Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-27
TOWNS SWEPT
TWO CYCLONES, A HAlL-sTORM, AND
A WATER-SPOUT
They Combine to Devastate Oklahoma
Many Lives Lost-Pitiabie Scenes of
Sufiering-DamagcE Enormous.
[By telegraph to tho Dispatch.l

OKLAHOMA CRY. OKLAHOMA. April 26.-
Two distinct cyclones. a terrific hall
storm, and a water-spout combined to
wreak awful destruction in the newly
built towns in Oklahoma last night 1t IS
reported that sixty-two lives were sacri-
feed. 1t is certain that forty were killed,
while several were fatally and scores seri-
ously injured. The damage TO property IS
beyond estimate. The names of the vic
tins so far as known are Rev. J. NJ.
Corn, Mr.. and Mrs. Perry. Mr.. and Mrs.
Banks. Miss Ella, Jerry, and Frank Banks;
John OCOnnor. wife, two sons, and three
daughters: whole family named john
son. consisting of five persons.
Orders for thirty-oue cofiins have been
received here and at Norman. Supplies
have been tslegraphed for from other
points. The brunt OF the storm was laid
upon the prosperous little town or Nor
man. on the Santa Fe road. about twenty
miles south of here. At that point thirty
one people were killed, dozens wero in
jured. and the town was almost completely
destroyed
THE PEOPLE FRRSZIKD.
pail has overspread the town, bust
ness has been suspended, and everybody
lble 10 render any assistance TO the poor
unfOrtunates or towards removing the
dead bodies are out searching along the
track OF the cyclone. The people are
trenzied, cannot give any estimate OF their
losses. and know nothing except to care
for their dead and injured. Oklahoma
! City has responded nobly and the Mayor
| and princIpal citizens organized relief
| corps and are at the scene of the destruc-
| ton.
Further on the towns of Downs and
Keokuk Falls Jared bht little better.
These towns were nearly devastated and
| scores Of people injured fatally and other
wise though tho loss Of life here will not
be as serious as Gt Norman.
HOW THE STORM BEGAN.
The first signs of the impending danger
/ were seen late Yesterday afternoon in a
| pail of black clouds overshGdowng the
Northwest for miles around. while farther
away TO the westward. and rushing across
! the horizon. could be seen the cyclone.
I Mon left their business places and hurried
! to their homes. where oil who could do so
J quickly sought the cyclone caves. At 1880
! o'clock the monster from the west
/ reached its antagonist IN the north
west. and with their combined strength
I they swOoped down on the town OF Moore.
| Houses with precious lives were caught
up and carried before the angry torrent
]
I fences and everything else in its path was
| laid low. Passing along for eight miles 1t
! struck the town Of Norman, where the
| damage was repeated. Then on 10 Downs
/ and Keokuk Falls, and through Pottowat-
! tonic county, where thousands of
dollars worth of property was de-
| mollshed. The house of John OCon-
ner, near Moore. was destroyed.
and O'Couner and his wife. and three
/ oI, nj G,-a hA ho1
sought shelter in the building were crush
ed to death The frame house of John
| Banks was torn to pieces and he was killed.
| while others Of his family OF six were bad
| " injured. three of the children and Mrs.
| Banks fatally. The house Of Henry Over
was demolished. West of Norman eight
| houses were demolished and FIVE people
/ badly injured. East OF the stricken town
two men and two women were killed.
NIGHT OF TERROR.
Around Norman after the cyclone a fear
/ ful hail-stOrm started in and after that n
violent rsin-storm. II was too dark TO
! search ont the dead and 70 most of the in
! iured and dying who were successful IN
making their voices heard above the storm s
| roar there came but little relief. Their
would-be rescuers could hear the cries OF
! the unfortunates. and here and there To-
cate the imprisoned victims. but help in
most cases was out Of the question. and
several OF the unfortunates were com
| PEELED to lie buried beneath the debris OF
| their homes. Men and women and chill
! dren By the score spent the dismal night
| in the rain in an endeavor TO find
their loved Ones Their search was cene-
| rally fruitless, and when morning came II
found little children crying for their
mothers and wandering around. wet TO
the skin and nearly ready to drop. Az
soon as II was light enough the men got
| quickly 10 work and commenced the
rescue. The poor victims who had been
! imprisoned all night were carefully car
rled to improvsed hospitals.
! Few saved more than what they had on
their backs. Help from neighboring towns
! soon arrived. however. and before night
| fall something like comfort was provided.
| Still. everything IL in confusion, and II
will be impossible TO gam n correct list OF
the casualties before tomorrow.
4 wATER-sPoUT.
In PAYNE county. fifty miles north and
near the Territory line, water-spOut
struck the place about the same time as
did the cyclone. and though it is known
| that several houses were swept away. 1t IS
| not known whether or not any lives were
lost.
Az ARKANSAS "CYKE."
LITTLE Rock, ARK, April 26.-A terrific cy.
| clone almost wiped out Of existence the httle
! town Of Janson, IN Sebastian c)unty last night
| Nine buildings were demolished. -Four freight
cars were blown from tho track and portion o
tho Frisco depot was carried away. One man
and child were seriously injured.
| GREAT NORTHWEST STORM.