The Grenada sentinel., 1896-05-30
M|CHIGAN'S TORNADO
Leaves a Scene of Death and Dis
ISOLATION in It's Wake.
THREE COUNTIES FELT ITS FORCE,
And In Some Cases Entire Villages Were
Literally Blotted Out-The Loss
Of Life is Large, But Figures
Are Not Definite.


tornado by which probably over 100
lives were lost and fully 100 persons
injured more or less seriously, swept
over Oakland, Leeper and Macomb
counties Monday evening. The towns
struck, SO far as meager telegraphic
and telephone communication can as
certain, are Ortonville, Thomas. Meta
mora, Mount Clemens, Oakwood and
st. Clair. The town of Ortonville re-
ports list of dead that aggregates II.
The towns of Thomas, lakewood and
Ortonville were wiped off the face of
the earth.
From Thomas, which was practically
destroyed, and Metamora, which was
partly destroyed, no list of names has
yet been obtained.
The tornado first gave indications of
Its presence about seven o'clock in the
southeast portion OF the state. 1t
came up from the southwest in the
shape of black funnel-shaped cloud,
and struck the earth near the village
of Ortonville in Oakland county. A
farm house occupied by Wm. James
and his family of six was the first
building struck. The house was lifted
from its foundations and carried near
ly ten rods, striking the earth total
wreck. Two children were killed and
the rest of the family injured, but not
seriously.
The telegraph operator at Orton-
vile is the only person found who
could supply consistent story, prac-
tically every other person in the vii
lage being either killed or injured. He
says:
1.-The tornado struck here few min
utes after seven o'clock. It was pre-
ceded by u terrific electrical storm,
which shook the earth and made the
town as light as day almost continu.
ously. Fifteen minutes later, with
terrific roar. the black funnel-shaped
cloud came sweeping along carrying
up in its wild embrace houses, barns,
trees. sidewalks and everything else in
its track
"Two streets in the village were
swept as clean as though burned away
by fire. When the storm had passed an
awful scene of desolation PRESENTED it.
self. There was not house left stand
ing, dead were lying in the streets and
not a single person was left unnamed.
l summoned aid from the neighboring
town of Southfield, and four doctors,
with corps of rescuers, were soon at
work."
After passing through Ortonville the
tornado struck Thomas, small sta
ton on the Detroit s. Bay City division
of the Michigan Central, tearing down
buildings, including the Hotel John
son, the McDermott and the large
apple-dryer and many dwelling houses
were destroyed. Many farm buildings
are destroyed but no news can be OBJ
tanned from the country on account OF
the roads being blocked with fallen
trees, etc.
From Thomas the tornado leaped tc
Metamora. Up to this writing it has
been impossible to secure any details
from there, as telegraph and telephone
wires are down and the roads are sc
blocked with debris that travelling by
vehicle is impossible. From Metamora
the tornado travelled on to Mount
Clemens, and from there passed through
on to Lake St. Clair. No damage tt
shipping has been reported, but marine
circles are apprehensive OF serious
damage. A conservative estimate
places the number of dead at so an
the injured at zoo. The property dam
, age will not fall short of S5O0ooO.
At lakewood fire added its horrors tt
the devastation, and when the trail
passed through late Monday night moi
q person could be seen, but the dire
work of the flames and wind could be
seen on every hand. All the buildings
had been destroyed, leaving scarce
trace OF anything. Many were report
ed killed, but it was impossible to ge
particulars.
Tho Devastation at Mount Clemens.
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich, May 26.-i
tornado swept over the city abou
eight o'clock Monday night, devast at
ing section of Two blocks wide ant
four long, and injuring dozen per
sons one of whom may die.
Houses were overturned and smashed
into kindling wood. Whole familie
were imprisoned in the ruins OF thei
homes, and it is miraculous that NOR
persons were not seriously injured
, About thirty buildings were wrecked
here.
DNsth and Destruction at Oxford.
DETROIT, Mich, May ga specia
to the journal from Oxford, Mich.
says:
It was seven o'clock Monday evenin
when this district was swept with
mighty bosom of death and destruc
: tion. The first point touched, SO far a
the news reaches here, was half mil
north of the beautiful village OF Orton
vile. 1t came with the velocity OF
: cannon ball, and never swerved fror
its course until it had nearly swep
: from the face Of the landscape tn
quiet village Of lakewood.
e It was not the funnel shaped tornod
cloud that devastated this region
was an even and mighty lowering {
5 wind clouds. It moved along the si'
, mile road from Ortonville to Oakwoo'
o.