The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-05-08

One OF the worst storms this vii
, lage has seen for many years passed
over here Sunday afternoon. Shortly
after noon clouds began to form In
the southwest and rain fell In torrents
accompanied by hail. About two
o'clock a small funnel shaped cloud
was noticed and many Of the citizens
watched II as 1t slowly. at first made
its way northeastward. Suddenly with
great velocity II began TO swirl about
and without warning swept down
upon the east part OF the village.
Buildings were demolished and trees
and telegraph poles blown down.
The damage done on the west
side OF the railroad tracks was slight
with the exception of Mrs. Troska's
At George Kremer's walk leading
from the house to the barn was torn
up and scattered about the yard.
George Phillips just north OF Krem-
er's had shingles blown from the
roof OF the house, large door from
the barn, and another small building
blown over. Slight damage was also
done to other buildings along the
east side OF the street. At the
Julia Troska place a barn and sew.
eral smaller buildings were de.
stroyed. One COW was killed out
right and two others sustained In
juries. Dead chickens were strewn
all along the path OF the storm.
Telegraph Poles Ripped.
For a distance OF about half a
mile all telegraph poles were blown
down and telegraph and telephone
lines were put out OF commission
After crossing the railroad tracks
the clouds lowered and took sheds
and windmill at the Albert Cent?
,stockayrds. Next the Fiyol house.
The latter place was lifted from. its
foundation and after turning and
twisting In the air for several mo-
ments was dashed to pieces. Every
bit OF furniture was completely de-
molished. pieces being strewn for
several rods. Mr.. Fiyol who was
living alone In the house, became
alarmed at the advancing cloud and
fed from the house thus saving his
life. A small barn was also totally
demolishe. The damage at this
place was approximately $1,000.
Sought Cellar For Safety.
The next place struck was the
residence occupied by August Peal.
Mrs. Peal and the children had
driven to Easton and Mr.. Peal was
alone at home. Noticing the ap-
preaching storm he entered the eel
lar for safety. Hardly had he got.
ten to safety when the wind struck
and on emerging from the cellar a
few minutes later he found the inside
OF the house completely destroyed.
Every window In the house was
broken, curtains blown from win.
dows; furniture was broken up and
the place appeared to have been
Quilted by fire. Entering the yard he
found barns and sheds destroyed
Chickens and machinery were scat.
tered all about. A large apple orchard
on the south side of the yard pre-
sented q woebegone appearance
nearly all the trees having been
broken down by flying debris. =.
The Manders residence was not
wholly out of the path OF the storm.
Considerable damage was done to
one corner OF the house. Also the
interior OF one room was badly de-
molished. Several small buildings
were wrecked. and the orchard
suffered considerable, limbs being
stripped from the trees. The yard
was also strewn with debris.
The Storm Abated.
At this point the storm abated
somewhat but continued on its north
easterly course, striking the William
Fischer place about half a mile
distant. Here shingles we're blown
from the roof OF the house, and a
number OF small buildings blown
down, two OF them being completely
demolished. others being more shell
tered by trees, were not SO badly
damaged. Mr.. Fischer had moved
a small building onto his place and
finished shingling the roof on Sat
urday. After the storm no trace OF
the building was to be found.
At the John Neubauer farm about
four miles northeast OF town
windmill was blown down and a hay
stack scattered. Owing to the tele-
phone lines being out OF commission
we have not been able to learn how
far the storm swept before its fury
was spent. Several other farmers
living in the path OF the storm, re-
port losses but all are slight.
Was Worst For Years.
This Is the worst storm which has
visited this vicinity since a cyclone
swept over the country several miles
south Of here about twenty years
ago when several people were
killed and a territory several miles
In extent. totally devastated.
II is almost miraculous that no
lives were lost in today's storm.
Vast throngs of people focked to
the scene OF the disaster and though
there were Intermittent showers OF
rain for more than an hour. all were
anxious to lend such assistance as
was In their power.
Considerable excite was