Lincoln, IL Tornado, Jun 1897

Four Instantly Killed

Twenty-Six Inmates Caught in the Wreck of a Stock Barn at Lincoln, Ills.

Lincoln, Ills., June 20.- - At 8:45 p.m., a tornado was seen approaching from the southwest. The state institution for the feeble minded containing over 700 inmates, seemed to be directly in the pat of the storm and stringent measures were quickly taken to prevent a panic. The roofs of several buildings were carried away and much damage was done about the grounds, but the 700 inmates were under perfect control of the attendants and the threatened panic and great loss of live was averted. The tornado passed on to the northeast touching next on the farm and stock barn connected with the asylum, three miles distant. In the cow barn were huddled 26 persons, including the superintendent of the farm, Jacob Wilmot, 24 pupils and an attendant. The barn was wrenched from its foundation and torn to pieces. Four of the pupils were instantly killed. The others, with the exception of the superintendent, escaped serious injury and were shortly rescued from the debris. The dead are: JAMES O'BRIEN, SYLVESTER BAKER, NEAL McKENZIE, CASTLE LeBARON. The injured: Jacob Wilmot, farm superintendent, will probably die; Lemuel Gleason, attendant, serious internal injury, may die; William Misner, pupil, severely cut, will probably recover.

The tornado passed on to the northeast, doing great damage, the extent of which is not known. The storm divided into sections and covered a wide territory. It is feared that the loss of live will be greatly enlarged when the reports are received from outside the city.

The Greeley Tribune, Greeley, Weld Co., CO, 24 Jun 1897
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