USA > Iowa > Calhoun County > Pomeroy > The story of a storm, a history of the great tornado at Pomeroy, Calhoun County, Iowa, July 6, 1893 > Part 14
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One poor fellow, who was severely wounded in the tornado, declares that he was given about two dozen
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drinks of liquor on the night of the storm, which was really more than he needed or cared for. It seemed that everybody who came along had a bottle and insisted upon his taking a drink, and he had just enough strength left to drink and not enough to explain matters or to resist the attentions of his well-meaning persecutors.
Relics by the carload, and of every imaginable kind, were taken from Pomeroy by visitors. One gentleman took home the limb of a tree about which a tuft of a woman's hair was wound so tightly that it penetrated the bark. Another relic highly prized by the finder was a block of wood in which a clock wheel was firmly im- bedded. A Des Moines lady refused to be comforted until she had secured a promise from J. E. O'Brien, who . was acting as Mayor Stadtmueller's confidential clerk, to have loaded on a flat car and shipped to her home a large maple tree, more tlian a foot in diameter, that had been uprooted by the tornado.
Domestic animals that escaped with their lives were pretty well subdued by the experience of passing through a tornado. Wounded horses followed the searching parties in their rounds among the ruins in Pom- eroy, neighing after them piteously. One man assisted in carrying in the wounded and dead, driving to his car- riage a young horse that had not been driven before, and the driver did not discover the fact until afterward. The relief committee arranged for the use of a pasture near town, where maimed animals were kept until their owners were prepared to care for them.
Two ice houses in Pomeroy were in the path of the tornado. The buildings were wrecked and the ice left uncovered and pretty well scattered. The relief com- mittee took charge of what could be saved and made use
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of it in caring for the wounded, afterward making the owners a liberal allowance for what had been used.
W. E. Davy, the Illinois Central's station agent at Pomeroy, was among those most sorely afflicted by the disaster, and was, of course, relieved from his official duties during the trying times immediately following. Mr.' Davy and wife escaped injury, their home having been only slightly damaged, but a sister and two brothers lost their lives in the terrible storm.
J. A. Davy, Chris McCulloch and Henry De Marr were at Moody & Davy's ranch, twelve miles north of Pomeroy, the night of the storm. A messenger reached them about midnight with the awful news, and they were soon afterward at the scene of desolation. Andy Ander- son went several miles north and thence west to Fonda, notifying people in the country of what had happened at Pomeroy. The people along his route responded promptly, and did all they could do to aid their stricken neighbors.
D. L. O'Brien took his wife, child and father to the residence of E. O. Davy shortly before the tornado reached Pomeroy, but returned to close some of the win- dows of his house. The storm struck before he was able to get out of his house again, but his place was only par- tially wrecked, while the Davy residence was completely demolished, and three of its occupants fatally injured. Mr. O'Brien found his wife in a dying condition, and, after conveying her to the Richards Hotel -five or six blocks away -returned to hunt for his child. He searched for a half-hour or more in the vicinity of the ruined home where the babe and its mother had been, but without success, and sick at heart, he finally aban- doned the search and started to return to the hotel. He had gone but a short distance in that direction when he
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stumbled over the dead body of a child, which in the intense darkness he was unable to recognize. He carried it with him to the hotel, however, and upon reaching the light found that he held the earthly remains of his own dead babe.
One would naturally presume that sick persons would suffer from the shock of a tornado experience a great deal more than those who were in good health. Ordinarily, perhaps, this would be the case, but several instances are related wherein the experience seemed rather to hasten the recovery of people who were ill. One Pomeroy lady was so low with some chronic trouble that watchers were on hand to attend hier the night of the tornado, and it was thought she would not live long even under the most favorable circumstances. Her home was swept away and the occupants were all injured more or less seriously, though none were fatally hurt. The injuries of the lady herself were slight and from that time hier recovery from her illness was very rapid and she was soon well and strong, much to the surprise of her friends and medical attendant.
John A. Peterson, who lives in the extreme north- eastern part of Pomeroy, did not know that anything unusual had happened the night of the tornado until his son Gus came over and informed him that their home was gone and the family were almost without clothing. The senior Mr. Peterson says that he became so excited that he hardly knew what he did, but in some way he. got down town with a team and wagon very quickly and was first on the ground with a conveyance to help carry the wounded to places of shelter. Nearly all the horses in town having been either killed or turned loose, and vehicles mostly all broken up, it was a serious matter for
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a time to get other means than improvised stretchers for carrying in the wounded and killed.
People were so thoroughly plastered with dirt, after having gone through the Pomeroy tornado, that friends were scarcely recognizable to each other except by the sound of their voices. Jacob Paap, one of the Pomeroy victims, found himself at the home of Fred Grobe, a neighbor, where he had been carried after the storm in an unconscious condition, but soon recovered sufficiently to take notice of his surroundings. Seeing a lady near him who was silent and apparently in some pain, he wondered who she was and if she were badly hurt. Upon addressing her he was greatly surprised to discover that she was his wife.
One of the freaks of the tornado was to be noticed at Doctor Martin's corner in Pomeroy, where, although the buildings were not damaged extensively, there was suf- ficient force in the current from the northeast to carry a two-by-six scantling from the lumber yard across the way and drive it endwise through the corrugated-iron covered east wall of the Martin building, just grazing a large mir- ror on the inside, that part of the building being occupied by Fred Sisco as a barber shop. Mr. Sisco vacated his shop for three weeks after the storm to give the post office quarters until a new building could be erected.
J. M. O'Brien was mortally wounded at the E. O. Davy residence, but he lived until some time the following day, and his son, J. E. O'Brien, the mail clerk, suc- ceeded in reaching Pomeroy in time to see his father alive. The old gentleman was quite feeble and it seemed to be nothing more nor less than a strong exercise of will power that enabled him to survive the shock as long as he did. Upon his son's arrival at his bedside, the dying father said : " I have been waiting for you all this
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time, James ; now I must go." Then he quietly passed away.
Another evidence of the tornado's many currents moving in different directions was to be found in the block where Charles Lockie and Ed Troon lived. The Lockie barn was carried south, and Troon's barn, across the alley only twenty feet away, was taken in a north- westerly direction. A bin of loose corn in Lockie's barn was carried some distance with one wall of the barn and not badly scattered.
Arthur Freeman's house in southwest Pomeroy, was moved from its foundation three feet east and about the same distance north, and the west window was blown in, . but none of the family were hurt and not even a lamp was broken in the house. Mr. Freeman started to the barn to get some nåils with which to fix up the windows tempor- arily, but found that the barn had disappeared. Then he looked toward the town and discovered nothing but ruins as far as the eye could reach.
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THE NEW POMEROY.
The person who was in Pomeroy within a few days or weeks after the great disaster, upon visiting the town three months later, would have found as many surprises on this later visit as were to be encountered amid the scenes of ruin and desolation abounding upon the first, although of an entirely different nature. One who viewed the scenes directly after the storm would naturally presume that the victims could never recover from the terrible results inflicted upon them ; that, aside from the discour- aging pecuniary losses sustained, the scenes of their former happy homes would now contain nothing but hor- ror for them.
But such, evidently is not the case. Home is home, no matter to what extent it may be devastated or what discouragements met in making it all that is desired in a home. The afflicted people of Pomeroy did not become wholly disheartened, as they had so much reason for doing, but, encouraged by the sincere sympathy and sub- stantial aid so freely tendered them by their less unfor- tunate brothers and sisters throughout the state, they soon recovered their equilibrium, after the first shock was over, and set about to rebuild their storm-swept houses and build anew their shattered fortunes. Hope, almost gone, returned again, and bodies recovering from injuries all but fatal found new energies to battle triumphantly . against untoward fate. The results are that in an incred- ibly short time the new Pomeroy bids fair to outdo the old. Aching hearts, which vacancies in the family circle
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so touchingly explain, have not thus quickly been healed, it is true, but the material wants of the survivors have been so well provided for that this, with their own increased exertions, is fast obliterating the outward marks of the terrible destroyer which so recently visited this beautiful town. New houses have been erected on the sites of those demolished - and in many cases the new are better than the old- the streets and grounds have been cleared of the piles of débris whose presence told such a woful tale ; business, for a time wholly or practi- cally suspended, is being carried on with more than old- time vim, and, instead of the stricken town, the scene has changed to that of a newly-built young city of more than ordinary thrift and prosperity.
This ability to recover quickly from great calamities is as commendable as it is characteristic of American communities, and Pomeroy is quietly demonstrating her right to stand at the head of notable examples of this wonderful recuperative power.
May the new Pomeroy meet with all of the successes, and none of the misfortunes, of the old.
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THE DES MOINES WOMEN'S RELIEF TRAIN.
[The following sketch was written by Mrs. Addie B. Billington, one of Des Moines' most gifted writers. The smoothness and gracefulness of her style is generally acknowledged. The beautiful poetry is also her own. Mrs. Billington was one of the most enthusiastic workers on the Relief Train.]
Peaceful and fair, at early day, Bathed in rich sunlight, Pomeroy lay, While graceful groves threw ample shade O'er happy haunts where children played. And noon's glad hour saw every trace, Of thrift and plenty 'round the place ; For tall church spires and schoolhouse dome Proclaimed : "Good morals here find home !"
But nightfall brought the whirlwind's wrath, With ruin spread along its path - And evening lamps went out in gloom, Where old and young found hasty tomb. Misfortune, death, on every hand ! How shall the living long withstand The burden of their loss and grief? O, pitying Heaven, send quick relief !
Then dawned humanity's bright morn, Gifts and good cheer were speedy borne ; And women's hearts were moved to show Such wealth of love as sisters know.
There have been many occasions where wholesale destruction, from fire, flood, or whirlwind, aroused the sympathies of an outside public and brought timely con- tributions of money, provisions and clothing. Seldom, however, has there been prompt, organized action, which carried at the right moment just the articles or quality of
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help needed. In this particular, perhaps, the Des Moines Women's Relief Train was among the first of its kind on record.
When the news of the Pomeroy tornado came, the citizens of Des Moines, acting on their own generous impulses, and in accordance with the call of the governor of Iowa, began collecting and forwarding supplies. But these, coming from many sources, and with some delay in transportation, might not have proven altogether the blessings that were at the moment intended. Then it was that a noble-hearted woman of Des Moines con- ceived the idea of organizing a circle of ready workers, who should go out with materials at hand, and from knowledge gained at the scene of disaster, be able to render the gifts sent doubly valuable. This thought came as an inspiration, born of the desire to console the women of Pomeroy ; since, "As only a woman knows a woman's need," it was believed that the presence of a company of women would tend to soothe the sorrows of these suffering sisters, while hearts and hands were in lively cooperation.
To further this kind intention, Mrs. John Wyman made her plan known through an appeal in the city papers, in which she urged that women equip themselves with sewing machines, and necessary accompaniments, take provisions and bedding (comforts and pillows) to be donated to the sufferers, and go immediately to Pomeroy. Twenty-three women answered this call in person, and nearly as many more signified their willingness to follow, if summoned. The volunteers enrolled at the Commer- cial Exchange, headquarters for the shipment of goods, under the efficient charge of Secretary Brown, the move- ment meeting with the warmest approval of Senator Gar- lock, from Pomeroy.
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As soon as Superintendent C. S. Gilmore, of the Rock Island Railroad, heard of this project, he very promptly placed two cars - a passenger, coach and baggage car - at Mrs. Wyman's disposal, together with a sufficient number of cots for sleeping accommodations. He also interested the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and the use of their road from Tara to Pomeroy, and side track at the latter station, was cheerfully accorded.
On Tuesday, July 11, four days after the eventful storm, all provisioned and equipped, with Superinten- dent Gilmore's passes in hand, and with only good motives to guide them in the novelty of the situation, this band of worthy women started on their way. On board the train it was suggested that we pledge ourselves with badges, so the gentlemanly conductor telegraphed to Tara for ribbon to be brought to the station. The red ribbon was cut in short lengths, and a teacher, who thought she could write while the train was in motion, accepted the pen and ink furnished by the brakeman, and soon handed to each member her badge, on which was written the home word, " DES MOINES." During the ride to Pom- eroy these women, who represented no particular church nor society, and who had hitherto been unacquainted, many of them even by name, became deeply interested in one another through the common cause in which they were enlisted.
Upon arrival at Pomeroy this uniformed band marched to headquarters and reported for duty. The reënforce- ment was warmly welcomed by officials and citizens, and the feeling prevailed that our mission was understood. The freedom of the village was accorded us, and separat- ing into groups, a tour was made among the families of the stricken district and private wants ascertained. On the very outskirts individuals were found whose needs
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had not been inade known because of inability to report to the committee in charge. A pathetic incident was the meeting with an elderly woman, who had supported her- self by weaving until shortly before the storm. When the fury of the wind robbed her one-room cottage of its roof, she sat upon her bed with an umbrella held above her to keep off the rain, and in terror of darkness waited until help came to her. The next day, when this woman, bowed with the weight of eighty years, came to us, lean- ing on the arm of a neighbor, it was a precious privilege to be able to supply her from our liberal stores. Before we left the town we had the added pleasure of learning that friendly hands had repaired her dwelling and placed comforts within. The hospitals visited presented scenes of suffering and patient endurance which nerved us anew to the accomplishment of our duties.
Not having received any orders from the local boards, the Des Moines party began work at 7 o'clock Wednesday morning, under the able guidance of the president, Mrs. John Wyman. The cots had been removed from their resting places on top of the car seats, and stowed in the baggage car ; breakfast had been hastily disposed of, and now operations began in earnest. Some of the seats were turned to make room for the six sewing machines, and the same number of skillful dressmakers took their places to cut and apportion the sewing among their attendants. Meantime preparations were going on in the baggage car, through the efforts of Mr. W. A. Gray, husband of one of our number, and Mr. C. D. Miller, who happened to be on the train, and ten large boxes containing clothing were opened and contents made ready for distribution. This involved the assorting of a conglomerate mass of bedding and clothing, the latter consisting of every arti- cle known to modern civilization, and in every imaginable
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state of preservation, according to their late owner's mood to dispose of them for "sweet charity's sake." And here, permit the suggestion to the benevolently disposed, that care taken in keeping shoes assorted in pairs, and gar- ments of certain sizes in packages, will prove a saving of many precious moments when time is limited.
News of the errand of the Des Moines party had reached all quarters, and by 7:30 o'clock the procession of applicants came filing in. Most of them bore actual evidence of the storm's ravages. Men, women and chil- dren thronged to the distributing car, some with heads bandaged, others bearing one or both arms in a sling, all pitiable objects appealing to our tender sympathy. In addition to these came a large number of stricken ones, whose heart-wounds were made known to us through quivering lips and tearful eyes, as they told their stories of the terror and destruction of the fearful night of storm and whirlwind. To the question : " What do you need ?" in numberless cases came the answer : "Everything; we have nothing left but the land where our house stood, and the garments we have on." The reality of the situation was forced upon us more than once, for when a bedstead or mattress was offered to some poor woman, her reply came sadly : " I would like it, but I have no place to put it." Refined women came pleading for simply a change of clothing, as they had not removed their garments since the loss of the rest of their wardrobe, six days before. Such garments in stock as needed repairing, or required to be changed, were sent to the sewing car and suitable alterations made. The distributing car was mainly emp- tied on the first day.
The second and third days brought a new line of work, as orders came pouring in from hospitals and bereaved families. There were several children to be
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fitted out for travel to points where they would be tem- porarily cared for, and mourning garments to be made for households where the victims of the storm lay dead. As we sat in the car sewing, we could look out over the meadows on our left, and see funeral processions winding their way to the little cemetery to add to the long rows of newly-made graves. One of the orders filled was the making of three black wool dresses, between the hours of seven in the morning and three in the afternoon, for a funeral to be held at that time. The weather was extremely warm, the thermometer indicating nearly one hundred, the car stood in the open sun, but the dresses were made - and well mnade, too !
On the third day, having become thoroughly tired of basket lunches, we converted the distributing car into a dining car, under the supervision of competent cooks, and their labors gained them such a reputation as to attract the attention of the Des Moines nurses, also of the brave soldiers whose night watches gave us a feeling of security through our stay. This will be better understood when it is stated that in the hurry of departure one or two among us had borne along quite large sums of money.
As may be imagined, our slumber was much inter- rupted by passing trains and other causes, and if a feeling of merriment had not come with each night's preparation for repose, it is doubtful whether our minds, burdened by the sorrows about us, would have yielded to sleep at any hour. In illustration of the unusual makeup of our sleeper, and the impression conveyed to others, a pas- senger on one of the night trains was overheard to remark : "This is Pomeroy, where they had that dread- ful storm, and see, there are some of the wounded lying on cots in the hospital car ! "
That kindness promotes kindness was well exemplified
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in the many little attentions shown us by the people of Pomeroy, and we were gratified in the stress of our work to observe how their sorrows had developed acts of tender sympathy and good will toward the unfortunate in their midst, as shown by the many doors opened wide to receive the wounded and homeless.
One of the incidents of the second day was the sudden appearance of a photographer at the door of the sewing- car, saying he would like to take a picture of the interior of the car. A halt was made, and his errand soon accom- plished. Copies of this photo were brought to Des Moines as souvenirs of a memorable experience. Of the relics obtained from the ruins two were curiously signifi- cant, one being part of a book - Goldsmith's " Deserted Village" -the other a few pages of St. Nicholas, con- taining an account of a fearful cyclone.
By Friday noon we had finished our last garment and placed all things in readiness for our return trip, since we were to start for Des Moines at. 2 o'clock. Our stock of provisions had about given out, and we were truly weary from the constant strain imposed upon body and nerves. We felt that we had relieved many, our work was done, and we were anxious to go home.
Just at this moment a distinguished-looking surgeon . appeared on the scene, and asked if we could make thirty stretchers upon which to convey the wounded from the hospitals to the cars, as they were to be moved to Sioux City that night. We said that our train was to leave in less than two hours, that we had never made any stretchers, but when the surgeon drew an outline of a "stretcher " and said the two young men with him would serve as helpers, our courage rose to the occasion. Under the magnetic influence of our president's cheery words: " Bring on the tents which are to be ripped up ;
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we will do the best we can," this seemingly formidable work was soon on its way. Busy hands tore the tent- cloth into strips and measured it for use, sewing machines were run at full speed, and soon not only thirty, but thirty-seven, stretchers were completed, the last one hav- ing to be thrown from the car as we steamed away from Pomeroy.
This work of love for humanity's sake, bringing out the best that was in our nature, cemented friendships never to be lost sight of. Upon arrival home we formed ourselves into an "Emergency Club," to be ready for any similar undertaking, should disaster by fire, flood or tornado render our services needed. Officers chosen were : President, Mrs. John Wyman ; vice-president, Mrs. M. B. Priestley ; secretary, Mrs. A. B. Smith (one of the volunteer nurses). This organization holds no regular meetings, but is subject to call from the president.
From Copyright Photo by Garrison, Ft. Dodge.
LOOKING SOUTH OVER RUINS IN POMEROY, SHOWING DAVY AND LOWREY HOMES.
RUINS OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, POMEROY.
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POMEROY BAND, JULY 11, 1893.
Mrs. John Wyman, Presi- dent,
Mrs. D. Baker, Mrs. - Gerard,
Mrs. M. B. Priestley,
Mrs. Alice Williams,
Mrs. A. B. Billington,
Mrs. S. W. Moore,
Mrs. Tyler Scoville,
Mrs. C. L. Caldwell,
Mrs. W. L. Read,
Mrs. Avis Cook,
Mrs. F. C. Macartney,
Mrs. - Morford,
Mrs. W. A. Gray,
Miss Julia Cooper,
Mrs. - Montague,
Miss Nellie Bentley,
Mrs. E. J. Heroy,
Miss Hattie Smith,
Mrs. J. Rowley,
Mrs. S. S. Hoopes,
Miss Jane Rollinson, Miss Annie Madden,
W. A. Gray, C. D. Miller, Captains-General.
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SURGICAL LESSONS OF THE POMEROY CYCLONE .*
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