The Last of the StormThe following appeared in the Rock County Weekly on July 25, 1884:Springwater TownshipWRECK AND DISASTEROur Springwater correspondent, D. Artemus Harden, furnishes the following report of the damage done in Springwater township:The storm struck the north-west corner of Springwater township at 2:40 p.m. The first buildings in its course were those of Charles Reynolds, a large barn and a new house. The barn was completely demolished and the new house moved sixteen feet from its foundation. The old house was completely riddled by the flying timbers. A. Birdsong’s buildings were all damaged, and his machine shed was torn down. A. Kimball’s house and barn were destroyed. His family took refuge in the cellar. All the furniture, clothing and bedding were destroyed. Some of it was carried into J.J. Loeffler’s grove half a mile away. J.J. Loeffler’s out-buildings, including a large new machine barn, were driven from the foundations and badly racked. Nearly all his hay was in stack and this was mostly destroyed. Next was a schoolhouse which the writer was plastering, accompanied by my son, a boy eight years old. My team was tied to my wagon on the east side of the house. The house was moved from its foundation and was carried about forty feet, striking the wagon, breaking down two wheels and the box and damaging it otherwise. Tim Birgen’s new barn, 16x50, 14-foot posts, was torn to pieces. Some of the timbers were driven through the side of the house. Nat. Gartland lost a large amount of hay.Dave Noonan’s granary was moved from its foundation.Al. Acheson’s milk house and stable were damaged. E.Y. Graham’s new house 14x29, and all its contents, clothing, bedding, furniture, etc., were entirely destroyed, and his machinery was damaged. W.A. Raymond’s barn, 16x36, and house, 16x24, all new, were both totally destroyed. Mr. Raymond and family left the house and lay down and clung to some small plum trees near the house, and there remained until the storm subsided. Mr. Raymond’s loss will reach $500.A new house and barn belonging to Mr. Armstrong, occupied by a Dane, was damaged. A considerable amount of grain stored in the house was destroyed.A barn belonging to Earnest Curtis was torn to pieces.B.M. Pengra’s hay and sheds were injured and, in fact, every farmer suffered more or less. A schoolhouse in District No. 20 was moved from its foundation. Miss Flora Mather was teaching and school was in session at the time. When the storm struck the house they all left and took refuge on the bare prairie. One little girl, daughter of Mr. Ingleson, found her way home, one mile and a half distant. Others, after being beaten with wind, rain and hail, found their way to Earnest Curtis’ place. Hiram Raymond’s barn was blown down and his horses driven over the prairie. One span of mules was found one mile from home, still tied to the manger.The northeast part of the town I have not heard from, but suppose it was full as bad as the rest. This concludes the long article about the storm. Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.