The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-07
DAY OF CYCLONES
Storm of Wind and Hail in Cen
tral Kansas
Leaves a Trail of Death Along
Its Route.
ELLINWOOD TRAGEDY.
George Helfrich and Wife Kill.
ed Near That Town.
ELLINWOOD TRAGEDY.
Many Other Casualties From
Funnel-Shaped Clouds.
Destruction of Buildings and
Crops Along Union Pacific.

ElinWOOd, Kan, May IA terflnc
cyclone passed over this section of the
state about $50 o'clock Sunday after
noon, doing it's worst work in Logan
township and particularly in place
known as Cheyenne bottom. There the
house of George Helfrich was blown
down and both he and his wife, who
were inside, were instantly killed A
daughter-in-law and one of her children
who We're visiting were seriously but
not fatally injured.
Several other persons in the same
neighborhood were badly injured and it
is not improbable that several deaths
may result.
The wife of William Helfrich, who
lived in that neighborhood, was so Dadly
injured that her recovery is deSpalred
of and her child is also in a precarious
condition. This residence was totally
wrecked.
Apparently the cyclone formed few
miles south of this place. When It
passed here it was very high. but still
quite noticeable in the west end OF town.
It maintained this relative position uh-
til it reached the Cheyenne bottom
where it took a downward ShOot anu De
gan its awful work of destruction
The first place to suffer was the home
of George Helfrich. 1t was completely
destroyed, timbers being torn apart ana
shingles and lumber carried a long
yays. The inmates had no warning
of the coming of the cyclone until II
VISA right upon them. Then escape was
impossible Mr.. and Mrs. Helfrich We're
instantly killed, while their son 5 WlAe
was left with a broken leg.
Then the fury of the storm descended
upon the house of William HelIrlcn.
Here the wreckage was complete. Ihe
house was torn apart so that 1t pore
hut little semblance to it's former self
Mr. Helfrich was not seriously 1n1ureu'
but Mrs. Helfrich and her child We're
badly hurt Mr.. Helfrich'S barn IS noun
ing but a pile of lumber. while the tour
horses and the several head of cattle
and hogs that were inside were instant
" killed.
In different section the storm vent
ed it's fury upon the 1ar1n oL -, 80
into a thousand pieces, every improve
ment on the place except the dwelllhg
house meeting the same fate
Frank Hamnaika lost his home, Dul
60 far. as is known at this hour no one
is known to have been injured there
little further on, was the farm OF
John Hammika. There the Jury OF the
storm was at it's worst. Barn and renee
1Te1a ,1nrooted and thrown about like
so many shavings. Hardly thing was
left standing.
Almost simultaneously another lorna
do formed about four miles east q
Great Bend and moving in northeast
erlv direction demolished fences ana
harms and killed considerable livestock
Here William Welchs farm house and
| buildings were demolished but the ram
Another storm at about the same time
| struck near Pawnee Rock, 13 miles
| southeast of Great Bend, and wrecked
several buildings and destroyed crops:
| Considerable damage with no loss OF
| life is also reported at and near Claim,
| in the nOreast port of Barton county
| and at Frederick in the western part OF
| Rice county Rain and hail following
| the storms did great damdge 10 cIOPs
in some localities
FROM ELLSWORTH.
E711sworth. Kan. May An unusual
| " hot and sultry afternoon was follow
| ed by several cyclones in this part OF
| tbe state last evening between 5 and
o'clock. Passengers on the west bound
| train which reached here at 3 O'CLOCK
| report no less than five separate cy-
| clones seen between Brookville and this
| point.
! and east of town, passed almost due
west and at no time coming nearer
than one mile. It dissolved or spent Its
force and disappeared couple OF
miles northwest of town. In many
| nIaces the ground along its patch is
torn up. several sheds and barns were
picked up and blown to pieces, and one
house a mile north, untenanted at the
time, was totally destroyed. No Other
damage was done
FROM KANOPOLIS..
Kanopolis, Kan, May Sunday wa!
one of the hottest days ever experienced
in this section. About 4 o'clock a small
cloud passed over Kanopolis and a fun
mel shaped cyclone suddenly developed
into four large clouds, two Of which
Travelled side by side for about 25 miles
only meager reports have yet come in
but one of the storms is said to hav
torn down the building, stables, graner
les and wind mill on the Waite farm
three miles north of town. Heavy hal
followed the wind.
AROUND SALINA.
salina. Kan, May About $50 Sun
day afternoon four tornadoes could b
seen about go miles west of here. N
: damage No damage from there ma
been reported.
A storm is reported west of Fredericl
and some damage is reported at Min
neapolis, but there is nothing authen
tic.