Merna, IL Tornado, Jun 1902 - Heaviest Loss

The heaviest loss in proportion to population fell upon Merna, a village ten miles east of Bloomington, where the town hall, which was being used by a party of 250 for a dance, was destroyed, three of the women dancers being instantly killed by falling timbers.

They were:

MRS. EDWARD MARTIN, aged 26, wife of a well-to-do farmer, residing six miles east of Leroy, this county.

MISS LENA GAHAGAN, sister of Mrs. Martin, residing east of Leroy, aged 23.

MISS ANNA KELLY, residing with her widowed mother two miles north of Merna.

When the storm struck the building, its swaying alarmed the party of merrymakers. All made a rush for the exists [sic] and a fierce struggle ensued.

Three women were left behind and were killed instantly by falling timbers. Two sisters were found locked in each other’s arms.

Miss Kelly was being pulled through an open window by Clement SPENCER, and in another moment she would have been saved. Spencer was hurt internally and may die.

Others seriously hurt are Thomas GAHAGAN, cousin of the two sisters killed, and John KELLY, brother of Miss Kelly, one of the victims.

Fully fifty others were painfully injured, and all were taken to residences and farm houses. Many surgeons from Bloomington were summoned to dress the wounds and were kept busy during the entire day.

At Merna, in addition to the town hall, the Kinsella implement house was leveled and many other structures destroyed.

Des Moines Daily Leader, Des Moines, IA 12 Jun 1902