The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-06-22

GALEsBURG, H., June l4.-There passed
throughout the northwestern part of this
(knox) county about O'Clock yesterday
evening a most destructive tornado, and
ruin was left all along its path. 1t seems
to have made its first appearance north
west of Galva. About 7:30 o'clock two
black threatening clouds were noticed in
the west approaching one another, and
the tornado is thought to have resulted
from their junction. Its course was south
and east through that city and the main
body of the storm passed along the main
business street OF the city. It came with
such suddness that the citizens had no
time in which to fly to places OF safety. In
the Free methodist church there was as
sembled a congregation. In the rink there
was gathering committe TO arrange for
Fourth of July celebration. The church
was quickly mass OF ruins and the con-
gregstion was imprisoned. A number
were injured, one dangerously. The rink
was blown down, but those inside man
aged to escape without injury. Had the
storm come a few moments later many
would have been in this building and loss
of life would surely have resulted.
1t Came with n Roar.
The roar of the storm is described as
terrible. 1t was accompanied by midnight
darkness and an awful sweep OF wind that
carried every thing before it. Nearly every
business house along the principal street
was unroofed and the stocks of goods were
badly damaged by the floods OF water fol-
lowing the tornado. The Chicago, Bur
Hngton & Quincy round house was totally
wrecked. The q. w. Barnett elevator
near bv was unroofed and 10000 bushels
of grain dsluged With water. The Rock
Island and Peoria eleva or and a part OF
the depot went next. The tall stseple of
the baptist church was cut off c.ean as
il by knife and was hurled into the
street The congregational church was
also badly injured. The saddest
feature occurred at August Olsen's
house. There were in the house at the
time Mr.. and Mrs. Olsen, Charles Olsen
and four others. The residence suddenly
collapsed killing Mr. Olsen instantly and
the others escaped by a miracle. The
place today was in q state of demoraliza-
ton. Business was completely suspended,
the streets were filed with debris Of every
description. The stores were more or less
in ruins. Hardly q residence but what
will need repairs. The damage is esti-
mated at 100000. Considering the num-
Der Of buildings wrecked it is surprising
that there was not greater loss of lite. MIR.
Olsen was the only one killed.
The Injured.
The injured were as follows:
GEORGE ERICKSON, hip injured and arm
broken.
Mrs. ALBERT ERICKSON, hurt internally.
Mrs. JOHN ERICKSON, hurt in back and
head.
Mrs. HERMAN ANDERSON, hurt internally.
Mr.. and Mrs. NOAH YARGER, slightly in
jured.
c. n. HEsIPsTEAD, hurt about head.
ERNEST DICKERSOS, leg broken.
ALBERT EKCKsos, hurt internally.
HULDAH CARLSON, leg broken.
NELLIE MOLINE, hurt internally.
Damage to Property.
The damage done to buildings outside
those mentioned was as follows:
johnson & Bros carriage warehouse,
unroofsd.
Butler & Obers', building unroofed.
Hay and pump and planter factory. dam
aged $1,000 and store destroyed.
G.. II. Brooks dwelling house. one mile
west of Galva, struck by lightning and
burned.
City hall and First national bank, I'M
ro0fed.
This enumeration does not include the
damage done TO private property. The
trees in Washington and Central
parks were broken and uprooted and the
parks were ruined beyond redemption.
The velocity Of the wind was extraordinary
Cars were blown from the tracks. The tor
OF a freight car Was blown off. A car Of
stock was pushed along the track and of
the switch. Windows all over town were
blown in. A Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy freight train Was halted on Ne
ponset hill. and the engineer described
the storm as the worst he ever encoun
tered. South of Galva largo tree was
plucked up by the roots and carried sixty
feet. The southeastern part of Galva SUI
fered most severely. After leaving Galvs
the tornado went in a southessierly direc
ton, according 10 some. following Walnut
creek. From all accounts ii must have
been three or four miles IN width. The
farms all along its path to Spoon river sui
fered most severely.
Destruction Near Altoona
II passed three and half miles from
Athena. The large brick house OF Mrs