Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-11-22

broken furniture, crumbled rock and
plaster scattered, farm produce and
dead farm animals litterine the
ground over an area a quarter mile
in width and twenty miles in length,
indicate the tremendous force with
which southern Wisconsin's worst cy-
clone cut a swath through Rock
county. killing nine persons, inluring
many more, and doing damage to the
extent of nearly S1,e00,0oO.
The Dead
Anton Schmidt, IS years old; Han
over; blown from barn and killed in
stantly
Alice Schmidt, Is years old, daugh-
ter of Anton Schmidt: blown across
the road and found nearly buried in
field.
Reggie Schmidt. II years old, sis
ter of Alice Schmidt; found dead
near her sisters body.
Albert Schmidt. IA years old; son
of Anton Schmidt.
Helen Austin. ) years old; Milton;
instantly killed.
Mrs. John Crowder. so years old;
between Brodhead and Orfordville.
Mrs. Elizabeth Proedee, between
Brodhead and OrfordviIle.
Leo Lentz. Is years old; Hanover;
blown from barn and instantly
killed.
Pensyl KorbiIl, years old; miles
~ Tn
killed when house was demolished.
The Injured:
Wenzel Kerban; condition reported
serious.
Florence Aust,a. 6 years old, Mil
ton; collarbone broken
Mrs. Alfred Austin: Milton, cut
about face. chest and side; may re-
cover
Mrs. Caroline schaffner, "a years
old; Hanover; face bruised and back
hurt; condition serious
Miss Gusta Schaffner; cut about
the face; condition not serious.
Mrs. Louis Lehman, 26 years old
injured internally.
Ralph Lehman. years old; face
cut aud bruised.
The cyclone was of the "twister"
variety. IL originated I'm the vicin-
ity of 0rfordville. twelve miles south
west of GAINESVILLE. travelled northeast
for several miles and then turned to
the east, missing this city by a mar
row margin. Its force was spent
near Milton. The greatest damage
was done near the point of origin
and at Milton.
The cyclone was accompanied by
q driving rain. There had beer Il
high wind all day and this continued
throughout the night The cyclone
lasted only few minutes. Although
il occurred at about 2:30 the
afternoon It was as dark as night
The binding downpour made search
for lie dead and dying terrible
task.
Wire service was demorallzed. and
il was not until the following day
that narrowing details of the terrible
catastrophe were obtainable. with
in a few hours the mercury dropped
from rs degrees above to nearly
zero, and it was fearful night, for
the grief stricken survivors. many
left without roof TO cover their
heads.
Entire Family Wiped Out
The Anton Schmidt family, three
quarters of mile east of Hanover.
was annihilated The father and
two daughters were instantly killed
and the sen. Albert, aged IA, has
suceumbed to injuries
Alice Schmidt, who kept house for
her father. and her younger sister
were In the house when the cyclone
struck. Their bodies were blown
across the road, the house being de-
molished over their heads. Their
necks were broken. skulls fractured,
and 1t required two men to pull the
half buried bodies from the ground
Anton Schmidt. the father, the boy
Albert and tramp were in the barn
The tramp, who was not injured
says Mr.. Schmidt was blown from
the barn door. His body was found
in the hog yard.
Mrs, elizabeth Proedee. bride oil
a few months living near orfordyille
was Instantly killed Her husband
/ stood in the barn door. saw the house
carried away and discovered tn,
body OF his bride after the cyclon,
/ passed.
Leo Lentz, 16 years old. was blown
from new barn which he was help
ing erect for James Little. six milet
northeast Of Hanover. His father
/ Theodore Lentz, who was also work
/ ing on the barn. was uninjured
Near Milton there was one death
that of Helen Austin. years old
daughter of Alfred Austin. ricl
farmer Three others were in tn,
house Wien the cyclone struck II
bat Helen was the only one killed
Mrs. Austin was seriously Injuries
and it was thought for time sh
would die. Her sister. Miss Eliza
beth Hume. was also badly hurt, bu
will recover Helen's sister Florenc
Child Killed by Stray Bullet.
Couderay -Jerda Sundherg. age