Huntsville gazette., 1893-04-29
DEATH IN OKLAHOMA.
Fearful Loss Of Life in the New
Southern Territory.
THE STORMS IN THEIR FURY.
Two Thriving Towns Almost Swept Away
and II ny Left Suffering All Night
in the Terrible Rain Which
Follow ID the Cyclones.

OKLAHOMA CITY, April 28.-Two dis
tinct hailstorms, cyclones and water
spout combined to cause great destruc-
ton in Oklahoma. 1t is reported that
positive that 40 were killed, while sew
eral were fatally and scores seriously
injured. The damage to property is in
estimable. The names of the victims,
80 far as known, are: Rev. J. M. Corn
Mr. and Mrs. Perry, Mr.. and Mrs.
Banks, Miss Ella, Jerry and Frank
Banks, John O'Connor, wife, two sons
and two daughters, and the whole fam
ily of Mr.. johnson, consisting of five
persons.
Orders for 81 coffins have been re-
ceived here and at Norman, and sup
plies have been telegraphed for from
other points
the prosperous little town of Norman,
on the Santa Fe road, about 20 miles
south Of here At that point 81 people
were killed, dozens injured and the
town almost completely destroyed.
There pail has overspread the town,
business is suspended and everybody
able to render any assistance to the
poor unfortunates or towards removing
the dead bodies, are out searching along
the track Of the cyclone. The people
orixr
mate of their loss and know nothing ex-
cept to care for the dead and injured.
Oklahoma City has responded nobly and
the mayor and principal citizens organ
lied a relief corps and are at the scene
of destruction.
Further on the towns of Downs and
Keokuk Falls Jared but little better
The towns were nearly devas ated and
scores of people injured fatally and
otherwise. though the loss of lives, if at
all, will not be as serious as at Norman.
The first signs of danger were seen late
in the afternoon in a pail of black clouds
overshadowing the northwest for miles
around, while further away to the
west, rushing across the horizon could
be seen the cyclone. Men left their
business places and hurried to their
homes, where all who could, quickly
sought the cyclone caves.
AT 1870 O'Clock the monster from the
west reached it's antagonist from the
northwest and with their combined
strength swooped down on the town of
Monroe.
Houses with Precious Lives
were caught up and carried before the
angry torrent. great trees were twisted
off, barns. fences and everything in
its paths We're laid low. Passing
along for eight miles, it struck the
town Of Norman, where the damage
was repeated, and then on to
Downs and Keokuk Falls and through
Pottowamic county, where thousands
of dollars worth of property were de-
stroyed and many lives must have been
sacrificed. The mouse of j. 0. OCon
nor near Monroe was destroyed, and
O'Connor and his wife and three chill
dren and five neighbors, who had sought
shelter in the building, supposing it
was tornado proof,
Were Crushed to Death.
The frame house of John Banks was
tern to pieces and he was killed, while
others Of his family of six were badly
injured; three of the children and Mrs.
Banks fatally. The home of Henry
Dyer was demolished, but his sick wife
and child were picked up and carried
some distance without being hurt.
West of Norman eight houses We're
demolished and five or six people badly
injured. East of the stricken town two
men and two women were killed. Sim
liar reports come from all around, but
it seems impossible to get names.