News

Wind, Rain, and Hail Storm Oquawka Spectator
19 Jul 1883

The storm that visited this county last Thursday night was the most severe in places that we have had for many years. From Mr. Hamilton Evans and Rev. McLeish we learn the following particulars: The storm commenced between 9 and 10 o'clock, with a north wind blowing, and was 2 to 3 miles wide, including one mile on the state road. Mr. E. resides on the east line of the storm, which had spent the most of its fury before reaching his farm, but damaged growing crops considerably. The crops of John Crane, Green Fryrear, on the George Krauset place. Mrs. Roberts, Oliver Lyons, Jesse Lyons, Michael Heisler and J. Trimmer were almost completely destroyed. Messrs. James O'Leary [crops completely destroyed and windows beat out by the hail] Patrick Logan's growing crops destroyed, but a part of his grain had been cut and shucked, from which he will save considerable, Patrick Gray's crops badly damaged, as were also those of Mrs. John Kemp, MRs. Jesse Kemp, and Messrs C. Kemp, Wm. White, T. Jeff, Fort and Jo Brown. Olena precinct Mrs. Marks, Messrs Jas Dean,, Isaac Nichols and Jo Dixson suffered considerably.

In South Henderson precinct Mr. Graham says his corn is injured one third and Mrs. Tracy's about on-half, Frank Galbreath was more fortunate than some of the others, having only lost 10 acres of oats and 15 acres of corn. The hail came down in irregular chunks beating the leaves off the trees and cutting the grain to pieces. The storm Thursday night and Friday was of wide extent sweeping over a large portion of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas. At Galesburg hail fell to the depth of two or three inches and some of it is said to have been still visible next day at noon.