Louisville, KY Storm, Jun 1894

AN ELECTRIC STORM

Does a Large Amount of Damage at Louisville.

MANY HOUSES UNROOFED AND RAZED.

Electricity Causes a Panic Among Two Hundred Sewing Girls – Men Shocked and Burned by Falling Electric Wires, Etc.

LOUISVILLE, KY., June 27. – Louisville was visited yesterday afternoon by a severe wind and electrical storm, which last half an hour. Many houses were unroofed and razed and the occupants had narrow escaped. Large shade trees were blown down and several people were injured by electric wires. The storm came from the southwest accompanied by heavy rain. The path of the storm was almost identical with that taken by the fatal tornado of March 27, 1890.

Twelve persons had a narrow escape in a house at Twenty-eighth street and Greenwood avenue. Mrs. Herman Zeilch, her children and those of a neighbor were in the house when the storm struck. The roof was blown off and carried 200 feet. The occupants of the house were buried in the falling debris, but none were injured more than a few scratches and bruises.

At the jeans clothing plant of Tapp, Leathers & Co., 823 West Main street, where 200 girls and women are employed, a panic reigned. The sewing machines are run by electricity. The electric wires feeding them became overcharged and many of the girls were shocked or fainted. Mary Wagner was badly burned about the arms and neck, as was also Belle Ackerman. Both are in a serious condition, the latter being in convulsions up to a late hour. Twelve other girls were carried out insensible, but soon revived.

Directly opposite two men, George Englert and Louis Klopheke, were badly shocked and burned by fallen electric wires.

Many minor accidents are reported but no fatalities. In New Albany, Ind., directly across the river, the wind was also severe, and much damage resulted from fallen trees and flying debris.

Decatur Weekly Republican, Decatur, IL 28 Jun 1894
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Transcribed by Jenni Lanham.