The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-05-26
SLAIN BY STORM N.
Fifty Lives Lost in a Fear
full Tornado in
Michigan.
THREE COUNTIES DEVASTATED
Whole Towns Wiped Out-Two
Hundred Injured-Indiana
Wind Swept.

DETROIT, Mich, May 26, 1Sa6.-A ter
ribie tornado, by which probably about
nifty lives We're lost and about 200 per-
sons injured, more or less seriously,
swept over Oakland, Lapeer and Macomb
counties last evening.
The towns struck are Ortonville.
Thomas, Metamora, Mount Clemens, Oak
wood and st. Clair. The town of Ortoll.
vile reports a list of dead that aggre-
gates seventeen. The towns of Thomas,
lakewood and o~rtonville were wiped out
almost entirely. From Thomas, which
was practically destroyed, and Metamora
which was partially destroyed, no list
of names has yet been obtained.
The tornado first appeared about seven
o'clock in the southeastern part of the
State. 1t came up from the southwest
in the form of a black, funnel-shaped
cloud, and struck the earth near the vii
lage of Ortcnville in Oakland county.
A farm house occupied by William
James and his family of six was the first
building struck. The house was lifted
from its foundations and carried nearly
ten rods, striking the earth a total wreck.
Two children were killed and the rest
of the family injured. but not seriously.
The telegraph operator at O%rtonville
was the only person found who could tell
a connected story of the disaster, prac-
tically every other person in the village
being either killed or injured.
This is his story
THE cyclone struck here a few min
utes after seven O'Clock. 1t was pre-
coded by a terrific electrical storm, which
shook the earth and made the town as
light as day.
Fifteen minutes later, with a terrific
roar, the black funnel shaped cloud came
sweeping along, overturning and carry
ing up into its wild embrace, houses,
barnes, trees, sidewalks, and everything
else in its tracks
sIWo streets in the village were swept
as clean as though burned aWay nv fire
When the storm had passed a scene of
desolation presented itself. There was
not a house left standing. Dead were ly-
ing IN the streets and not a single person
was left UNNAMED. 1 summoned aid
from the nefghboring town of Southfield
and -four doctors and a corps of rescuers
We're soon at work"
After passing through Ortonville the
tornado struck Thomas, a small station
on the Detroit. and Bay City division Of
the Michigan Central Railroad. A dozen
pulldIngs including the Hotel Johnson,
many dwelling houses were DESTROYED.
Many farm buildings are destroyed, but
no news can he obtained from the coun-
try on account of the roads being blocked
with fallen trees and debris of the demol-
ished houses.
The dead at Thomas
Kicks, John
Kicks, William.
From Thomas the tornado leaped to
Metamora. 1t was impossible this morn
ing to secure any details from there. as
telegraph and telephone wires are d3wn
and the roads are SO blocked with debris
that travelling by vehicle is impossible.
Hlr0f1 II OF n y II +ra II
clemens, and from there passed on to
Lake 81. Clalr. No damage to shipping
mas been reported, but marine circles are
A comparative estimate places the num-
Der of dead at so and the injured al 200
me 81 e.Ipo reodpoerty damage will not fall short
At lakewood fire added its horrors to the
usvaslatlon, and when the train passed
snm me town last night not a per-
hand. Sis
Al Of the buildings had been DESTROYED.
Many We're reported killed, but it was inn
possible to. get particulars.
Tne dead at lakewood, SO far as known. |
Davis, Mrs. William.
Ravlsd; NJ a child.
Laird, Charles.
Werber, Roger.
WeIber, Mrs. Roger.
5000 Mich, May 26, 1896.
IBebween thirty and forty houses in this
place We're blown down by the tornado |
last night and it is exported that severai
lives were lost.
Tn injured-Mrs. Russell Carter. in
lured by a flying board; Mrs. Ornsby. arm
broken; Mrs. Ann Pohl, neck broken
VII p 1le; Adoiph Pohl, seriously hurt; Hen
seriously hurt.
The tornado struck the city near Gratiot
street bridge and passed in a lortheasterlv
direction over the city, l%eveiling neariy
everything in its path Of about $50 wards
Vide, the principal damage being on Front
streets.
At Robertson street the tornado left
Front street, crossing the river. 1t swept
destroyed. The mill vas b adIse DANA m eeg
a az ef the Lumber in the yards picked up like
across the river. The house of Captain
Louis Charboneau was demolished.
tempting to leave her house.
A great deal of damage was done on |
Butler, Front and Inches streets. Many
houses We're torn to pieces and scattered
The home of Mrs, Anna Pohl, a widow
with three small boys, was blown down
family We're pinioned in the debris. Owing
to the darkness it was some time before as
sistance arrived. When they were taken
house, where it was found that Mrs. Pohl'ss
neck was broken. She cannot hive. Her
boys, Adolph, Henry and William, were
more or less injured, but will recover.
Mr.. and Mrs. William Kraatz were stand
ing in the front room of their house
when the tornado struck it. They made
a rush for the front door, and at the
same time the building was torn entirely
to pieces. They escaped without injury.
A new two story house owned and oc-
cupied by Russell Carter was also COM
pletely destroyed and Mrs. Carter was
badly injured by a flying board.
A frame house belonging to August Hen
KEEL was turned over on its side, resting
on the wing, the main part standing up
in the air.
Metamora. Lapeer county. suffered Sc
verely. scarcely a building being left
standing there. Some lives were lost.
The village of lakewood was badly dam
aged.
At Indianapolis Too.
INDIANAPOLIS, May 26, 1sse.-A vic
lent rain and wind storm, accompanied
by vivid flashes of lightning, prevailed
in nan sections of Indiana yesterday.
About two inches Of rain fell in an hour.
AT John T.. Rrlsh's suburban home
west of I%rvington, some fine old forest
trees were blown down. Shade and
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