Cyclone In Keya Paha

 

Meager reports of Sunday's storm - One fatality

 

Newport, Neb., May 23 --More particulars from the cyclone which occurred in Keya Paha County, Nebraska,

last Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock were brought to Newport this evening.

 

As this county lies off from the railroad, information has been slow in arriving, and now but very meager reports

are had.  In one place a log house with an addition built on was unroofed and the addition, which was used as a

kitchen, was wrenched from the main building and covered for a with all its contents, and the logs, which were very

large, were swept away.

 

A farmer and his family were in a wogon when the cloud burst struck them and the wagon.  Horses and contents

were lifted up an dashed to the earth with such force that the woman was instantly killed.

 

Next the cloud struck a stable, in which a horse was tied.  The stable, horse and all were lifted in the air about

thirty feet.

 

People are very much excited over the storm, as cyclones are almost unknown in this region.

 

It is expected when all the particulars are heard that more deaths will be reported.

Morning World-Herald -  May 23, 1893

Considerable Excitement Being Created Over Its Gold Mines

Norden, Neb., Feb. 9 .- [Special.] - The eyes of everybody in this section are turned towards

the mines that are now being discovered in Keya Paha County, and there is little else talked

about.   The new engine has been received for the mine on Burton Creek, and will began

operations at once.

 

The mine is a singular one in many respects.  The entrance to the shaft is about eight feet from the bed of the

creek, and has been sunk about 500 feet and has not yet struck water.  Several veins of coal have been struck,

but as yet none that will pay for mining.  The gold bearing vein is about 420 feet from the surface, and to what

extent and what amount has not yet been ascertained, but there is little doubt in the minds of those who are in

a position to know but what the lead is a good one.  The company who have the matter in hand are careful

not to drop a word, but have made arrangements for the land and they are men of capital and known abroad.  

But this is not the only sign of mineral deposits.  Ten miles southeast of Springview, at a place known as Pine Camp,

gold bearing deposits have been found of late and at least fifty mining claims have been located and filed and

excitement is running high.

 

For many years it has been thought that there was coal in some places, one of a high grade, underlying portions of

the county along the Niobrara River, and it has grown with the ability of  the  people to prospect  and there seems

to be but little doubt that their first dreams will prove to be a reality.   

 

This proves that the country, after seven years of actual experiments, has proved to be a successful farming

country. All cereals that grow anywhere in the state are a success  here, and should the mineral deposits prove

a success this portion of Nebraska will be the garden of the state and the pride of Nebraska, as the soil is a

rich sandy loom, produces abundantly, the rainfall being abundant for all purposes.  

 

The natural growth of timber along the Niobrara and its tributaries is sufficient for many years to come.  Although

saw mills have been running in nearly every canon for many years, supplying the settlers with rough lumber, the

best of the saw timber yet remains standing and fuel for a generation yet will be a small object.  Water is abundant,

as the country is watered by a thousand little creeks, many of which afford splendid mill powers, which as yet

are not utilized to any great extent.  Also water is to be had by digging from five to 100 feet in almost any place in

the county.  

 

The natural grass grow spontaneous and hay is little object and for a stock county it has but few equals and for

farming is unsurpassed west of the Missouri River, and now with the addition of uncovering of extensive mineral

deposits, we are bound to believe that northern Nebraska has a  bright future before it.  

 

Yet there is many things we need at present.  We need a class of people that come here to stay and men who

can command some wealth.  Like many new countries, this has been settled by poor people who stop long

enough to make final proof on a farm and get a loan and then are off for greener fields.  The day will yet

come when the corn lands of Nebraska are not to be had for a song and then the man who has a farm in a good

locality will be only too glad that he stayed.

 

 Omaha Daily World-Herald - February 10, 1890

 

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