It was stormy 130 years ago.

[ddurbin]

From the ELK COUNTY LEDGER,  May 26, 1877
Western Park, Kan., May 21, 1877
It has been raining again.  Elk river impassable about every other day.
During the storm of Saturday night a tornado or whirlwind struck the residence of P. G. Luzader, and totally demolished it in an instant.  The family, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Luzader and five little children, together with a Miss Hixenbaugh had all retired and were all buried in the ruins.  Mr. Luzader was the first to extricate himself, and by Herculean efforts succeeded in rescuing his family.  Four of the children were, strange to say, unhurt.  The rest were more or less injured by the chamber floor falling on them.  Mrs. Luzader received a very severe cut on the right temple, which was attended to by Dr. Topping.  Mr. Luzader and Miss Hixenbaugh are also seriously injured and confined to their beds.  All household furniture is completely demolished and we trust that all persons who can, will assist in getting them set up in housekeeping again as they are suddenly deprived of all shelter and all necessaries of life.


same paper
Several fields of wheat up Elk river were badly damaged by the hail storm on Wednesday night last.

The Elk was on the rampage again Thursday morning and the mail for Independence could not cross until about 10 o'clock.