Young.

Tom joined the N.A staff in 1948, fresh from Michigan State college and the Marines. He was a bit more carefree in those days, a bit more inclined to “have one with the boys” and all that.

Now 28 years old, a faithful husband and a doting father, he is embarking on a new – though not unfamiliar – path. We hope he keeps as sharp an eye on the City Commission for Herm as he always did for us.

We’ll certainly be watching him more closely than before.

Needs A Ladder

A cornstalk 10 feet four inches tall is growing in the garden of Aide Rondeau, 3717 Beecher. The corn is known as Aunt Mary’s sweet corn variety and this is the second year for the crop. Rondeau reports that in his two rows of corn the stalks have an average height of more than nine feet.

Off-Year Plans

Democratic County Chairman James P, Barkey and State Central Committeeman George Stevens will attend the special Dem organizational meeting called by National Chairman Stephen A. Mitchell for Sept. 14 and 15 in Chicago. Barkey says he expects new rules governing future national conventions to develop from the conferences.

Willing And Able

When an oldster of 78 years signs up to work as a helper at the Tornado Building Bee this Saturday and Sunday, it puts a large host of middle-aged youngsters to shame. Even more surprising is the fact that the oldster is a multi-millionaire, well known for his philanthropies. The man is none other than Charles Stewart Mott, known to many as “Mr. Flint.” He filled out a card at yesterday’s Civitan club luncheon.

Pumpkins In August

The Civitan club has decided that its annual Halloween party for children will be presented at Atwood stadium this year instead of the IMA auditorium; where it was held in former years. The affair will be held Friday afternoon, Oct. 30, and a costume parade and prizes are on the program. A street dance has been planned by the club for teenagers that same evening.

Red Dog Tag

An identification tag thrown away by a Chinese Red prisoner of. war in the process of repatriation has been sent to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rogers, 1712 Neilson, by their son, Pfc. Virgil L. Rogers. Stationed at Freedom Village, Korea, in “Operation Big Switch.” Pfc. Rogers has been assisting in the repatriation process. He is a member of the 633rd Engineering company.

June 26, 1953

Tornado Aid Available At Mission

Clothing for children and adults, also some furniture, is available for tornado victims at the Rescue mission, 101 Smith street, according to Rev. John Schaich, superintendent. A truck load received from Rockford contains new shoes in various sizes.

Dr. H. H. Savage of the First Baptist church, Pontiac, has been broadcasting the need on his Sunday programs, resulting in receipt of several truck loads of clothing. One came this week from Detroit and another from Pontiac.

Thirty State Police working the night shift in the disaster area had Sunday dinner at the Mission a week ago.

August 14, 1953 

Handicapped Tornado Victums Offered Help

An offer of aid to handicapped victims of the June tornado in the Beecher district was made yesterday by officials of Wayne university to Flint Mayor Donald W. Riegle.

Wayne U. Vice-President William E. Stirton proposed that housewives who suffered permanent injury in the storm be schooled at the university in a unique rehabilitation program designed to teach them how to conserve energy and simplify housework.

Stirton and Mrs. Frances Sanderson, head of the Home Economics department, outlined a three-point plan for rehabilitating handicapped housewives already used successfully for cardiac patients and polio victims. Wayne, he said, with the encouragement of Detroit Mayor Albert E. Cobo, is offering the program in a spirit of mutual cooperation.

The program will consist of a one-week workshop at the university beginning August 31. Handicapped persons will be housed at the student center, which id ideally equipped for handling such students, and University experts will aid in planning special innovations in new home construction in the area, taking into account needs of handicapped persons.

Cooperation in the venture is promised by H. H. Morehead, director of the Vocational Rehabilitation office here, who said that any person needing the workshop training but lacking sufficient funds would be sponsored by his office.

The workshop has developed in the past two years as a means of adjusting injured and crippled housewives to performing normal home tasks. It is not a medical program, Mrs. Sanderson stressed, merely instruction in new techniques and labor saving organization of jobs and equipment.

Mayor Riegle asked that Mrs. Betty Schlinger, assistant district supervisor of the local rehabilitation office, attend a meeting Tuesday of the committee organizing a giant homebuilding bee in the area for the end of this month. She is to work with the Wayne experts in developing home plans to suit handicapped persons.

The university workshop, ordinarily open to any handicapped person, will give priority in classes to any Flint tornado victim, Stirton said.

Morehead estimated that at least 15 Beecher housewives already could benefit by the instruction and that others still hospitalized by their injuries, would require them later.

September 1, 1953

Riegle Thanks All Volunteers:

Jaycee Seeks National Award For Operation Tornado’ Workers

Adjectives just can’t do justice to the magnificent out-pouring of brotherly love exhibited by the more than 5,000 volunteers who last week end raised the homes and hopes of almost 200 Beecher district tornado sufferers.

Such were the sentiments expressed at last night’s City Commission meeting by Mayor Donald W. Riegle in an open letter of thanks to everyone who contributed time and energy to make such a tremendous success of “Operation Tornado.”

The final box score: 86 homes completed from the foundation up and work well toward completion on 107 others.

“I find that I did not appreciate the full extent to which so many willing persons and organizations would go to help rehabilitate our disaster area,” the Mayor said.

“The number of those who responded so splendidly is so great that, unfortunately, individual recognition is almost impossible. I wish to take this means of expressing to each group and to each person…who participated in the greatest building bee in history, my personal thanks as well as the gratitude and appreciation of all our citizens.”

Riegle’s letter, however, is not the end of work in the stricken area. Many “Operation Tornado” volunteers formed fast
friendships during their two days of work and have taken personal interest in certain homes. They have promised the owners that they will return on their own time to help finish the job.

And the national recognition afforded the great exhibition of generosity in the form of newsreel, radio and press coverage appeared on its way toward being extended.

It was learned yesterday that The Junior Chamber of Commerce through one of its members, will nominate Flint for the annual National Municipal League and Look Magazine All American City award.

The awards are made on the basis of civic improvements or reforms resulting from coordinated action by groups of citizens.

The recognition is being sought, it was explained, as a tribute and deserved reward to the volunteers of “Operation Tornado,” who wrote a new chapter in the history of good will.

August 25, 1953

Members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce — acting as personnel committee for “Operation Tornado” last night assigned 200 volunteer workers to projects during Tornado Rebuilding days Saturday and Sunday.

M. F. Borgman, chairman of the operation, said the workers processed last night would complete teams for 15 to 20 of the 186 projects in the Beecher area.

“We still are hopeful of getting 5,000 to 7,000 volunteers,” Borgman said. “We’ll know more about that when we get cards from the factories Tuesday and Wednesday.”

“East Side and Downtown Optimists, Civitans and Rotarians are assisting in the job of assigning the volunteers.

Borgman added that a skilled worker will be assigned to each project as foreman. The foremen will meet with home owners In the disaster area at 8 p.m. today at St. Francis or Assissi school to draft plans for the individual structures.

Two plumbers will be available for the rest of the week to advise tornado victims as to what plumbing supplies should be on hand, Borgman said.

Representatives of the county restaurant and bakers associations also met yesterday, agreeing to provide 10,000 box lunches and 20,000 cups of coffee during the two days.

The lunches will be made up Friday, Saturday and Sunday on \the third floor of the Home Dairy, and transported to the area by refrigerated trucks provided by the McDonald dairy.

Picture Caption:
FIGURING UP THE JOB ahead for workers during Tornado Rebuilding days are Lawrence Gauthier, 1044 E. Coldwater and his sons Kenneth, 18, and Ralph, 13. Gauthier still has his arm in a sling from multiple fractures suffered in the Beecher tornado. His family, which has lumber and brick supplies on hand, is one of 186 who homes may be rebuilt Saturday and Sunday. (News-Advertiser photo by Art Mann).

August 28, 1953

Promise Of Basement Home Excites Mother

Like thousands of others, Mr. and Mrs. Jessie Nichols will never forget Monday, June 8–the day of the Beecher District tornado.

But if the tragic memory should be dimmed, it will be because of Saturday and Sunday, August 29 and 30 – Tornado Rebuilding days.

Right now the Nichols property at 2234 W. Coldwater consists of a one-room garage home, a chicken coop and a hopeful-looking excavation with some concrete footings,

‘After Saturday we hope to be living there,” Mrs. Nichols explained, pointing at the excavation. “It won’t be much, just a cement block basement home, but it’s a start.

“At least we’ll be able to heat it through the Winter.”

The volunteer tornado committee has promised the Nicholses that a crew of workers will build their basement for them this weekend. “It was so wonderful to hear they wanted to help,” Mrs. Nichols said.

“We have four children, and we can’t go on living in this garage much longer. Look at the flies;” she despaired, swatting at the insects swarming around the kitchen table.

“And the dust. It doesn’t seem to do any good to sweep or clean. Things just get filthy again.”

The Nicholses were just moving into their remodeled Coldwater home the day disaster struck. None of them was injured, but the house and furnishings were blown away.

“We never found a thing,” Mrs. Nichols said.

By the first of August, Nichols, who is employed at a local bakery, had constructed the garage in which the family now lives. After the basement is completed by the volunteers, he intends to finish the rest of the house himself

For Mrs. Nichols, it will be the happiest Saturday of her life.

“It’s my birthday,” she explained. “And what a wonderful present these people are giving me.”

August 28, 1953

First Aid Ambulance At Building Scene

LeRoy Zelley, recent purchaser of the Darwin L. Groves funeral home at N. Saginaw and Rankin streets, worked in the tornado zone immediately after it was devastated and knows the seriousness of conditions there.

All day Saturday and Sunday one of his ambulances manned by first aid attendants will stand by during “operation tornado” to render whatever first aid assistance may be needed by workers. In case of serious injury free ambulance service to any hospital will be provided, he said.

September 1, 1953

Volunteer workers who may have been injured in the Beecher Building Bee Saturday and Sunday were told yesterday how to collect on the mass accident insurance policy which covered them.

“We treated about 300 persons at the first aid station,” said Robert Campbell, chief of the Beecher police and director of safety for the Rebuilding Days.

“Very few were half-way serious,” he added, “but there might be some infected cuts or blisters that need further treatment.”

He pointed out that persons who were treated at the first aid station, and who later require additional medical care, should take the form which they received to their doctor and have him complete it.

They should then be mailed to the Dow Insurance agency, 216 Paterson building.

Volunteers who were not treated on the scene and who suffered injuries may secure forms 2-5143.

Campbell explained that the insurance is three-dollar deductible, covering $1,000 of unallocated medical expenses. “I don’t think there will be many claims,” he added. “The workers were treated mighty well at the first aid station.”

Dr. Gerald Murphy of Grand Blanc was in charge of the first aid staff, which included several specialists and nurses.

The Beecher Water Tower Stands!