FIFTEEN ARE KILLED

SERIES OF HEAVY STORMS IN NEBRASKA DEVELOP INTO TWO TORNADOES

TWENTY PERSONS INJURED

EVERY DWELLING AND OUT BUILDING IN PATH OF STORM DESTROYED

Hastings, Neb., May 26. -- A series of heavy storms, two of which developed into the worst tornadoes that have visited Southern Nebraska for years, passed over portions of Clay, Franklyn and Kearney counties in the night. Fifteen persons lost their lives, twenty odd were more or less seriously injured and a number of others received minor injuries. Every dwelling and outbuilding in the path of the tornado was blown to pieces and the financial loss thus far accounted for will reach about $60,000.

The dead are: Daniel McCurdy, Robert McCurdy, Mrs. John Wehlever, Mrs. Earl Bacon, Mrs. C. A. Tipple, near Norman; Lutheran minister, name unknown; Mrs. John Peters; Mrs. Chris. Lamers and mother, near Upland; Mr. and Mrs. James Muman and child, Frank Quigg, Flaro Palmer and John Palmer of Pauline.

Near Norman, at the home of Daniel McCurdy, a number of relatives and friends were spending the day and not an inmate escaped death or serious injury. Two miles south of Upland, German Lutheran services were being held in a schoolhouse when the storm struck and demolished it, killing four of the occupants, including the minister, and injuring a number of others. . . .

There were two tornadoes, both originating within a mile of Fairfield. The first one moved to the Northwest and the second off to the Southwest. The one to the Northwest passed close to the town of Pauline, killing six persons. Southeast of Norman, Neb., three persons living in the same house were killed. Many members of farmers' families in the track of the storm fled from their homes, while others sought shelter in cellars. Farmers driving to town report that they were unable to find members of their families from whom they were separated during the storm. . . .

The Iowa Recorder, Greene, Iowa, 27 May 1903

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TOWNS OF PAULINE AND NORMAN REPORTED DESTROYED BY FURIOUS TORNADOES

Lincoln, Neb. May 25. -- Meagre advices state that the town of Norman was also visited by a tornado, seven persons losing their lives.

Communication by wire west and south of here is impossible.

Daily Iowa State Press, Iowa City, Iowa, 25 May 1903

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The death list as far as known at present is: Near Norman: Daniel McCurdy; Robert McCurdy; Mrs. John Wehlever, Mrs. Earl Bacon; Mrs. C. A. Typple . . .

Decatur Herald, Decatur, IL, May 26, 1903

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Known dead: Mrs. Earl Bacon, Norman; Mrs. John Welliver, Norman; John McCurdy, Norman.

The Democrat And Standard, Coshocton, OH 26 May 1903
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