Storm Does Damage

A terrific hail storm followed by a heavy rain fell here Friday night doing considerable damage to crops and buildings.

Early in the evening the hail began to fall a short distance north of town and traveling in an easterly direction, destroying much small grain, damaging windows and roofs of houses, and causing the unsheltered stock to suffer. In several instances hail measuring from 7 to 12 inches in circumference was found.

During the night a sever electrical storm, accompanied by a heavy wind began, causing Plum creek to leave its banks and flood the low lands, washing out 800 feet of railroad track at this poing, tearing down fences, etc. In the residences occupied by C. E. Duncan and Dr. A. E. Reeves on the south side of the creek 14 to 18 inches of water was found, doing much damage to their furniture. An effort was made to inform them of their danger but it was impossible for anyone to cross the stream. Fortunately, however, Dr. and Mrs. Reeves awoke and did everything possible to save their belongings, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were not so fortunate knowing nothing of the water until they awoke in the morning.

A washing machine belonging to the Duncans was found near H. B. Taylor’s farm, a distance of about three miles; a barrel of oil belonging to the electric light plant was located about a mile and a half from town; a milk cow belonging to S. K. Brown was drowned; H. N. Stilley had about seven tons of alfalfa scattered throughout the country; five coal bins belonging to the J. S. Hatcher Lumber company were completely washed from their foundations, scattering coal along the ground; the foot bridge across the creek at the depot was washed away; cellars were filled with water and debris, and much corn in the elevators was practically destroyed.

Several reports of crops damaged by hail come from the south country but in the territory north of Gothenburg the heaviest losses are reported, as the storm was much more severe in that locality.