, Ohio, USA
1886 - ANOTHER TORNADO CAUSES GREAT DEVASTATION IN OHIO. HANCOCK, HARDIN AND ADJACENT COUNTIES ARE VISITED BY A TERRIFIC CYCLONE, DESTROYING LIFE AND PROPERTY.

A terrible tornado swept over the southern part of Hancock and northern part of Hardin county at a late hour Friday night carrying death and destruction in its path. At Forest, WILLIAM McELREE, wife and two children and mother-in-law, MRS. HIGGINS, were buried in the ruins of a large brick house, and the first named killed. The rest were injured, the last named fatally. MISS LEASE was killed in her house. ISSAC LAMBERT, 8 years of age, was buried under his house and fatally injured. A. L. PACKERT was fatally hurt by falling lumber. THOMAS MOORE was buried under the ruins of a large frame house and badly hurt. CHARLES PACKERT and J. V. THOMPSON, sleeping in the same bed in this house, were carried a long distance and landed safely in bed. THOMAS HART and wife were blown from bed in the second story, and the latter perhaps fatally hurt. The ten-year-old son of JACOB RUMMEL had his collar bone broken and was otherwise hurt.

Two churches were destroyed. Two brick school houses were destroyed, the bell of one being carried a quarter of a mile. Trees were uprooted by the acre, and hundreds of orchards are completely gone. A large number of sheep and horses were killed.

At the village of Lovell, Wyandot county, great damage was done, as also in Seneca county, the houses of many people being destroyed. In Mercer county three people were killed and many seriously hurt. Vehicles and farm implements were scattered broadcast over the country. Large forest trees were uprooted and carried away great distances. A school house was blown to atoms.

The storm traveled from the south-west to the northeast through Tymochtee township, Wyandotte county, and destroyed property estimated to be worth $200,000.

At Xenia, Saturday, the body of a colored woman was found in a fence corner near where the Shawnee empties into the Little Miami, and her dead baby was found nearer the city. The number of bodies now recovered is 28, and one is still known to be missing.

Newark Daily Advocate
Newark, Ohio
May 17, 1886

Visit Ohio, USA
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.