Long Branch, NY Tornado

September 15, 1912

Crushes Costly Shells

Rushing westward, the tornado wrecked the boathouse of the Syracuse University navy, in which was stored the entire crew equipment. All the shells were wrecked and the loss to the university is more than $7,000.  Racing across the country, the storm leveled everything in its path.  Farmhouses and barns were blown down. Crops were ruined and scores of heads of cattle were killed.

North of North Syracuse the devastation continued.  Pitchers Hill was next visited and the settlement was practically wiped out, fifteen residences, a number of barns and the schoolhouse falling before the whirlwind.  The home of H. A. Wendel, which stood in the pat of the tornado, was lifted from its foundation and turned over.  In the house were Mrs. Wendel and her three boys, all of whom escaped uninjured.

The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, IN 16 Sept 1912

In Boat 200 Feet From Shore When Tornado Arrived

The experience that Frank Otman, Charles Kuhl and Grove Ducher had with the tornado was a unique one.  Fortunately they escaped hurts.  Mr. Otman, who with his wife and children, had been camping at Willow Point on the north shore of the lake, at the outlet, was alone in a boat on the lake when the tornado struck.  The wind had been blowing fresh for some minutes before the tornado itself came.

Kuhl and Ducher, who were standing on the shore watching Otman, came to the conclusion that he was in danger, and they launched a boat to go to his rescue.  They had rowed their bow about 200 feet from the shore when the tornado struck them.  They were caught in its edge and were helpless.

As the funnel shaped cloud neared them their boat began to whirl around.  It moved faster and faster at it was sucked into the grasp of the wind.  Instead of moving out into the lake, however, the boat was whirled round and round and quickly carried back to the shore.  The men did their utmost with the oars, but they were helpless.

Spinning round with a speed that was sickening the boat was shoved back to the sandy beach.  When it grounded the men were hurled out of it. The boat was caught in the grasp of the wind and driven with great force against a tree.  When Kuhl and Ducher looked for the boat afterwards they found half of it.  The other half they found afterwards 100 feet back from the shore in a tree.

Mr. Otman's boat was caught on the edge of the tornado and like the one occupied by the other two men had been spun round and round until it struck the sandy shore.

Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, NY 16 Sept 1912

Thousands visited the tornado belt yesterday.  It was estimated that at least 15,000 went to either Long Branch or Pitcher Hill.  They rod on running boards of cars.  Trailers ere run on electric roads and people scrambled for seats.  Some of the farmers made money out of the crowds selling soft drinks, sausages, melons, fruits, etc. Other farmers had to guard their property against a few thieves, though for the most part the crowds were orderly and sympathetic.  Stands were erected from pieces of the wreckage.  A son of Willard L. Davis had a stand made from a bedstead and he sold melons.  Gates Thalheimer gave the boy a bill for the melons and refused change.

At Pitcher Hill Frank Olin established a sausage stand and sold 200 pounds.  Postcard vendors coined money. There were scores of automobiles.  Those who did not come by car, auto, motorcycle or horse walked. They came not only from Syracuse but other towns.

At Long Branch the crowd was even larger. Every car was overcrowded.  The ball grounds were jammed full of automobiles. There was one persevering man who tried to get away with vegetables owned by T. A. Barker.  He tried twice and Mr. Barker gave him a lesson.

Early yesterday morning thirteen union carpenters started work rebuilding William Walter's wrecked building at Stiles station.  The had 5,000 square feet of roof.  A chicken dinner was prepared from them by Mrs. Walters an Mrs. Ernest Armstrong.  The carpenters captained by President F. D. Alford of Union No. 26 were on the job at 7 a.m. and finished at 4 with everything done.  With tears in his eyes Mr. Walters shook hands with the men and thanked them.  The carpenters included W. C. Spoares [?], William Bent, G. B. Rand, Joseph Lalone, Fr??? Diedring, Oscar Clock, G. P. Hulbert, N. W. and A. C. Adams, L. M. Hurlbutt, J. J. Langenegger and William Muzzy.  Several neighbors helped the carpenters.

A benefit performance for Thomas Bennett, one of the sufferers, was given at the Richardson theater in Oswago.

Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, NY 23 Sept 1912

It's an ill wind that blows nobody good.  A photographer who lives in a nearby village sold $75 worth of postcards with tornado pictures on them in two days.  "Gee" he confided to a friend, "I've got my grocery bill paid up for the first time in ten years."

Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, NY 24 Sept 1912

A Fifth Victim of the Tornado

Motorman Pinned Beneath His Car at Long Branch Dies of His Injuries

His Skull was Fractured

Victim Remained Unconscious for Several Days After Injuries Were Received

Patrick L. Devin, the Syracuse, Lake Shore and Northern motorman who was pinned beneath his car when it was swept off its tracks during the tornado that passed over Long Branch on the afternoon of September 15th, died shortly after 8 o'clock this morning at St. Joseph's hospital.

This brings the list of tornado victims up to five. Devin was removed to the Genesee hospital after the tornado and two days following taken to St. Joseph's hospital.  His skull was fractured and three ribs and his hip broken.  Physicians at the hospital expected his death.

Devin was motorman on a car which ran between Long Branch and Syracuse.  The car was at the Long Branch station when the tornado hit the resort.  The body of the car was torn from its trucks and thrown to the side of the tracks, fifteen feet away.  Devin was pinned beneath the debris.

Devin was brought to this city in an unconscious condition and he was not revived for several days.  Physicians were surprised at Devin living the length of time that he did.  They have expected him to die at any minute.

Mr. Devin was a lifelong resident of the First ward, where he was  well known. He is survived by his wife, Celia, and three children, Agnes, Dorothy and Edward; his father, Matthew; four brothers, Matthew jr, James, John and Kirk Devin; and a sister, Mrs. William Closs.  Hew was as member of Branch No. 64, C. M. B. A., and the Loyal Order of Moose.  The funeral will be held from the father's home, No. 719 Second North street.

Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, NY 21 Oct 1912

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