The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-04-27
SIXTY 1.-TWO LIVES LOST.
Awful Destruction by a Cyclone
in Oklahoma.
THREE TOWNS DESTROYED.
Two Distinct Cyclones, a Hail Storm
and Water Spout Combined.
Houses Picked Up and Dashed to Pieces
Great Trees Twisted Like Reeds
Everything in Its Path
Laid Low.

tinct cyclones, terrific hailstorm and
water spout combined to wreck awful de-
struction in the newly built towns in
Oklahoma last night. 1t is reported that
sixty-two human lives were sacrificed.
killed while several were fatally and
scores seriously injured. The damage to
property is inestimatable. The names of
the victims so far as known are:
REV. j. M. HORN.
Mr.. AND Mrs. PERRY.
Mr.. AND MRS. BANKS.
Miss ELLA JERRY.
FRANK BANKS.
JOHN B. O'CoNNER, his wife, two sons
and three daughters.
THE JOHNSON FAMILY, consisting of
five persons.
Orders for thirty one collins have been
received here and at Norman, and sup
plies telegraphed for from other points.
The brunt OF the storm was laid upon the
prosperous little town of Norman, on the
Santa Fe railway twenty miles south.
At that point thirty-one people were
killed. dozens injured, and the town al
most completely destroyed. The people
are frenzied and cannot give any estimate
of the loss and 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 fir signs of impending
danger were seen late yesterday afternoon
in the pail of black cloud overshadow-
ing the northwest for miles around
At 1880 O'Clock the monster swooped
down on the town of Moore. 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 for eight miles, it struck the
town of Norman where the damage was
repeated, then on to Downs and Keokuk
Falls and through Pottawattomie county,
where thousands of dollars worth of
property was demolished. The house of
man named Accouner, near Moore was
destroyed, and Accouner and wife and
three children and five neighbors who
sought shelter in his builing, were
crushed to death
The frame house Of John Banks was
torn to pieces and he was killed, while
others OF his family were badly injured
Three of his children and Mrs. Banks
fatally. The home of Henry Dyer was
demolished.
West of Norman eight houses were de-
molished and five people badly injured.
East of the stricken town two men and
two women were killed. Around Norman
after the cyclone a fearful hailstorm
started in and after it violent rainstorm.
Would-be rescuers could hear the pitiful
cries of the unfortunate and here and
there locate imprisoned victims but help
in most cases was out of the question and
several unfortunates were compelled to
lay buried beneath the debris of their
homes. Men, women and children by
the score spent dismal night in the rain
in the endeavor to find loved ones.
As soon as it was light enough men got
to work and commenced to rescue the
poor victims who had been imprisoned
all night and they were carefully carried to
improvi5ed hotels. But few saved more
than what they had on their backs.
Help from neighboring towns soon
arrived and before nightfalI something
like comfort was provided. Everything.
however, is in confusion and it will be
impossible to give a correct list of the
casualties before tomorrow.
In Payne county, fifty miles north and
near the territory line, a waterspout
struck about the same time as did the cy-
clone, and although it is known that sew
eral houses were swept away, it is not
known whether or not any lives were lost.
At Langstone, a negro town about
twelve miles from Guthrie, thirty houses
were carried away and fourteen people
killed. The negroes are panic stricken.
They are overcome with superstition that
the last day has come and Langstone will
be depopulated. They have no money.
no energy and if they remain in Lang stone
can only do it by aid from the outside.
DR.. Fennolon of Mormon was out last
night and all today attending to the
wounded and says he attended the in
juries of $50 people, about thirty of
whom are fatally hurt.