Stillman Valley, IL Tornado, May 1898

Rockford, Ill., May 19.--Eleven people are known to be dead and two score badly injured as a result of a destructive cyclone which swept over Ogle county last evening. The storm came from the southwest and was from 300 to 400 feet wide. It levelled everything in its path, demolishing hundreds of farm houses and barns, killing much livestock.

The storm was severest at Stillman Valley, where it wrecked, where it wrecked fifteen buildings, two churches and a depot.

Great damage was also done at Adeline, many buildings being razed.

The railroads report many washouts. Telegraph and telephone wires were badly affected. The list of dead and injured so far as reported from this section is as follows:

Michael Nelson, Stillman valley, instantly killed, crushed in the ruins of his house.

Mrs. M. Nelson, Stillman valley, received injuries from which she died in an hour.

Julia Johnson, Stillman Valley, ten-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, instantly killed.

Nelson, Stillman Valley, six-months-old son of Mr. and Mrs.. Nelson, killed.

W. Reese, Marion township, farm employe, received injuries from which he died in a short time.

Thomas Mullens, Adeline, Ill, instantly killed.

Three children of Mr. and Mrs. John Mass, Foreston, Ill., killed outright.

Schuntler, Adeline, Ill., killed instantly.

Mrs. Frank Chichelecher, instantly killed at Paw Paw.

The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, IN 19 May 1898

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The dead and injured..... Mike Nelson, Stillman Valley, instantly killed; Mrs. M. Nelson, received injuries. Others dead: Julia Johnson, daughter of Mrs. Nelson; six month old son of Nelson, William Rees, Marion township; Thomas Mullen, Adeline: three children of John Mass, Foreston; Schuntler, Adeline; Mrs. Frank Chichelcher, Paw Paw.

Seriously injured at Stillman Valley: Two year old daughter of M. Nelson; Mrs. M. J. Bly and baby; Mrs. Zink's young son; Peter Holquist; E. Fisher; Mrs. John Forreston. Family of Everett L. Ludwig at Forreston are all injured; also Ell Timmers, a farm hand. Many others whose names are not learned were more or less injured.

Decatur Weekly Republican, Decatur, IL, 26 May 1898

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[List of dead]

ILLINOIS

At Stillman Valley:

MICHAEL NELSON

MRS. NELSON

INFANT SON OF THE NELSONS

JULIA JOHNSON

At Byron

WILLIAM REES

At Adelin:

THOMAS MULLEN

____ SHUNTLER

At Foreston:

THREE SMALL CHILDREN OF JOHN MASS

At Pawpaw:

MRS. FRANK CHICHESTER

The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, GA 20 May 1898
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