The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-07-29
"ROUGHING IT."
Experience Of an Indianapolis Man in the
Wilds Of Dakota.
Fleeing From a Mob-How a Hoosier Lost
s25,0oO-A- Remarkable Cyclone
and Hail-Storm-A Mar
Escape.


time ago the departure of Henry A Fox,
well-known and reputable citizen of this
city, for Dakota, seeking the restoration of
his health, and also TO engage in the insur-
ance business for the Dakota Fire and Ma
rine Insurance Company, of Chamberlain,
d. T. Mr.. Fox returned home quite unex-
pected the other day, and yesterday was met
by representative of this paper, when a
very interesting conversation was held, in
which he related some of his experiences
while up in that wild region.
Yes" said he. Il was told by Dr. Jami-
son six months ago that if / remained in
this climate half year / would die of con-
sumption. But am not dead yet. feel
better and weigh more now than | ever did
in my life. / had tough time of il, how
ever. The country is new and not yet well
settled We did great business in insuring
crops against damage or loss by hail. There
were thirteen corps of agents for the COM
pany, and IN our corps there were eight men
under the management OF a. Y. Ragsdale, of
Davies County, this State. Each man, /
think, turned on an average 81, 400 per
week into the cOmpanys hands, and We re-
ceived 500 month and expenses.
"One day they had terrible cyclone and
hailstOrm UP in Northern Dakota, which
dent and Directors of the company realizing
that their expenses in adjusting all the
claims would be enormous, converted a..
their paper into cash and skipped for parts
unknown as the saying goes. That left Us
innocent agents in very critical position.
Why, our corps was at Mitchell stopping at
the hotel when a mob of 175 men armed
with rifles came up and asked the proprietor
where those insurance devils were.
The man had the presence of mind to
tell them he thought we had either
left town, or had taken up quarters at
the other hotel. So, off they went, with
yells and curses of vengeance to the other
house, while we made our way out of town
in hurry. Our party split, and Mr.. Rags
dale and | broke for the creek. When we
reached that, we got IN the middle, and,
waist deep in water, waded fully three miles
TO keep them off our trail. At last we came
to a railroad, when we boarded a train for
indianapolis, and we returned home all safe
and sound But | don't know how
well the other part of our crew Jared.
We left everything we had except what
was in our pockets Mr.. Ragsdale had S20-
600 worth of stock in the concern and besides
had paid out 5000 or more for our ex-
penses.
Mr.. Fox then stated the manner in which
the affairs of the company had been con-
Quoted, which TO the average Hoosier farm
er would be quite peculiar. For instance, a
farmer is to I'LL out blank application for
insurance, in which he sets forth the number
Of acres sown, and for specified sum per
acre the company agrees to pay
a certain ptice, per bnshel for the
grain if lost or damaged
by hail, as appraised by qualified land
holders. In addition TO the note the farmer
gives TO the company for the amount of his
insurance, he also gives a mortgage on his
crops, which in case of failure to pay off the
note, is to be forclosed. AS hail storms are
of great frequency in that region, this would
appear to be very fair and respectable bust
ness, and Mr.. Fox says over half the farmers
took advantage of so generous an insurance
in consequence OF which as many farms are
under mortgage
Our inforrnant was an eye witness TO the
most destructive cyclone and hail storm
which visited Blunt short time ago. There
were over 400 houses and buildings in the
town previous TO the storm and all but five
were swept away in five minutes. 1t was in
deed a sickening sight TO behold, and the
wall of the wounded and dying was simply
heartrendering. The most of the people had
dug outs where they had fled for safety
and fortunately out of 100 people only
twenty-six were killed.
In another instance Mr.. Fox was seated at
the dinner table enjoying the hospital;ies of
prairie farmer and his family when a little
five-year-old daughter came in saying:
''0h, papa, storm is coming | seen it
blow down Mr.. Trimbelps house"
All rushed out into the yard. when. sure
enough, great black cloud was plunging
along like ship upon stormy sea. They
watched il take up the nearest house and lift
it hundred feet above the earth. and then
shatter it into thousand pieces. They then
crept into their ''dug-out," and in moment
their own house was gone. After the cyclone
had passed the hail began to fall like blocks
of ice, some weighing five pounds and a
quarter, shaped something like an old army
eanteen.
This may seem Incredible" remarked Mr..
Fox, "but it is true nevertheless"