Fairfield, Nebraska Tornado
May 26, 1903
Hastings, Neb., May 26. -- A series of heavy storms, two of
which developed into the worst tornadoes that have visited Southern
Nebraska for years, passed over portions of Clay, Franklyn and
Kearney counties in the night. . . .
People Were Warned. The storm was equally
destructive at Fairfield, but the people were warned of it's coming
and sought cellars for safety. Six dwellings were blown to
pieces at that place but their occupants, with a few exceptions,
escaped injury.
There were two tornadoes, both originating within a mile of
Fairfield. The first one moved to the Northwest and the second
off to the Southwest. The one to the Northwest passed close to
the town of Pauline, killing six persons. Southeast of
Norman,
Neb., three persons living in the same house were killed. Many
members of farmers' families in the track of the storm fled from
their homes, while others sought shelter in cellars. Farmers
driving to town report that they were unable to find members of
their families from whom they were separated during the storm.
The nine members of the family of Peter Hockinson were scattered
in the storm, but were re-united late in the day. The
Hockinson home was carried away and completely demolished.
The heaviest individual loss reported is that suffered by
Charles Talloy, who places the damage to his stock farm, including cattle
and horses killed, at $21,000. The two school houses were
destroyed.
The Iowa Recorder, Greene, Iowa, 27 May 1903
Missing [Injured],
Neil McSwain;
Fairfield: Peter Johns,
living near Brockton;
Peter Hickinson and eight members of
his family, living near Fairfield. Among
the 12 injured, all are from Fairfield.
The Democrat And Standard, Coshocton,
OH 26 May 1903
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