Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-07-11
DAMAGE in THURSDAY
NIGHTS BIG STORMS
Inconvenience Suffered and Pro.
perty Damaged Considerable.


Last Saturday and Sunday two
storms swept over this city and caused
no little damage, but neither of these
were as severe in their results as the
one which visited this city Thursday
night and Friday the streets were lined
with debris, trees and phone and
electric light wires, as a result of the
force of the wind.
The storm which swept over Grand
Rapids struck with full force about
8:l5 O'Clock, and for fully a half hour
there was no let up. Apparently it
came from the northwest, and it was
plainly TO be seen that the full force
of the wind would not strike here.
However, there was sufficient force
to what did reach this city to cause
quite little damage.
The play of the tightening during
the storm, and long after it had SUBJ
sided, was almost continuous, and in
a number of cases itstruck with force.
The home of John Battell, struck
during the storm last Saturday was
given another shock in which the in
mates were daZed, and hole torn in
the roof and side of the building.
On Lincoln street the home of Fred
Pagel was struck, and almost in in
stant the entire building was in
flames. With the assistance Of neigh
bors and the fire department boys.
who responded Immediately, the
furniture was almost completely re-
moved, but the building was nearly
a complete wreck in few hours. In
spite of the fact that rain was falling
heavily, the fire leaped and consumed
the building with ease.
When the force of the storm struck
the city the Chautauqua was in ses-
sion in the tent on Oak street.
Fortunately there was only small
crowd present when the tent was
blown down, and those who were in
side were compelled to crawl out like
drenched rats. No one was injured,
however, and aside from the incon-
venence and the wetting, little dam
age was done.
The storm was general one, and
not confied to this city. From all
sections of the state the news of ac-
cidents, and ruin are coming in and
to what extent the tornado damaged
the different sections will not be
known for some time.
Tells Experience at Neilsville.
III. I. Ellis, advance representative
of the Pawnee Bills Wild West show,
scheduled to exhibit in this city July
24th, vas in the city Friday, hav-
ing arrived here later than he ex-
pected to, owing to the delay caused
by the tornado and cloud burst at
Neilsville Mr.. Ellis showed the
strain of his previous hours experience,
and in conversation with the RE-
PoRTER's representative he told the
following story:
"The tornado or cloud burst, or
whatever it was, struck NeilSville
while l was waiting for the train. and
in less than ten minutes there was
fully two feet and a half of water on
the depot platform. The wind was
blowing wildly, but this was nothing
to be compared to the down pour of
the rain, and the fierce display of
tightening. All around US the tighten
ing was striking, and the ugly bolts
seemed to miss US by the closest
margin, and unconsiously one ducked.
as if to dodge the thunder clap.
Houses seemed to be made of paste
board, and for hours we had to wait
until the storm was spent. We sweat
drops of blood almost. and tie ex-
perience is the only one [ have ever
had, and hope that L will never be
compelled to 60 through it again"
''After the rain had subsidized and
the storm had spent it's force, the
train started to move at a snail pace.
The engineer had to feel his way
inch by inch, and whenever culvert,
or bridge was to be crossed, the train
stopped, and the trainmen went
ahead and inspected them with the
greatest of care before we could cross.
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