The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-27
AN OKLAHOMA CYCLONE
rhirty.Two People in Ono Neighborhcod
Killed and MANY Others Seriously IN
iured-The Damage Elsewhere.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA, Apcii IS
Two distinct cyclones. a terrific han
storm and a water-spout combined TO
vreak awful destruction in the newly
built town Of Oklahoma last night. IL Is
reported that sixty-two lives were sacri-
feed. 1t is positive that forty were
Killed. Wilde several were fatally ana
scores seriously injured. The damage to
property is inestimable.
The names OF the victims so far as
known are: Rev. J. NJ. Corn. Mr.. and Mrs
Perry, Mr.. and Mrs. Banks. Miss Ella
Jerry, Frank Banks and John O'Connor,
wife. two sons and three daughters, and
a whole family named Johnson, con-
sisting Of five persons. orders for thirty
one collins have been received here and
at Norman. Supplies have been teie-
graphed 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
one people were killed. a dozen injured
and the town almost completely de-
stroyed.
A pail has overspread the town, busi-
ness has been suspended. and everybody
able 10 render any assistance 10 the poor
unfortunates, or towards removing dead
bodies, are out searching along the track
Of the cyclone. People are frenzled ana
cannot 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 ana
principal citizens organized relief corps
and are at the scene of the destruction.
Further on the towns OF Downs anu
Keokuk Falls Jared but little better
These towns were nearly destroyed. ana
scores of people were injured fatally and
otherwise, though the loss OF lie mere
will not be as serious as at Norman.
The first signs of the impending dan
ger were seen late yesterday afternoon,
when a pail OF black clouds overspread
the Northwest for miles around. while
further away 10 the West. rushing across
the horizon. could be seen the cyclone.
Men left their business and hurried TO
their homes, where all could quickly
sought the cyclone caves. At 1870 o'clock
the monster from the west reached its
antagonist in the Northwest. and. with
their combined strength, il swooped
down on the town of Moore. Houses.
with precious lives, were caught up and
carried before the angry torrents, great
trees were twisted off, and barns and
fences and everything in its path were laid
low. Passing along for eight miles il
struck the town of Norman, where the
damage was repeated. Then on to
Downs and Keokuk Falls and through
Pottowommie county, where thousands
Of dollars worth of property was de-
molished. The house OF OConner, near
Moore. was destroyed. and O'Conner and
his wife and three children and five
neighbors who had sought shelter in the
70
frame house Of John Banks was torn 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. West of Norman eight
houses were demolished and five peoDle
badly injured. East OF the stricken town
TWO men and two women were killed
Around Norman after the cyclone a
FEARFUL hail-storm started in, and after
II violent rain-storm. 1t was too dark
to search out the dead and to most of
the injured and dying who were stce,ss-
full IN making their voices heard above
the storms roar, there came bu. little
relief. Their would-be rescuers could
hear the cries OF the unfortunates, and
here and there the imprisoned victims
but help In most cases was out of the
question. and several OF the unfortunates
were compelled 10 lie buried ben,at
the debris OF their homes. Men. women
and children by the score spent the dis
NAL night In the rain in an endeavor TO
find their loved ones. Their search was
generally Ruthless ard when morning
came II found little children crying for
their mothers. wandering around wet to
the skin and nearly ready TO 1rop.
As soon as il was light enough the
Uot In
the rescue. and the poor victims who had
been imprisoned all night were carefully
carried to the improvised hospitals. But
few saved moro 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 II will be impossible TO gain a cor
rect list of the casualties before to-mor-
row.
In Bayns county, fifty miles north
and near the territory line. a water spout
struck the place about the same time as
did the cyclone. and though 1t is known
that several houses were swept away
II IN not known whether or not any lives
were lost
Storms In the Northwest.
ST. PAUL. MINI, April 26.--Reports
from one hundred points in Minnesota to-
night indicate that the great storm
which began last Wednesday with twenty
inches Of snow, is till raging. Since day
light this morning 1t has Deen alternately
raining, hailing and showing Farmers
all over this region are pretty nearly dis
couraged over the outlook for crops. Not
an acre of grain has been sown I'm North
Dakota, nor at any point in Minnesota
north of St. Cloud and there is no pros
pect that any viii be sown in the next
ten days. In Northern Minnesota around
Crookston. Fisher and many other Red
River Valley points, thousands of acres
OF farm land have been converted into
lakes by overlooking streams and all
talk OF putting in crops is out Of the ques-
ton. To-nights weather reports indicate
at least twenty-four hours more of snow
or rain.
Arkansas Town Demolished.
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. April "a
terrific cyclone almost wiped out of exist
ence the little town of Jensen. In Sebas-
tian county. last night: Nine buildings
were demolished. Four freight cars were
blown from the track. and a portion OF
Frisco depot was carried away. One
man and child were seriously injured.