The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1899-06-01
THE STORMS PATH.
FARMS IN KENOSHA COUNTY DESC
LATED3WITH HEAVY WINDS.
MEAGRE REPORTS RECEIVED
But These Show That the Storm was the
Worst That Ever Struck the County
Charles Rogers Heavy Loser Barn
of C. H Gonnermann is Struck.

From meagre reports received in this
city this morning it appears that Ke-
nosha county was visited with the
worst storm in the history of the county
at an early hour this morning. Reports
from Pleasant Prairie state that the
storm began shortly after o'clock and
when it was over it had left track of
desolation in it's wake. Telegraph and
telephone connection with this part of
the county are completely destroyed
and it is impossible to tell what damage
has been wrought by the storm. From
the reports it is CLEANED that the path
of the storm was about mile or a mile
and half in width and was especially
severe in what is known as the old
Lightning District in the town of
Pleasant Prairie. A heavy wind began
to blow shortly before 3 o'clock and a
short time later cyclone arose. AS a
result of this wind the fences IN the
path of the storm were all destroyed,
buildings were unroofed and cattle
were killed in the fields.
The home of Charles Rogers, about
four miles west of the city, seems to
have been in the center of the storm
belt and this morning it showsa picture
of ruin and desolation. Nearly all the
buildings on the farm are more or less
affected. The large hay barn was torn
into thousands of pieces and many
parts of the buildings were carried for
over a hundred yards. The people in
the house were awakened as if the
house had been struck with lightning,
but none of them were injured in any
way. William Fisher, Jr., of this city,
was at the home of Mr.. Rogers at the
time and he states that the storm was
the most severe that he has ever seen.
The growing crops are said to be a
complete loss. Following the wind and
came a torrent of rain and
the water carried away all the vestige
of the crops that were left standing
after the fury of the cyclone had
abated. While the loss of Mr.. Rogers
is the only one from which definite
report has been received, the railway
men report that the course of the storm
extended over nearly the entire county
and others have evidently lost as
heavily as Mr.. Rogers. Many stories
are reported of cattle and small fowls
either killed by the wind or drowned by
the deluge Of water which followed the
cyclone, but as yet no loss of lite has
been reported. Mr.. Rogers was in the
city this morning TO secure men to
clear away the ruin wrought by the
storm and to rebuild the buildings He
said he could fio6 tell as yet what loss
he had sustained. /,
The storm broke over the city about
the same time and considerable damage
is reported. Many trees which have
stood for years as landmarks were
twisted up by their roots and many
places have been found where the
did considerable damage.
The most serious of these was reported
at the home of G. 81. Gonnermann on
Market street. Here the lightning
struck the barn and pony tied in one
of the stalls On the first floor Of the
building was struck by bolt and in
stantly killed. Three other horses in
the stable were also injured and it is
thought that one of them will die. The
barn did not take fire and was not
badly damaged. It is reported that
two people we're killed in Pleasant
Prairie but the report cannot be veri-
fed.