1888 — June 14, Tornado, Lexington, Sand Hollow, and Pine City, Morrow Co., OR — 3-6

–3-6  Blanchard range.[1]

 

–6  Taylor and Hatton. Oregon Weather Book: A State of Extremes. 1999, p. 124.

–4  Daily Independent, Chippewa Falls, WI. “Elemental Fury.” 6-17-1888, p. 1.

–4  Sunday Civilian, Cumberland, MD. “A Tornado in Oregon,” 6-17-1888, p. 1.

–1  Lexington. Mrs. H. J. Brooks, fatally injured.

–1  Lexington. Child of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Harkins.[2]

–2  Lexington. Two children in partially destroyed schoolhouse.

–3  Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991…Chronology and Analysis of Events. 1993, 367.

 

Narrative Information

 

Grazulis: “OR. Jun 14, 1888. 3 [dead] 5 [injured] 10 [miles] Morrow [county].”

 

Taylor and Hatton: “Tornadoes in Oregon….Greatest loss of life. A tornado which formed near Jordan Butte, northwest of Lexington (Morrow County), on the afternoon of June 14, 1888, swept through Lexington, Sand Hollow, and Pine City, and destroyed thirty buildings, including two schools Six people, including two children at the school, were killed; four others were injured.” (Taylor, George H. and Raymond R. Hatton. Oregon Weather Book: A State of Extremes. 1999, p. 124.)

 

Newspapers

 

June 16: “Portland, June 16.–A disastrous windstorm and cloud-burst was reported yesterday at Arlington, Ore. Seven buildings at Lexington were wrecked. The storm first struck a grove below Lexington and blew one house down, which belonged to H. J. Brooks. Mrs. Brooks was fatally injured. The house and barn belonging to H. A. Harkins was totally wrecked. Mr. Harkins sustained very serious injuries. His little child was killed. Mrs. Harkins and the two other children were also injured. The school-house was partially destroyed and some school children injured, two fatally.” (Sunday Civilian, Cumberland MD. “A Tornado in Oregon,” 6-17-1888, 1.)

 

June 16: “Portland, Ore., June 16.–A disastrous wind storm and cloud burst is reported from Arlington, Ore. Willow creek became a furious torrent. Seven buildings at Lexington were wrecked. The storm first struck the grove below Lexington, and blew a house down belonging to H. J. Brooks. Mrs. Brooks was fatally injured and soon died from its effects. The house and barn belonging to H. A. Perkins were totally wrecked. Perkins was very sick in the house at the time and sustained serious injuries. His little child received a blow on the head and was killed. Mrs. Perkins and two children were also injured. A school house containing pupils was partly destroyed and several children injured. Two, it is feared were fatally hurt. Twenty boats were capsized at Astoria and many fishermen perished.” (Daily Independent, Chippewa Falls, WI. “Elemental Fury. Wrecks and Ruins Alone Show the Path of a Disastrous Oregon Wind Storm.” 6-17-1888, p. 1.)

 

Sources

 

Daily Independent, Chippewa Falls, WI. Elemental Fury. Wrecks and Ruins Alone Show the Path of a Disastrous Oregon Wind Storm.” 6-17-1888, p. 1. Accessed 8-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/chippewa-falls-daily-independent-jun-17-1888-p-1/

 

Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993.

 

Sunday Civilian, Cumberland, MD. “A Tornado in Oregon,” 6-17-1888, p. 1. Accessed 8-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-sunday-civilian-jun-17-1888-p-1/

 

Taylor, George H. and Raymond R. Hatton. Oregon Weather Book: A State of Extremes.  Corvallis: Oregon Sate University Press, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Though Taylor and Hatton are reliable sources, so, generally, is Grazulis. One show 3 fatalities, and the other 6, while newspaper accounts at the time usually show four (we show only two examples of press coverage).

[2] Another press report has the name as Mrs. H. A. Perkins, while noting she and two children were injured.