Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1896 — Jim Comer’s Bad Luck. [ARTICLE]

Jim Comer’s Bad Luck.

James H. Comer, a former well known citizen of this county, who .went to Oklahoma about two years ago, and who was prospering finely as a storekeeper in a small town named Ralston, met with a big misfortune on the night of Thanksgiving Day, from his place being struck by a tornado, or as they are more commonly though incorrectly called, a cyclone. His description of the event, as written in a private letter to his brother, B. D. Comer, of Union Tp. is here given: B. D. Comer. Dear Brother; —A great misfortune has overtaken us. On Thanksgiving eve at 12 o’clock, a terrible cyclone struck our town. I and my family were asleep up stairs. It struck the barn first hurling the heavy timber 8 against our house, crushing everything and pinning us between two floors. Our store went next. The moans and cries of the children will haunt me to my grave. The fire broke out and was raging. We cried mightily for help. It soon came from all sides. They tore the timbers off us and strange to say we were all alive. But all bruised and bleeding. Our store and contents gone We were left naked and everything swept away. My money, at the head of the bed, went with the rest, but next day people came in, far and near and said, “we found some of yonr money.” When the fire was extinguished it was only a foot away from a keg of gun powder* The neighbors gave us some clothes and shelter and a>e’ very kind to us. A great deal of damage was done in the town but I got it the* worst. The path of the cyclone was only 60 ft.

wide, but it is a s’ght to see the wreck. It roared like many thunders, Thanking God it was no worse I remain your Bro. James H. Comer.