The record-union., 1893-04-27
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oN.


OKLAHOMA CITY 70. IT,, April 26.-
Two distinct cyclones, a terrific hail
storm and water-spout combined to
wreak awful destruction in newly built
towns III Oklahoma last night 1t is re-
ported that sixty-two human lives were
sacrificed. II is positive that forty per-
sons were killed, while several were
fatally and scores seriously injured. The
damage to property is inestimable.
The names OF the victims, as near as
known, are: Rev. j. NJ. Corn, Mr.. and
Mrs. Perry, Mr.. and Mrs. Banks, Miss
Ella Jerry and Frank Banks, John b.
OConnor, wife, two ;sons and threa
daughters, and family named johnson,
consisting of five persons.
Orders for thirty-one coffins have been
received here from Norman, and supplies
were telegraphed for from other points.
The brunt of the storm laid upon the
prosperous little town of Norman. on the
Santa fe Railroad, twenty miles south.
AT That point thirty-one people were
Killed, dozens injured and the town al
most completely destroyed. The people
are trenned, and cannot give any esti-
mate of the loss, and know nothing ex-
cept to care for the dead and injured,
Further on the towns of Downs and
heokuk Falls were nearly devastated,
ana scores OF people injured, fatally and
otherwise.
The first signs of the impending danger
were seen late yesterday afternoon in the
pail OF black cloud overshadowing the
northwest for miles around. At 1880
O'Clock the monster swooped down on
the town of Moore. Houses with precious
lives were caught up and carried before
the angry torrent, great trees twisted and
barns, fences and everything in its path
laid low. Passing along for eight miles
1t struck the town of Norman, where the
damage was repeated, and through Pot
towatomie County, where thousands of
dollars worth of property was demol-
ished.
The house of OConnor, near Moore,
was destroyed, and O'Connor, his wife
and their children and five neighbors.
who sought shelter in the building, were
| crushed to death. The frame house of
John Banks was torn to pieces and he
was killed, while others were badly in
Jured, three of the children and Mrs.
Banks totally. The home of Henry
Dyer was demolished.
West of Norman eight houses were de-
molished and five people badly injured.
East OF the stricken town two men and
two women were killed.
Around Norman after the cyclone a
fearful hailstorm started in and after it a
violent rainstorm.
Inc wouId-be rescuers could hear the
pltlful cries of the unfortunates, and here
ana there located imprisoned victims,
but help in most cases was out of the
question, and several unfortunates were
compelled to lay buried beneath the
debris of their homes. Men and women
and children by the score spent dismal
| night in an endeavor to find their loved
ones.
AS soon as it was light enough men
got quickly to work and commenced the
rescue. Poor victims who had been i'm
prisoned all night were carefully carried
to improvised hospitals. But few saved
more than what they had on their backs.
Help from neighboring towns soon ar
rived, and before nightfall something
like comfort was provided. Everything,
however, is in confusion, and it will be
impossible to get in correct list of the
casualties before tomorrow.
In Payne County, fifty miles north and
near the Territory line, a waterspout
struck about the same time as did the
cyclone. and although it is known that
several houses were swept away, it is not
known whether or not any lives were
lost.
AT Langston, negro town about twelve
miles from Guthrie, thirty houses were
carried away and fourteen people killed.
The negroes were panic-stricken. They
are overcome with superstition that tho
last day has come, and Langston will be
depopulated. They have no money and
no energy, and if they remain in Lang
ston, they can only do it by aid from tho
outside.
DIR. Fennelon of Norman was out last
night and all to-day attending to the
wounded, and says he attended injuries
Of $50 people, about thirty of whom are
fatally hurt.
Odd Fellows Celebrate.