History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 113

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1044

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C. Andrews &

P. M. Church

& J. Jackson

& Mrs. Hobbie

Shabacker's Shop

Clementson's Shop Dr. Kittoe &

W. Fiddick &

& E. Thompson

J. Clementson &

& Mrs. Richard

Thompson's Shop

Jno. Plude &

& M. Thompson

Mrs. Farley &

& Smithshop

& Mrs. Berryman

1. 0. O. F. and Masons' Hall

[The above diagram will serve a purpose, though inaccurate. The up and down streets should point a little to northwest and southeast. The cross street is the one named Sixth street on the county map.]

On Friday, March 10, between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon, many persons in the vil- lage saw the storm coming. A dark and threatening cloud was seen due west, over Sinsinawa Mound. At first it appeared to course toward the southeast. About three miles southwest of Hazel Green this cloud met with another, which had been approaching toward the northeast.

& J. Edwards J. Looney & & L. Eastman

745

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

The two combined soon appeared to reach from earth to heaven, and the thick black clouds were seen to roll in and out of each other like the black smoke from a smoke-stack, supposing that to be as large as a mountain. The roar of the storm could be distinctly heard. Mr. J. S. Crawford described the sound as of a mighty grinding of timbers. To Mr. Magor the sound was like a heavy storm on the sea-shore. If one can imagine an instrument that works some- thing like a syringe, as large as the circle of the tornado, and which, as it travels, sucks up trees, houses and patches of earth, whirling them around with the velocity of a discharged can- non ball, he may imagine the noise made by the tornado. As it advanced it cut down every- thing in its way. Ponderous bodies were sucked up hundreds of feet into the air. If you fill a funnel with water and let the water run out of it while in a circular motion, a hole will be formed down through the middle of the water, through which the air passes upward. The whirling motion of a tornado acts in the same way. It tends to create a vacuum in its center, and at that point could lift very heavy bodies. This tornado cut a path about 150 yards wide, its path being as curtly marked along its edges as the track of a reaper in a field of grain. Many who saw it coming fied to their cellars, and some were saved in that way. Near the vil- lage it twisted a grove of small timber into withes. It took a northeasterly course through the south half of the town. A line drawn from James Edwards' house to Chris. Andrews' will de- fine the northwest edge of the track, and a line from just south of the Masonic Hall to Mrs. Berryman's house will define its southeast edge to those acquainted in the village. Within these limits everything was destroyed. John Fink's house was the first in the track. It was up- rooted and its occupants not injured. The Masonic and Odd Fellows' Hall, a large building with stone walls two feet thick, was pulled down to heaps of stones. No vestige of its north wall remained, aud the heap of stones left no appearance of ever having had any arrangement of man. Parts of the other walls were left standing. The inside of the building was utterly wrecked; much of it, including the lodge furniture, was carried away. Next north of this building was Mrs. Farley's. It was carried away bodily, with all its contents, from over the heads of two occupants. They had retreated to the cellar and were not hurt. The next house north was owned by Mr. Schabacker, and occupied by Fred. Plude. The house was torn en- tirely away, and a child of Mrs. Plude's had an arm broken. Next north of this was Mr. Joseph Clementson's residence. Its room was carried away and the frame pulled to pieces, though left partly standing. Mrs. Clementson and daughter were in it and escaped uninjured. Mr. William Fiddick's house next north was carried away entirely, hurting only a child, whose head was severely cut.

Going back to the south side of the swath of destruction, and on the east side of West street, the large sinith shop which stood within the junction of the two streets was razed to the ground. Next north of it was the stone residence of Mrs. Richards. It was a very heavy and strong structure, the walls nearly two feet thick. The roof was lifted off, the partitions torn to pieces, and the heavy rock gables fell inside. The walls up to the gables were left standing, but warped out of shape. Eight persons were in a room in the north end of the building. Four of them were instantly killed, namely : Mrs. Elizabeth Richards, her daughter Lizzie, aged about about 15, Mrs. T. H. Edwards, daughter-in-law of Mrs. Richards, and a child of Mrs. Edwards. They were killed by the heavy gable falling upon them. They were on the side of the room away from the wall, but the floor gave way on that side, and its joists resting against the end wall, allowed the rocks to fall upon the bodies, crushing some of them to shapcless masses. Mrs. Thomas Magor and child, and two others, were in the room, and, protected by the slanting floor, were unhurt. Some of them crouched under a piano, which also afforded some protection. Johnson Richards, aged 18, was in a hay loft back of the house, and was killed. Thomas Magor was in the same stable below, and had his face badly cut. The stable was shattered to pieces, and a trotting horse owned by Thomas Magor killed. Across an alley north of the Richards House was that of L. S. Eastman. It was a frame house, and most of it was blown off the floors, the rest shaken to destruction. The family were all in it and received no in- jury. The next house north was James Edwards'. It was entirely demolished and its inmates

746

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

not seriously hurt. On the west side of the next street east-Main street-John Looney's house is first in the order we follow. It was lifted entire, and dashed down in a direction the reverse of that of the storm. Mrs. Looney was found lying on the wrecked floor of Mr. East- man's house, which was thirty or forty yards west of Mr. Looney's. She died within two hours. Charles Schabacker's smith shop, a large, new and very strong building, next north, was dashed to fragments. The men at work in it escaped. The Primitive Methodist Church was the next building north. It was pulled into sections and dashed to the ground.

Returning south to the east side of this street, Mrs. Berryman's house was the first nearly destroyed ; its roof was blown off. North of it was Matthew Thompson's large two-story house. It was lifted off its foundation and turned nearly quartering around, where it lodged against trees. The roof was carried away and the house was otherwise badly damaged. Of the four persons in it, one was hurt-not badly. Edward Thompson's furniture store stood just north. It was a large building, well filled with furniture. The building and contents were all blown away as chaff-some fragments being found miles distant. The work-shop back of it was totally destroyed. Edward Thompson's house, the next north, a large, new building, was lifted from its foundation, not even a floor left, and scattered to the winds in splinters. A son and daugh- ter, Edward and Emma, were carried a square's distance and injured, but not dangerously. Next north of this was Joseph Clementson's carriage-shop ; it was formerly the Congregational Church, and was large and strong. There were new buggies and carriages in it that had never been on the road. The building and contents, down to the floor, were all swept away. Mr. Clementson was in it. He was found lying with a heavy timber resting on his body, and his right leg broken below the knee. Mr. Mason was in the shop and was injured some on the head. Mrs. Hobbie's house comes next; it was a good two-story house. The east wing was torn away and destroyed, and the main building was banged up until nearly a wreck, by other timbers driven against it. The next north was Joseph Jackson's house. It was blown entirely off the floor and dashed to pieces against Mrs. Hobbie's house. Seven persons were in it. Among them, none were reported injured except Mrs. Jackson, who was seriously hurt. One son, Alfred, aged 14, was in Mrs. Hobbie's barn milking her cow, which he had engaged to do while she was in Lancaster attending court. The unfortunate boy there found instant death. Northeast from Mr. Jackson's house, on the cross street, Christian Andrew's house was un- roofed. East of the last-named row of dwellings, there were no others until we come to Dr. Kittoe's, some 200 yards distant. It stood there for awhile a picture of ruin. The falling and whirling timbers from other buildings are driven into it from every direction. It was unroofed and shivered and had the appearance of being ready to fall to fragments. It was partially protected by trees, and served the good purpose of saving his family from injury. A hundred feet east of his house stood his barn, in which he had two horses and a couple of tons of hay. The whole establishment was lifted sixty or seventy feet up and carried northwest about 150 feet, where the building came down in fragments. The horses were thrown about 100 feet further in the same direction, and found dead. Thence on, the storm had an open field until it reached the cemetery. Mr. R. G. Magor's fine brick residence was barely out of its range. He looked upon the black and mountainous besom of destruction as it approached, and must have thought what an infinitely little creature man is with all his boasted inventions and power to destroy. A mile further, in Scrabble Hollow, Mr. Brewer's house was in the track of the whirl- wind. He saw it coming, and thoughtfully took his family into a root-house, made in the side of a hill. In a few minutes, his house was among the other splinters and timbers whirling in through the air. Another mile further and the residence of Thomas Allen was in its path. The house was carried backward 100 yards and dashed to pieces. Mr. Allen was fatally injured. He lived barely long enough to inquire concerning his family, of those who found him. A son, William, was killed. Mrs. Allen was dangerously hurt. James Allen had an arm broken and was otherwise injured. Hannah Allen was badly bruised. Here ends the most heart-rending part of this horror. We worry and work our lives away over property, and when it comes in comparison with life, it is nothing. Some will even laugh that they have es-

747

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

caped with their lives. So in Hazel Green may be seen people whose all of worldly goods were in an instant picked up and made like kindling-wood, even their papers, their money and cloth- ing lost in the wanton winds, yet these same people were happy as any you will meet; but those who lost near and dear relatives were sad indeed. Some seemed to feel that even the good God had signified a determination to tear from them all upon which the heart places affection.

Besides the buildings named as totally destroyed, there were many other barns, stables and outbuildings blown away. With the houses went also the furniture and clothing. Along the track of the destroyer for miles the fields were covered with splinters, boards, scantlings, shingles, carpets, bedding, clothing, lace curtains, window blinds and shutters, bottoms of chairs and other pieces of furniture, rims, spokes and other pieces of huggy wheels, pieces of coffins, tin gutters and everything conceivable as material or contents of a house. The houses were so effectually torn to pieces that it cannot be told to what house pieces found belonged. Trees that were not themselves injured were full of the evidences of destruction. Up in their branches were many articles of apparel, and beds and carpets. Among the debris in and near the village, were dead horses, cattle, hogs, cats and chickens. It is estimated that over fifty head of horses and cattle were killed. There were also many other houses damaged. Scant- lings and boards were driven into the roofs and sides of houses out of the whirlwind's path with such force that they would go through like an arrow through paper. The houses standing were smeared with mud until they looked like the ground. Many fences were down; windows were broken. With the storm was very little rain. The black cloud was composed of mud and dirt. Great trees, some of which were solid oaks eighteen inches in diameter, were twisted off and went sailing through the air. In this account we have aimed to exaggerate nothing. Distances are guessed at, and some may be too great, others too small. As to the havoc, if any reader saw it, after reading this account he will say we have not half done it justice. No one can fully believe in such stories without seeing for himself.

The scene at the residence of T. H. Edwards, where lay the remains of five persons, two, the wife and infant child of Mr. Edwards; his mother, Mrs. Richards, and his half-brother and half-sister, Johnson Richards and Lizzie Richards, is described as having been most horrible. Mrs. R. and daughter lay side by side, covered with a sheet red with their life's blood. On the opposite side of the room were the mother, Mrs. Edwards, and her child, both still in the embrace of death. To the left of the door, and upon a couch, reposed the lifeless body of Johnson Richards, whose face scarcely bore the imprint of death. The scene was the most heart-rending ever witnessed. The agonized husband, father, son and brother was the picture of despair, and while looking upon the faces of those near and dear, whose lips were sealed to him forever, the trembling frame, falling tears and deep-drawn sighs spoke in tones that could not be misunderstood, of the agony which filled his heart. In another house near by, lay the remains of young Jackson, and still farther away, Allen and boy, the prop and idol of the family. Providence never visited a village with a worse affliction, and strong, indeed, must he be in the faith who could fold his hands resignedly, and exclaim, "He doeth all things well."

A public meeting of the citizens was held at Crawford's Hall about 9 o'clock in the even- ing of the same day, to take into consideration the overwhelming disaster which had overtaken the village, and to devise ways and means of relieving the distressed. Mr. John L. Crawford was called to the chair, and Mr. Robert Hayes elected Secretary.

On motion, a police committee was appointed, and the following-named gentlemen selected to draw up a detailed statement of the losses occasioned by the whirlwind: Rev. Lawson, John L. Crawford, John Muffeet, Robert Hayes and Thomas Anthony.

On motion, the following aid committee was selected by the chair: John Muffeet, John Cox, William Jeffrey, William Allen and Edward O'Neill.

The following is a correct list of the dead and wounded:

Killed-Mrs. E. Richards, Johnson Richards, aged eighteen years: Lizzie Richards, aged sixteen ; Mrs. T. H. Edwards and child, Alfred Jackson, aged fourteen ; Thomas Allen and son, and Mrs. John Loony.

748

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

Injured-Joseph Clementson, leg broken; Edward Thompson, hip injured; child of Fred- erick Plude, arm broken; Amanda Morcom, head cut; Thomas Magor, badly cut about the face; Mrs. Tregoning, arm injured ; Joseph Mason, slight injury on the head; child of William Fiddick, head cut; Dora Thompson, arm injured; Mrs. Joseph Jackson, injured badly; Mrs. Fairly, leg injured; Mrs. James Edwards, face hurt; James Treganza, injured slightly; Frank Thompson, head and arm bruised; Miss Eliza Rodda, badly injured.

The total losses are as follows :

J. F. Eastman, barn.

$400

Chris. Nolte, barn.

200

Dr. Kittoe, house and barn.

2,000.

Mrs. E. Richards, house and barn.

2,500

Richards estate, stone building ..

2,000

Total

$7,100

The partial losses :

J. Treganza. house and barn.

$150.

Richard Tregonning, house and barn

250

Primitive Church parsonage.

100

James Austin, dwelling.

100

Charles Schabacker, dwelling.

100

Joseph Johns, dwelling.

200

Mrs. Necollins, dwelling.

100

Dr. Egloff, dwelling.

100

John Gribble, barn.

200

M. Chandler, dwelling

.....

Arthur Gribble. dwelling.

.....

W. Allen, dwelling.

100

Mrs. Fsirley, dwelling.

1.000

Fred Plude, dwelling ..

600.

Joseph Clemenson, dwelling and shop

4,000

William Fiddick, dwelling.

600

George Wasley, dwelling.

600

Levi Eastman, dwelling.

1,500

James Mason, picture gallery

250

Mrs. Oats, dwelling.

750

Mattie Thompson, dwelling

2,500

M. & E. Thompson, furniture-shop.

4,000

Edward Thompson, dwelling.

2,000

John Looney, dwelling ..

1,000

Charles Schabacks, blacksmith-shop.

2,000

Primitive Church.

2,000

Joseph Jackson, dwelling.

1,500

Kit Andrews, dwelling.

700

Mrs. Hobbie, dwelling.

1,200

Mrs. McClay, dwelling.

100

Henry Drink, dwelling.

100

Total

$27,000

Making a total loss of $36,000.

Incidents .- Only two of Mr. Edward Thompson's family were in the house, a son and daugh- ter. The family was in the central part of the dwelling, into which they repaired at the approach of the storm. As the house commenced swaying, the crockery was sliding from the shelves, and the young man, while preventing its falling, was, with the young lady, in an instant whirled through the north window, and both carried over an orchard in a circuit of 200 yards in a south- easterly direction, landing against the fragments of Dr. Kittoe's dwelling. Both were severely bruised,, but recovered. Mr. Thompson left his furniture room and clung to a tree; soon apprehending great danger, he abandoned the tree for another. Upon this attempt, he was dashed forcibly against the tree, breaking the upper part of his hip-bone, and otherwise receiv- ing internal injuries. He was confined to his bed, but was able in a few days to be around.

A little son of Thomas Magor, three years old, had hold of his grandmother's hand (Mrs. Richards, who was killed). In an instant he was thrown under the piano, where it afterward

749

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

appeared the large family dog had secreted himself for safety. In a moment's time the space was completely filled with mortar and rubbish. The dog soon dug his way out, the little fellow crawling through the same aperture in a decidedly cool manner, although nearly suffocated.

Willie Fiddick, about ten years old, was thrown from the rear room of the house (where the entire family were) into the street. Upon recovery, and seeing no home to go to, inquired lustily of every passer by, " Where are my folks ?" He was so begrimed and blackened no one recognized him. Soon his father came along, and Willie made the same inquiry. His father asked him his name, neither recognizing the other. The faces of all the victims of the tornado were smeared with a material akin to stove blacking, and about as difficult to remove.

Mrs. Tregoning was in a small barn milking. The barn and cow were lifted and carried out of sight, leaving the lady and her pail all safe.

Mr. Brewer, whose family occupied the old Furnace House across the Scrabble Branch, had just reached home from the Diggings. Seeing the danger, he rapidly crowded his children and wife into an outer root-house. As he reached the doorway of the root-house, his dwelling entirely disappeared in the whirlwind, breaking it into ten thousand fragments. Mr. B. had been using nitro-glycerine four or five years, and, as he remarked to the writer of this some months before, lived almost constantly with thoughts of danger. To this probably may be attrib- uted the safety of his large family.

Scores of incidents might be related in connection with this calamity.

Many families that lived. outside the path of the cyclone feared its approach, and, in fright and amazement, performed ludicrous things. The shattered fragments and rubbish were soon cleared away and the village has somewhat regained its former appearance.

Could the solemn pageant of the Sabbath morning following the disaster, whose line of coffins and weeping mourners, be obliterated from memory, cheerfulness and hope would brighten all.

IMPRESSIONS AFTER VIEWING THE DESOLATION AT HAZEL GREEN.

The head must how. A spirit fleet, with accent sweet, Whispered to me (I know not how), In mildest strain, but language plain, The head must bow.

The wisest sage, hoary with age, The king in power, at the appointed hour, Is not set free from heaven's decree, The head must how.

Parental years of life appear To those above in strongest love, With sorrowing pain we yield their gain ; They hold the prize beyond the skies. The head must bow.

The youth amazed and trembling gazed ; The affrighted maid the scene surveyed, The loving wife with feeble strife, The babe caressed upon the breast, Yield the last breath in the storm of death. The head must bow.

What hopes and fears-what joys and tears- What scenes of life in doubtful strife In the dark shade are forever laid. The head must how.

But in quick time another clime, Another shore with no tempest roar, All shall behold-the young and old. The head must bow.

750

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

Oh! glorious day, no sunset ray Shall fall upon thy horizon ; But in bright spheres, bereft of tears, Those gone before to the shining shore Shall greet above, with hearts of love, The happy throng in gleeful song, After the head shall bow.

HAZEL GREEN, WiS.

The funerals of the victims took place on the Sunday following, and for many months thereafter the entire community was in mourning.

THE SCHOOLS.

The cause of education found an early and, it may be added, substantial support in the village of Hazel Green. Not only have public places of learning been liberally sustained, but private enterprises extended a gratifying support. In the fall of 1843, John Smith, at present engaged as mail contractor between Hazel Green and Cuba City, opened a school in a frame house on Lower Main street, built and furnished by public subscription. His roster of pupils was made up of scholars from all parts of the present township, and the course of study such as found favor from its simplicity forty years ago.

Mr. Smith remained in charge during the winter, but as soon as spring warned miners and farmers of the necessity for them to be up and doing, a vacation followed, and no summer school was taught. The following fall, a Mr. Bingham wielded the ferrule, and impressed " students " with the important relations borne by reading, writing and arithmetic to their civilization, remain- ing in charge until after the holidays, when he resigned, the vacancy thus created being filled by the appointment of H. D. York, still a resident of the village. Mrs. Jane Clark taught the summer school, and was succeeded by James A. Jones, now of Lancaster, who officiated two years in the capacity of pedagogue, when he gave place to Leroy Lockwood.

In 1849, the county was divided into townships, and school districts organized. At that time, there were two schools in operation in the village; onc on Lower Main street, already mentioned, and one in the frame building immediately north of the Crawford residence. H. D. York was appointed Town Superintendent, and every means that would promote the plans agreed upon were adopted. As a result, success has been one of the important features of the system in Hazel Green, which to-day is unsurpassed by that utilized in any other portion of the county.

These buildings supplied all demands until 1853, when enlarged facilities became necessary, and the present brick structure was erected. It is two stories high, 40x70, containing four departments, and cost $6,000.

In March, 1856, the Hazel Green Collegiate Institute was established by the Rev. J. Lough- ron, A. M., and for several years it occupied an enviable reputation among the educational interests of the Northwest. The design of the institute was to secure the advantages of a thor- ough training, and to give ladies and gentlemen desiring to teach an opportunity of special improvement. The institute was graded, and included primary, academic (two grades), collegi- ate and seminary, requiring seven years to complete. Dr. Loughron opened his institute in the Crawford Block, in the fall of 1856, assisted by I. H. Miller, Professor of Mathematics ; Mrs. Mary L. Culver, engaged in the academic department; Miss Almira A. Culver, in the prepara- tory school ; and Miss Delia C. Sanford, Teacher of Music; and that year 129 students of both sexes matriculated. The succeeding year opened auspiciously, but the panic and sequent evils prevented a full enjoyment of the hopes ventured in behalf of the institute, which was continued until the war broke out, when it was suspended, and has never been revived.

The present school employs four teachers, and is under the direction of a Board of Directors, consisting of George Broderick, Richard Pearce and John Cox. The course ranges from pri- mary to high, requiring six years to complete, and requires an annual expenditure of $2,000 to carry on.

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

751

THE POST OFFICE.

The post office at Hazel Green is among the oldest in the county, having been established when there was no mail service, and when letters were received at the office as the convenience of carriers consented.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 113

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1044

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1044