The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-27
MANY PERSONS KILLED.
Horrible Work Of q Tornado In Oklahoma
Several Towns Demolished.

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OKLAHOMA CITY. o. T., April 26.-Two
distinctive tornadoes. q hail-storm and
water spout. combined to wreak awful de-
struotion in the newly built towns of
Oklahoma last night 1t is reported that
sixty-two human lives were sacrificed. but
1t 10 positive fact that forty persons were
killed ana that scores were injured. The
damage to property is inestimable. The
names of the victims 80 far as known are:
Killed.Ed Johnson and three hired hands,
John OConnor, jr., John O'Connor, sr., wife and
seven children, Mrs. Rooney, Mrs. MorOney aud
four children. Miss Redd. Mr.. Banks, wife and
two children. T. G, Clemens, child OF Mr.. Bate
man, Henry Peary and family OF aeven, Rev.
Mr. Carlo.
Seriously wounded-Chas. Harwell, Mrs. Ket-
fridge and infant, Mrs snyder. II. p. Holiday
0COnnor, Mr.. Moroney and three children, Pat
O'Maley, Albert sinnox, Mr.. and Mrs. Gilmore,
Mrs. Calbert; Mrs S. II. Wilkinson, George
Orders for thirty-one collins have been
received here and at Norman and supplies
have been telegrsphed for from other
points
The brunt OF the storm was laid upon the
prosperous little town of Norman, on the
Santa Fe railroad. about twenty miles
south of here. At that point thirty-0ne
people were killed. dozens injured and the
town almost destroyed. Business is sus-
pended and every body able to render
any assistance to tue poor unfortunates
or toward removing the bodies are
out searching along the track OF the
tornado. The people are frenzied and can
not give any estimate of their loss. and
know nothing except to care for the dead
and injured. Oklahoma City has responded
nobly, and the Mayor aud principal citi-
zens organized a relief corps and are at the
scene of destruction. Further on the
towns ST Downs and Keokuk Falls Jared
but little better. The towns were nearly
devastated and scores of people injured
fatally and otherwise. though the loss of
lives there, IL at all. will not be as serious
as at Norman.
THE CLOUDS JOINED. 777.
The first signs of impending danger were
seen lste yesterday afternoon in pail of
black clouds overshadowing the north
west, whlle further away to the west, rush.
ing ACROSS the horizon, could be seen the
tornado. Men left their business places
and hurried to their homes, where all who
could quickly sought cyclone caves. At
7S0 o'clock the monster cloud from the
west reached its antagonist IN the
northwest and with their combined
strength swooped down on the
town of Moore. Houses with prec-
before the cloud. great trees were twisted
off and barns fences and everything In its
path was laid low. Passing along for eight
miles the tornado struck the town of Nor
man. where the damage was repeated and
then on to Downs and Keokuk Falls and
through Pottawatomie county. where
thousand of dollars worth of property was
demolished and where many lives must
have been sacrificed.
The house Of j. O. Connor, near Moore.
was destroyed. andi Connor and his wife
and six children and five neighbors, who
had sought shelter in the building. suppos-
ing it was tornado proof, were crushed to
death. The frame house of John Banks
was torn to 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 home of Henry ID. Myer
was demolished, bat his sick wife and child
were picked up and carried some distance
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.
The night passed by those who had es-
capped the storms ravaRes was terrible In
tornado had done its destruction. n fearful
hailstorm started in. and after il a violent
raiDstOrm. 1t was too dark to search for
the dead, and to most of tho In
jured and dying who were successful
In making their voices heard above
the storms roar came but feeble relief.
The would be rescuers could hear the cries
of the unfortuuates and here and there To-
cate the Imprisoned victims. but help in
most cases was ont OF the question and sev-
eral of the poor unfOrtunates were CON-
PEELED 10 lay buried beneath the debris of
their homes Those who survived their IN
,, juries. and after having laid in the cold
and wet all night. were too faint
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 sepa-
rated from their families spent the night
as rule in the rain and among the debris
IN an endeavor to find and help their loved
ones Their search was generally frultless
for the storm was so furious that
1t was absolutely necessary to pro-
tect themselves by seeking what shelter
remained. This was but scant and
when morning came it revealed O sad and
pItiable sight. Women carrying their
babies and little children crying for their
mothers could be seen wandering around
wet TO tho skin. As soon Es It was light
enough the men. after providing what COM
fort was possible for the women and chill
drep, commenced the work of rescue. The
poor victims who had been i'm prisoned all
night were carefully carried to i'm
provised hospitals, where all the
possible rendered them.
But few saved more than what they had
on their backs. Help from neighboring
towns soon arrived and before niGhtfall
something like comfort was provided.
Everything. however. is In confusion. and
10 will he i'm possible to gain a correct list
| of the casualties before tomorrow.
In Payne county. fifty miles north. and
near the line. a waterspout struck about
| the same time as did the tornado. and
| although it is known that several houses
were swept away. lt Is not known W hether
or not any lives were lost.
An Arkansas Town Visited.