The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-27
KILLEDBY TWISTER
Sixty-Two Corpses Dug From
Ruins in Oklahoma.
STORM SWEPT FIVE TOWNS.
Orders for Co0ne Come From 0tricksn
Ceunties-An Awful Scene Of De-
vastation-Looking for Dead.

q
spout combined wreaked awful destruction
In newly built towns in Oklahoma last
night. and II IL reported that sixty-two
human lives were sacrificed. It is positive
that forty were killed, while several were
fatally and scores seriously injured. The
damage to property il inestimable. The
names Of the victims. a. far a. known. are:
REV. J. NJ. Conn.,
Mr. AND MRS. PERRY.
Mr. AND MRS BANKA
Miss ELLA, JERRY AND FRANK BANKA
JOHN z. OCoSxoR, WIFE, TWO SONS AND
THREE DAuGHrERs.
FAMILY NAxED JossoN. consisting Of i've
persons
Orders for thirty-one collins were re-
ceived here and at Norman, ana supplies
were telegraphed for from other points.
The brunt of the storm was laid upon the
prosperous little town of Norman, on the
Santa Fe railroad. twenty miles south of
here. At that point thirty-one people
were killed and dozens injured, and the
town almost completely destroyed.
The people are terrorized and cam
not give any estimate of the loss.
They know nothing except to care for the
dead and injured. Further on the towns
OF Downs and Keokuk Falls were nearly
devastated and scores Of people injured
fatally and otherwise. The first signs of
impending danger were seen late yester-
day afternoon in black cloud overshad-
owing the northwest for miles around,
and at 7:30 o'clock the monster swooped
down on the town of Moore, where houses
with precious lives were caught up and
carried before the angry torrent. Great
trees were twisted. and barns, fences and
everything IN its path laid low.
Passing along for eight miles it struck
the town of Norman, where the greatest
damage was created, and then on to
Downs and Keokuk Falls and through
Pottawattomie county. where thousands
Of dollars worth Of property was demol-
ished.
The house Of O'Connor, near Moore, was
destroyed, and O'Connor, wife and three
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 killed,
while others Of the family were
badly injured, three of the children and
Mrs. Banks fatally. The homo of Henry
Dyer was demolished. West of Norman
eight houses were demolished and five
people badly injured. East Of the town
two men and two women were killed.
Around Norman after the cyclone fear
full hailstorm started in and after it . vio-
lent rainstorm. The would-be rescuers
could hear the pitiful cries of tho unfor-
Inmates here and there and thus locate
imprisoned victims, but help in most
cases was out Of the question and several
unfortunates were compelled to lie buried
beneath the debris of their homes. Men,
women and children by the score spent
the dismal night in the rain in An en-
deayor to find loved ones.
Az soon - it was light enough men got
quickly to work and commenced the res
cue of the poor victims who had been i'm
prisoned all night, and they were care
fully carried to improvised hospitals. But
few saved more than they had on their
backs, but help from neighboring towns
soon arrived. and before nightfall some
thing like comfort was provided. Every.
thing, however. 10 in confusion, and it
will be impossible to gain . correct list Of,
the casualties before tomorrow.
In Payne county, fifty miles north and
near the territory line. q water spout
struck about the same time as did the cy-
clone, and although it is known that sew
eral houses were swept away, it 10 not
known whether or not any lives were lost.
At Langston, a negro town about twelve
miles from Guthrie. thirty houses were
carried away and fourteen people killed.
The negroes are panic stricken, as :hey
are overcome with the superstition
that the last day has come and that Lang
ston would be depopulated. They have no
money and no energy, and If they remain
in Langston can only do it by aid from
the outside. DR.. Fennelton, Of Norman.
was out last night ana all today attending
to the wounded. and says he attended the
injuries of $50 persons, about thirty of
whom are fatally hurt.