Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-13
Storm Damage in
Nebraska Towns
Worst in Years
Telegraph, Telephone and
Electric Wires Are Down
Miles Of Poles DE.
sroyed by Wind.

htNlhatts shtNn HhEff'
TeleggauA)-A regular western Ne-
braska blizzard struck kimbail sun
day and lasted iill about Monday
afternoon. Aiter the snow melted
i, leit about one.hali inch OF moist
ure. Tuesday night another nice
snow iell al over the county. This
will insure plenty OF moisture ioF the
winter " heat, which is in i'ne con-
dtion. The blizzard Was SO severe
sunday that an employe OF the city
ran into a telephone pole and de-
niolished the city truck, No one was
seriously hurt. bu, John Matloek, the
driver, had his ribs cracked,
Damage at kearney.
Kearncy. Neb., April l2.-lSpe-
e.ai)-A wfeekage OF telephone.
telegraph and electric wires. with
splintercd poles and cross beams at
regular intervals, marks the path OF
the Monday storm up the Platte wall
ley. Practically all evidence OF the
heavy snowfall. which accompanied
The storm and was directly response
bic for the heavy damage, has disap-
pcarcd before a summers sun.
Hundreds OF linemrn. employees oil
the Western Union. Postal, North
western Bell phone system, and the
local phone company, are spread
over the country between Gibbon
and Darr. beyond Lexington, work
ing desperately in an effort. to re-
establish communication. il only
temporarily. These men know their
ground. scores OF them still beng
engaged in repairing damage caused
BY storm three weeks ago and
seeing all their work Since that time
wiped out Monday night. ..... !.
The Western Union announced
that AT poles were down between
Gibbon and Darr, carrying with
them hundreds OF miles OF wire. The
local phone company officials state
their damage will greatly exceed that
of three weeks ago, when they suf-
fered loss OF approximately $780,
600. During thas storm the other
lines joint loss was estimated at
quarter million dollars. They Jared
worse by the Monday storm. accord
ing to advices available here. and 1t
will be weeks before normal service
can be resumed.
While some electric wires were
down. the big extension leaders with
held the immense weight OF tons OF
snow and the strain OF 4O-mile
wind, and damage suffered by this
company is confined locally.
Farmers see the storm results from
a different point of view and those
making their way to town radiated
smiles over the much needed precipi-
tation. ss, 4
Snow Helps Crops.
Upland, Neb., April l2.-(Special) |
a wet snow fell here. 1t is
thought that fully an inch of moist
urc fell. This will be great help
to get the ground ready for this
years crops. Some OF the winter
wheat is looking well, some fields are
only fair, and others the wheat is not
worth saving. Barley and oats are
being sown. Some summer falloW7
ing or dry farming wheat came
through the winter in fine shape and
is proving that, that is the proper
method for wheat raising in this
part Of the state,
Cambridge Damage Heavy.
Cambridge, Ncb.. April l2.-(Spc-
citl)--About the worst blizzard in |
the history of the country hit this |
section. 1t started with terrific
dust storm. Later i'll the day it
started to rain and toward night
turned to snow. The chief damage |
was to telephone and light wires.
The damage was not so severe i'll
town where trees and buildings pro-
tected the wires. but in the country |
all lines are demoralized. Many |
miles of Western Union line have
practically every pole down and
there is not wire connection OF any
kind out of town.
During the storm the two-story |
bunk house on the Mouselranch was
completely destroyed by fire, origin |
unknown. Lower part OF this was
used as garage and two cars were
burned.
Laurel Phones Wrecked.
/ Laurel, Neb, April 12.-(Special.)
The worst snow Of the season and
worst. at this season, ever expert
cnccd here ragged Monday. A heavy
rain and windstorm turned into
slect and snow. All telephone COM
to the depots and out
lying districts were cut off. Snow
was nearly foot deep on levels.
Telephone lines are a complete
wreck, also many electric light wires
laying on ground. Wires leading to
depot are lying in mass of wreck
age across streets.
The telephone building was badly |
wrenched by the pull OF heavy wires
laden with snow and ice. The end |
was threatened all night with being
torn out at juncture of wires.
Lights Shut Down.
Pierce, Neb., April l2.-(Special) y
The worst storm of many years hit
Pierce. The high wind and heavy
wet snow did much damage. Teie-
phone and electric light lines are
mostly on the ground No telegraph
service is available. Reports are that
telephone and electric service will |
not be continued for several days.
.incnln Firm LOW Ridder