North Dakota Tornado - Ypsilanti, Jamestown, Langdon - May 1909

TERRIBLE CYCLONE

Most Destructive Cyclone in North Dakota’s History Occurs Last Saturday --- Many Persons Killed and Injured --- Heavy Property Loss.

The worst cyclone ever known in North Dakota occurred last Saturday afternoon. It began at Ypsilanti, a small town nine miles south of Jamestown, and swept northward to Langdon. At Ypsilanti MRS. GEORGE GRAVES and her two little daughters BERTHA and FLORENCE aged respectively, 36, 4, and 2, years were killed. At Jamestown the property loss approximated $50,000. Here the only person injured was Tobias Bedland, a Great Northern fireman, who took shelter in the cab of an engine, and was struck by flying timber. At Langdon, five persons were killed and several others severely injured. The dead are: MRS. J. B. BOYD, age 40, MRS. F. W. BLAKELY, aged 45, DONALDA SHEEHAN, aged 7, JOSEPH POWERS, JR., aged 12, and the five week old baby of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. BAIN. The property loss at Langdon is estimated at $150,000. Among the buildings destroyed are the National elevator, the Amenia elevator, the Methodist church and parsonage, and several of the finest residences in the city. The storm struck several other places in the state making the total number of deaths so far reported eleven. In Maryville, Rolette county, the large barn of John Dunlop was moved from its foundation and the barn belonging to Murtha Nolan containing five horses was carried a distance of 27 feet. The horses were not injured, but the barn is practically wrecked.

Turtle Mountain Star, Rolla, ND 3 Jun 1909

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LANGDON IS HEAVY SUFFERER

Residence Section of City in Northeastern Part of State is Wiped Out –

(News Tribune Special.)

GRAND FORKS, N. D., May 23. – Special dispatches received here show that seven persons are dead, many are dying, and over a score are seriously injured as a result of a tornado which swept over the central and northeastern sections of this state this afternoon.
The storm was especially severe at Langdon, where the residence section of the city was practically wiped out, four people killed and 20 injured. The dead are: MRS. JOSEPH R. BOYD, JOSEPH POWERS, aged 12; MRS. J. BLAKELY and the INFANT SON of Joseph Baln.
Among the injured are: Mrs. Dean and servant girl, internally injured; Mrs. Desmond, both legs and arm broken; Mrs. Lee, leg broken; Mrs. Gordon, internally injured; Mrs. George K. Price and two children, severely injured.

Forty residences were destroyed at Langdon and huge elevators were crushed into kindling wood by the terrific wind.

Casselton, Devils Lake and other towns have been completely cut off from communications and it is feared that the death list will be greatly increased by later reports.

The Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, MN 30 May 1909

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Farm House of George Graves Blown Into James River Near Ypsilanti, His Wife and Two Young Daughters Being Instantly Killed – Property Damage Is Heavy –

Grand Forks, N. D., May 23. – Special dispatches received here show that seven persons are dead, many are dying, and over a score are seriously injured as a result of a tornado which swept over the central and northeastern sections of this state this afternoon.
The tornado swept up the James river from Ypsilanti to Jamestown, demolishing farm houses and destroying much valuable property. The farm house of George Graves near Ypsilanti was blown into the James river and MRS. GRAVES and her two young daughters instantly killed.

The Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, MN 30 May 1909
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Transcribed by Jenni Lanham.