Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-05-04
A TERRIFIC STORM.
Dwellings Demolished and Stock
Killed Near St. Edward, Neb.
ENGINEER on The NJ, K.& 7. KILLED.
An Extensive Prairie Fire Near Mitchell,
I'D. Two Men Burned 10 Death
Two WeIl-ShOOters Blown
to Pieces.

st. Edward, Neb., April 27.-A ter
rifle windstorm, approaching almost to
the fury of hurricane, swept over
this place last night, doing great
deal Of damage to property and injur-
ing several persons. The wind was ac-
,ompanied by hail, which covered the
ground to the depth of two inches.
Some of the hailstones measured five
inches in diameter The storm began
a little after six O'Clock, when a
threatening cloud appeared, coming
from the south. When about q. miles
from town it blew the house of Mr.
Russell to pieces. The family saw ii
coming and took refuge in a cave and
thus escaped injury. Trees foot in
diameter were broken off or uprooted.
The house was total wreck
and the household goods were
distributed over an area of a
mile. The barn and granaries were
destroyed and considerable live stock
killed. Leon Sisson, living near had
his barn, granary and kitchen torn
down. At the farm of W. A. Me-
Cutchin, IA little farther on. the fury of
the storm was the worst. Mrs. Sprague,
of Sioux City, the aged mother of Mrs.
McCutchin, was in the cellar when the
storm struck the place. She was struck
in the back by flying debris and seri-
ously hurt. Mrs. McCutchin was also
seriously injured, as was old lady Me-
Cutchin Mr.. McCutchin' mother. The
house was wrecked, trees torn up by
the roots and u lot of stock killed
The storm passed to the north
west, tearing down fences and
destroying the slaughter-house of
?. Il. Fisher: also leveling
the Union Pacific telegraph line. The
storm barely missed the town, tearing
down John Tolman's barn in the out
skirts. John Adams lost his barn, as
did W. II. Nealy. The latter was in
his barn when the wind struck it and
was hurt by flying debris. The roof of
Nels Hallenbach's house was torn off
and the windows blown out, The
house Of James Cummings, living two
miles east was totally wrecked and
several Of the family slightly hurt.
Everybody in st. Edward went into
caves or cellars. Hail broke most of
the windows in town. Meager reports
Of damage come in from the country,
where il is feared that some lives have
been lost,
ENGINEER ON THE NJ. X. a 7. KILLED.
South McAlester, |. r., April q. w.
Il. Stafford, an engineer ON the Mis-
souri,, Kansas a. Texas railway, was
run over and instantly killed at Oak
taha yesterday. Stafford was uUder
his engine making some repairs when
another engine backed up against his
engine, showing it forward. The
drivers cut off both of his legs, killing
him instantly. The remains were
taken to Denson Tex, for burial.
Az EXTENSIVE PRAIRIE FIRE.
Mitchell, y. d., April 21.-A prairie
fire started ID miles south Of here Tues
day and up to last night had burned
over about $4,000 acres of farm land,
destroying great quantity of hay and
hay land. Two men, Frank Howard
and Allie Smith, were caught in the
flames and burned to death
wEll-suoorERs BLOWN TO PIECES.
Bradford, Pa, April 27.-rwo we'll
shooters, Joseph Smalley and Daniel
Lane, were yesterday blown to frag-
ments and George R. Gibbons and
John Knox were injured by the eypo-
sion of torpedo near the Kinsua via
lupt M miles south