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Newspaper
Topeka State Journal
Location
Topeka, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Jun 25, 1897
Page
1
A devastating Kansas hailstorm struck Topeka last night with stones as large as a man's fist. Dozens injured, roofs perforated, windows shattered, and extensive property damage reported across the city. Totals reach into the hundreds of thousands, with plants and greenhouses especially harmed.
A severe weather event caused extensive damage across Topeka with 23 electric cars affected. Chief Engineer J L Chase shut down the plant to prevent greater losses, likely saving thousands. Windows and roofs failed at government and county buildings, and glass firms rush repairs while crews inspect lines and restock panes.
An enormous hailstone, reported as the largest yet, crashed through the roof of the power house at Second Street and Jetersage in Topeka. Measurements indicate a diameter of about four inches and length near five inches, with a conjecture it formed from multiple hailstones fused together. Engineer J. I. Chase confirmed the measurements and described the remarkable impact.
C N Stockham superintendent of the Santa Fe lumber yard reports the storm caused major damage in the Oakland suburb. He says the force was greatest there and estimates $200 would not cover the damage to his yard and nearby properties.
Masun, an Santa Fe shops employee from Texas, leaped into a new cistern on East Fourth street as a tornado warning loomed. Water rose to his neck, and observers feared he would drown before Dan Tane and several men hauled him out, nearly unconscious from fright.
A storm caused extensive damage at the New Model Supply Store. Water poured through a shattered skylight above the rear goods department. Large leaks and holes disrupted departments including fixtures and the fence area. Clerks had left, hindering rapid cleanup, and repairs will likely be substantial.
Wentworth, an insurance man, says policies inspected by tornado companies do not cover loss from storms. He notes language excludes rescue costs and damages from storms, with wording clear and consistent across providers. He claims insurers will resist paying for such losses.
Reported hallstorms of unknown severity caused glass breakage and crop damage across rural areas north and southeast of Topeka. Farmers described heavy hail near Oakland and in Galland, with some injuries from hail stones including George Hungate. House windows broke. corn suffered heavy losses.
An old colored man known as Stump McMichael, who runs a small street stand on a stormy day, was struck by debris while drinking hard cider. He prayed aloud, asked forgiveness, and claimed to be saved as the threat passed, pledging not to drink again or sell liquor.
H G Denio the new painter living at 72 Adams street was struck by hail during last night’s storm. A heavy blow to the forehead knocked him down as ice rained, leaving a deep gash and a cloth bandage on his head. He recovered quickly and sought shelter in his yard.
Demand for glass today outruns Topeka supply as J S Collins and other real estate men seek plate glass from Kansas City. Broken windows on Kansas Avenue are being boarded up to speed up orders. Residents hurt by limited sizes of common glass report delays and shortages in filling requests.
A severe hailstorm struck the road to Washburn College from Fourteenth and Western Avenue injuring three girls riding in an open buggy. The oldest could not pass Ii, they received injuries as the storm tore through the area. Passersby offered help. the girls were sheltered and cared for though their names were not released.
Weather observer Jennings presents two scientific theories for the large hallstones reported last evening. He describes a horizontal whirl of the atmosphere with warm moisture-laden air rising into cool air, condensing moisture, and the resulting ice becoming frozen around the falling hail. The process, he says, explains the unprecedented size and the trail seen near the cloud tops.
Albert Overton of 1718 Buchanan street suffered severe injuries last evening when a hailstorm struck his wagon. While driving to shelter, a large hailstone struck him on the head, he fell unconscious as the team panicked and the wagon was wrecked. Two witnesses carried him indoors to recover.
A state building, noted for having more large windows than any other in the city, sustained limited damage. Five windows in the northern and western sides were broken, while the grounds showed some tree damage and stripped foliage. Officials reported the north and west facades contain about 500 large windows.
Mrs A Corning of Legend and West Streets was struck during a fall while reaching home. She was found unconscious and rushed to Christ's Hospital. Doctors initially feared skull fracture but later reported no crushing and expected a full recovery.
Ex Chief of Police suffers scalp wound and facial cuts when a bolt hits Judge Searles residence at Eighth and Fulz. The roof damaged four feet along and ceiling soaked by rain. A cottonwood nearby splintered, and another tree struck. John Carter of the Pike hotel injured by a falling rock and broken glass during the same storm. Carter sustains scalp laceration and deep hand cuts. injuries serious but not life threatening. A bleeding man was seen driving by.
Pueblo Colorado reports a severe hailstorm with stones up to 10 3 4 inches, some eight ounces, destroying structures in Klump block and fair grounds, wrecking churches and the Memphis railroad yard. No lives lost though several injured and crops damaged. storm lasted about thirty minutes with heavy rain and shattered streets.
Severe storms sweep southern Illinois and Missouri with heavy rains and strong winds. Five inches of rain fall near Cairo and Troy, aiding some crops while damaging others. Deaths reported near Albany and near St. Charles from lightning. A large grain storage tower in East St. Louis caught fire but was saved.
A peculiar Mitte creature, Clemiculus Vir descens, part reptile and part fish, is described as frequenting deep holes and baths. Rain drew hundreds of newts from the river front to the onion stockyards, spurring speculation among workers and officials about omen and origin. The water dog like water salamander, or newt, is noted by locals and stockyard hands.
Kansas City reports from Fort Scott indicate Marmaton and Mill Creeks surged after last night’s heavy rain, with six and eight hundredths inches noted by the weather observer. Two washouts stalled Memphis road between Hammond and Fort Scott, delaying passenger trains, and another washout disrupted Missouri Pacific between Richards and Metz. Creeks are rising, wind caused some damage, and no injuries or fatalities are reported.
A storm in Rich Hill Missouri tore through the northern city area on June 2 causing extensive damage. The Cherokee Lanyon Smelter Company kiln and furnace units were blown away and consumed by fire while blacksmith shops and other buildings were destroyed. The Rich Hill earning factory brick block and M. S. Cowles Mercantile Co. block were unroofed, water flooded interiors, and the Daily Te view’s building was badly damaged. The city hall and Wiseman brick block suffered major roof and wall damage.
A hurricane roared through Macon and nearby areas causing severe property damage and uprooted trees. The storm travelled from Brookfield to Clarence with widespread destruction including a train derailment near Segolia and a fatality. Pettis county crops were ruined.
Engineer David Jones dies from injuries after a storm struck La Cygne Kansas. His locomotive overturned when its cars derailed across the track from a siding. Jones, aboard the engine connected with Park Stowe Memphis line, sustained internal injuries and later perished.
General Manager Frey plans a district wide decorum and official tor of the Santa Fe railway to celebrate the Silver Jubilee. Employed staff in Kansas towns will receive notices authorizing liberty to display parades and participate in the Topeka event as officials coordinate organization of the celebration.
Washington reports Governor Bine ham of Florida sought help from the War Department to quell unrest in Key West as crowds gather after a preliminary hearing in Pendleton case. Searc tary Alger denies involvement. Authorities restrained a mob drawn by alleged racial tensions and a potential lynching attempt.
Ainsworth was pinned under a boiler at the Rolton works on Van Busets street yesterday. For several minutes two boilers pressed him as workers struggled to lift the heavy mass and free him. He was rescued within minutes and taken home, with a physician's care.
Announcement invites participation in bicycle races with free grandstand and complimentary race programs. Encourages readers to obtain Halston Yeast from grocers and follow standard product guidance.
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