The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-05-03

lives were caught up and carried
before the angry torrent great trees were
twisted off and barns, fences and every
thing in its path was laid low. Passing
along for eight miles it struck the town of
Norman, where the damage was repeated,
and through Pottawsttomie county, where
thousands dollars worth of property was
demolished and where many lives must
have been sacrificed.
The O'COnnor Family AnnihiIated.
The house of ]. O'Connor, near Moore,
was destroyed and O'Connor, his vile and
six children and FIVE neiRhbors who had
sought shelter in the building. supposing
it was torpedo proof, were crushed TO
death. The frame house of John Banks
was torn 10 pieces and he was killed, while
others OF his family OF six were badly in
jured, three of the children and Mrs
Banks fatally.
The nome of Henry D. Myer was
demolished but his sick wife and child
were picked up and carried some dis
lance without being hurt.
West of Norman eight houses were
demolished and five or six people badly
injured East of the stricken town two
men and two women were killed. Similar
reports come from all around. but it
seema impossible to get names.
a Night of Terror.
The night passed by those who had es-
capped the storms ravaees was hideous in
the extreme. Around Norman after the
cyclone had done its destruction fearful
hail storm started in and after it violent
rain storm. II was too dark to search out
the dead and most of the injured
aud dying who were successful in max
ing their voices heard above the storms
roar came but feeble relief. The would
be rescuers could hear the cries of the un-
fortunates, and here and there locate the
| imprisoned victims, but help in most
cases was out of the question, and several
OF the poor unfortunates were compelled
to lay buried beneath the debris OF their
once happy homes. Those who survived
with their injuries and after having lain
in the cold and wet all night were too
faint when morning came to cry for help,
and lay half unconscious till found by
! their rescuers.
Men and women and children by the
score, who had lost their homes and in
many instances were separated from their
families, spent the dismal night, as a rule,
in the rain and amongst the debris in an
| endeavor to find and help their loved
ones. Their search was generally fruitless
for the storm was 80 furious that it was
absolutely necessary to protect themselves
by seeking what shelter renamed. This
was but scant. and when morning came it
found sad and pitisble sight. Women
carrying babies and little children CRYING
for their mothers could be seen wander
ing around wet to the skin and nearly
/ ready to drop in their tracks.
] Work of Rescue.
As soon as it was light enough the men,
| after providing what comfort was possible
for the women and children. commenced
the work of rescue. The poor victims who
had been imprisoned ali night were care
I fully carried TO improvised hospitals where
all the care possible WAS rendered them.
| But few saved more than what they had
on their backs. AS the dead and injured
were brought into the hospital the scene
was most pitiable-friends and relatives
recognized by their loved ones dead or
too weak 10 return their recognition.
Help from neighboring towns soon ar
rived and before nightfall something like
comfort was provided EVERYTHING, how
ever. is in confusion and it will be impos-
sibe to gain a correct list OF the casual
ties before tomorrow.
In Payne county. fifty miles north and
near the line, water spout struck about
the same time as did the cyclone, and al
though it is known that several houses
were swept away, it is not known whether
or not any lives lost.
GUTHRIE, o. T., April 27.-Late reports
from the storm-swept portions OF the ter
ritory make it certain that the number of
the killed exceeds seyenty.fve, while over
two hundred persons were injured, many
fatally.
At Norman, in the southern part OF
Oklahoma. thirty-four bodies have been
prepared for burial. Nearly a dozen peo-
pie are missing and it 10 expected that five
or six of the badly injured will die. In
the vicinity of Norman. which was
the center of the worst storm,
as far as the eye can reach are scattered
wrecked buildings. furniture, implements
and bodies OF animals. hundred and
fifty farms are swept clean Of buildings,
fences. orchards and crops. and the people
who we're not killed are left in poverty.
In almost every case where the people
were caught in their houses they were
stricken in death or badly injured.
The little town OF Case. forty miles south
east OF here, was visited by the same
tornado which passed east of Norman and
almost demolished Is and five people In