Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-04-29
OKLAHOMA SEA.
Terrible Climax Of a Week Of Unpre-
cedented Rain StOrmS---El Reno,
Oklahoma, Terribly ScOurged by
the Elements.

Oklahoma, Terribly ScOurged Dy
the Elements.
El Reno. April 2S.-For the first time
since the white man settled in the Can
adiau valley, twenty-nine years ago,
this mornings sun sent it rays over
an Oklahoma sea. The final storm and
flood came as a fitting climax to week
OF unusually heavy rains and dam
aging floods.
The dry spell was broken Saturday
when a fierce storm that turned the
streets into torrents, washed away
crossings, tore out sewers and moved
small buildings, broke upon the town.
Saturday at midnight the people were
frightened nearly to distraction when
a hurricane blowing 46 miles an hour
drove binding sheets of water through
the roofs of their already damaged
houses and threatening to carry away
their possessions. They were driven
in terror to their storm cellars and
caves and spent the night in momentary
expectation of being borne away by
storm or food.
Sunday morning shone bright and
clear and the guage showed a fall OF
81 inches since Saturday noon. The
streets had been plowed WlJh gulches,
small buildings toppled over and here
and there bits of furniture and other
household effects foated about.
The valley of the Canadian which
Saturday morning had been a beautiful
stretch of farms and homes. on Sun
day displayed long network Of lakes
and islands dotted with half flooded
houses. and horses and cattle struggling
FOR PLACES OF SAFETY.
Yesterday noon a heavy cloud swept
IN from the west and another deluge
snread over the town. The water fell
in perfect sheets and by SIX o'clock the
rainfall amounted to over five inches.
4 calm abouut : o'clock brought at
tention to an intensely black and mon
strous cloud moving toward the city
from the west 1t was a typical tornado
indicated by the peculiar whistle of the
wind which almost universally accom-
NAMES a twister. The cry get under
cover" arose on all sides and the streets
were soon filled with running, shouting
DeopIe seeking caves or cellars.
Stores and homes were deserted and
the people huddled together awaiting
the blow. The centre Of the storm
nassed over the southeastern corner Of
the town. striking the hills across the
valley wrecking all it touched.
With the tornado came the heaviest
fall Of water ever recorded here in
like neriod over two inches falling in
thirty minutes.
All dav the river had been rising at
. friehtful rate, reaching the sleepers
of the railroad bridge and moving 1t
out Of line. The wagon bridge went
ont when the water reached its floor
and the bridge and drift, serving as an
obstruction. forced the water out over
the bottoms. washing out crops, moving
houses and drwning stock.
A dam on the Ellison ranch save way to
The torrent and carried ont a bridge on
the Fort Reno road. swept the fair grounds
clean and flooded the yards of the Choc-
tav railroad. Rising into the houses of
the bottom farmers it compelled them to
desert their places and ondeavor to save
-befr lives. The rescue of many families
was made at great danger to the rescuers.
marty consisting of a. E. Woodliffe,
Pete Carr. Henry Schaeffer. Charles Jus
tin. James Tompkins. Rev Faiher Han
and others Immediately SET 10 work rescu-
ing the unfortunates.
r, tho home Of Thomas Palmer the lat
-s~.s 1rifs and several children were res
r,,e5 from the tons of bureaus just as the
water was creeping up TO their feet. They
had been screaming for help for some
time and IL was with dllhcAilN that 'Ie|
we're removed to the improvised RATS of
the rescuers and taken to dry land.
Tho families of Mrs Hail. Tom Potter.
C5l. Severy and Mrs. Black We're rescued
from their homes i'm a similar manner.
In each instance the water had swept
through the windows and was gradualy
rising.
During the trip a raft Of railroad ties
wen, TO pieces on a submerged wire fence
and the entire party was precipita-ed into
tbe water They were all saved.
4 little child of Frank Holman fell into
81 washed out crossing and was drowned.
N 4. Bickford. milkman nearly lost
-, life i'm irving TO save the little one.
Tbs ice plant was flooded and Harry
Prsdford. the manager. narrowly escaped
drowning.
Lightning played havoc striking the