Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-06-18
CYCLONE AT HEIZER.
G. F. Mecklem Killed Instantly, and His
Home Demolished!


sulting in large damage by both wind
and hail
The home of G.. F. Mecklem. 2l miles
northeast of HeiZer, was totally de-
molished, and Mr.. Mecklem killed in
stantly. He and his grandson. Harry
Mecklem, lad retired. Mrs Mecklem
was just on the point of going to bed.
She had gone to the door TO see how a
new windmill was standing the wind,
and turned to speak to Mr.. NJ. when
the house began to weave, and the next
thing she knew she was IN the air.
When coming to her senses she was
about 100 feet from where the house
had stood. on top of piece of the shed
roof.
Harry was lifted into the air and
thrown hundred feet or more, but
only slightly injured. Mrs. Mecklem
was hurt in the back and side, but
probably not dangerously. They found
the body of Mr.. Mecklem lying on q
cob pile some 80 feet from where the
house stood. He was dead. A hole
was knocked in the top of his head.
and his face bruised up, but no limbs
were broken. He must have been
killed instantly almost, either by fall.
ing on, or being struck by some hard
piece Of the flying missile.
There was but one piece of the house
| left of any size. 1t was part of ohe
side about 10x20 feet, and was thrown
against the log stable some $50 feet TO
the south of the house, breaking the
large 4x1O inch logs where it struck.
Large trees on the creek bank 800 feet
| from the house, were twisted off and
thrown into the creek. A calf picketed
within 10 feet of the house, to the
south, was uninjured, although pieces
of the house and contents were scat
tered all about it.
The storm moved from northwest to
south east, aud dipped down occasion
ally. seemingly having three or four
arms or tongues. No damage is re-
ported between HeiZer and the Wilson
place south of the river near this city
There large barn was demolished
trees up-rooted. AT CornelPs sheds
were blown down, windmill demolish'
ed and trees twisted off, also at Geo
Harts place near by.
In the vicinity of Olmitz the hail
was devastating, great damage being
done to wheat.
At the Mecklem place many curioul
, freaks of the wind could been seen
The foundation was swept as clean a
if house mover had removed tn.
building. In the cellar glass cans O
: fruit were unipjured on the shelves
and basket of eggs stood without 1
! single one broken. The clock was Car
J ried a distance of $50 feet, and sc
down right end up, where it kept ol
3 running and striking the hours unit
3 $50 O'Clock the next morning when
! stopped. A heavy heating stove wa
carried 200 feet and set down righ
D side up, while large farm wagon nea
f by had one front wheel twisted off, tn
spindle remaining in the hub. A glas
of jelly sat out in the yard, right en-
up, and a teaspoon had been stuck int
: it by the storm. An old hen an
chickens in coop close to the hous,
were uninjured.
The posts of a wire fence near th
house were pulled out of the ground
I and the wire twisted up. The wind
mill was only injured by pieces of th
o house being blown against it, bendin
the fans.
: The death of Mr.. Mecklem will b
felt deeply by the community. He wa
y good citizen and kind neighbor 81
n came to this county over 80 years age
and had lived on the place where b
/ met death, 26 years. He was Il year
s old on June 9Th, and leaves wife an
q two sons. One son, L. g., lives
Kansas City and was telegraphed TO
reaching here on Wednesday evening
The other son, G.. N. is in Wyomin,
Deceased was uncle of G. G.. Wolfe, {
/, one time county superintendent
d schools.
- Funeral services will be held toda'
" from the home of Thornton Langfort
near the scene OF the disaster.
g Many people visited the scene of Il
x twister's work on Wednesday, an
they will agree with US that pen cam,
adequately describe the terrible deva