The Topeka state journal., 1899-06-14
A HEAP OF RUINS
Little Town of Herman, Neb. Is
Destroyed.
Tornado Swept Down on 1t
Last Night.
NINE PEOPLE KILLED
Few Buildings Were Left Stand
ing In the Town.
Many Lives Probably Saved by
Timely PrecautiOn.

Blair, Neb., says:
One of the worst storms that have
visited this section of the state dropped
down upon the little town of Herman,
located Is miles north of here last
night For some two hours before the
storm took a disastrous form the clouds
were of a threatening color and the air
was hot and sultry. At o'clock the
storm seemed more threatening and the
people were on their guard. At 6:15 it
was observed that the wind was blow
ing from the northwest and from the
southwest and with increasing vio-
lence.
At $50 the clouds took the funnel
shaped appearance and bore down upon
the town. The first damage done was
about four miles west of Herman at the
Hawkins farm.
Mr.. Hawkins is dead and his barns
and outbuildings are in mass of
ruins. In the village of Herman but
few buildings are left standing. The
business portion and the residences are
piled up in heap. That any escaped
is miraculous.
The bank owned and operated by
Representative ]. H. Chambers is in a
mass of ruins. 1t was a substantial
brick. His home, an elegant frame es-
capped.
Near the depot is a pile of rubbish
containing everything from pair of
boots to dead and wounded horses,
hogs, cattle, etc.
The dead and wounded thus far re-
Two special trains have been sent up
from here and the wounded are being
cared for at the Clifton hotel.
The closest estimate that can be
made is that eight persons are dead and
80 wounded.
DETAILS OF STORM.
Omaha, June IA Bee special from
Blair, Neb., says: One of the worst
storms in the history of eastern Nebras-
ka visited \ erman, Neb., last evening
about $50 p. M The storm took the
form of tornado about two miles west
short distance turned back taking a due
east course until within half a mile Of
the town.
1t then took a southeasterly course
covering strip about 25 rods wide but
wide enough to clean out the entire
town of Herman. Two or three resi-
dences still remain the outskirts of
the town though in a much damaged
condition. The Methodist church and
the school building are the only other
buildings left. The Methodist church
is being used as a hospital for the
wounded and a place for the dead.
The following is nearly a complete list
of the dead and wounded, especially
those seriously wounded:
DEAD.
A B. HOPKINS. Herman.
MRS. A. B. HOPKINS. Herman.
A. HOPKINS, son of A. B. Hopkins,
Herman.
MRS. KELSO PENDER, daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. Hopkins.
w. S. RICHARDS, postmaster of
Herman.
Mr.. HAWKINS, home four miles
west of Herman.
CHILD of S. NJ. Davis.
IA
souri, Valley.
Died at hospital since the storm:
THOMAS HINES, plasterer. Blair.
SERIOUSLY WOUNDED.
Miss Kelso Pender, head and face.
Ella Hopkins. face, body and head.
VIM. Anderson, hurt about head.
Mrs. William Anderson, head and
body, seriously.
Ed Lacket, head cut.
Caney West. seriously about body.
Mrs. E. G.. Bonneau, head.
Mrs. John K. Lingenbeard, head and
face.
Con Rankin, leg cut, body bruised,
seriously.
Earl Piper. head and arms.
Alfred Christensen.
Gus Peagan, head.
Grandma Naslor.
Mrs. Hawkins mother, four miles
west of Herman, both arms crushed.
Mrs. Hawkins, ribs broken.
Miss Hawkins, back hurt
Mr.. Yenock, two miles west of Her
man, prOba bly, fatal.
Mrs. Anderson No. 2, head and face
badly cut arm broken.
Mrs. Hopkins body was not found
until midnight, having been carried 40
rods and dropped in an orchard
The town proper is totally destroyed.
The train crew on No. 2 on the Omaha
road did some heroic work last night
They pulled into Herman just after the
storm and began the work of rescue
Nearly 100 were brought back to Blair.
where the train remained until this
morning, when it left on schedule time
taking relief and assistance to the home
less people, many of whom had been
out in the rain all night
The home of j. H. Chambers escaped
with but little harm, but his brick bank
is in one mass of ruin. A large boiler
that required two cars to transport it
to Herman was carried over a block
and deposited in the heart of the city
There was but one tornado insurance
but a trif1ing amount. The balance
is total loss.
The heavy rain that followed the
storm practically ruined what had not
been destroyed by the storm The
storm came on rather slowly, giving
most people ample time to reach their
cellars. Instead of taking a straight
back and forth. A delegation of Blair
fremen are on the ground doing patrol
duty.
A large number not reported are
slightly injured, while of those reported
one half are looked upon as having re-
ceived fatal injuries.
STRUCK DANE HOLLOW
Herman, Neb., June 14.-It is report
ed that the tornado which struck this