MEADE COUNTY MESSENGER OBITUARY - 03/10/1955
FOUR CHILDREN DROWNED DURING RAIN-HAIL STORM
Swept to their deaths in a Meade County creek Friday were the children of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hardesty, Andyville. The 4 youngsters left a school bus to walk a mile to their home. Caught in a hail storm, they apparently started to run through the creek which was swollen to a torrent by a flash flood. They were tumbled down the steep, rocky creek bed until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The worse single tragedy ever to happen to a Meade County family occurred last Friday afternoon when four of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hardesty's children were drowned in a rain-hail swollen creek on their way home from school. Those drowned were: Jean Marie, 13 years old, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9 and Willis 7. After the children had left the school bus Friday afternoon, they started home in the rain and hail storm and in crossing a creek which was swollen from the rain and hail, all four were drowned. They were swept down the stream until their small bodies were caught on rocks and tree branches. Surviving are their parents, a brother, William Thomas, 5 years old, and a sister, Mary Evelyn, 2, also their maternal grandfather, Albert Allen of Andyville. Funeral services were conducted Monday morning at St. Mary Magdalen Church, Payneville, KY with Wright Funeral Home in charge. The entire community extends deepest sympathy in their bereavement.
obituary from Phil Burch
COURIER JOURNAL OBITUARY - 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 4
Three sisters and their brother drowned in a terrific hail and rain storm that swept Meade County late today [March 4, 1955]. The children drowned in a small creek that had been swollen to a raging torrent by a flash flood that rolled down from the hills surrounding their home. They lived in the Andyville community about 16 miles west of here. The 4 were children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, according to Fred Wright, Brandenburg funeral director, who brought the bodies here. Sheriff Allen Thompson said they were Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7. The children, he said, had left a school bus on KY 64 to walk the mile to their home along a private gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. Caught in the storm, they apparently started running. When they came to what is usually a placid wet-weather creek, they probably ran into it without realizing the stream they had been fording daily was impassible. They were swept off their feet. At the edge of the one-way road they were rolled down about a 5-6 foot cliff and then tumbled down the steep, rocky bed of the creek until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The body of one of the children was found a mile downstream. Wright said it was possible the children were confused by the pelting hail and rain. The condition of the bodies indicated they were badly beaten by hail and by being tumbled against the rock course of the stream. Sheriff Thompson concurred, "That hail was so heavy, it could have killed children," he said, adding, however, that he was sure the Hardesty children were alive when swept over the cliff. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home, where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire. The fire spread to another barn nearby. Thompson said hailstones in the community covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. Some of the stones were up to 1-1/2 inches in diameter, but most were about the size of marbles. In Brandenburg, hail was up to 5 inches deep on the streets. The roof of his home in Brandenburg, Thompson said, looked as though someone had been "beating it with a hammer." J.M. Willis, editor of The Meade County Messenger here, said older residents of the community described the storm as the worst they ever had seen. He said hailstones had drifted up to the headlights of his parked automobile. Some of them had been washed against it in the downpour. Five hours after the storm hailstones were still up to 2 inches deep in spots, he continued. Windows were broken throughout the community and roofs of many houses damaged. Wright said an extremely heavy fog that rose after the hailstorm so blanketed the area that it required 2 hours for him to drive the 16 miles to Andyville. Wright said the storm appeared to have been more severe in the Andyville community than in Brandenburg. He said he had been told that the Battletown area west of Brandenburg was also hard hit. The Hardesty children attended St. Theresa Catholic School near Rhodelia, about 5 miles from their home.
COURIER JOURNAL OBITUARY - 03/06/1955
Swept to their deaths in a Meade County creek Friday [March 4, 1955] were these children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, Andyville. The 4 youngsters left a school bus to walk a mile to their home. Caught in a hail and rain storm, they apparently started to run through the creek which was swollen to a torrent by a flash flood. They were tumbled down the steep, rocky creek bed until their bodies caught on rocks and tree branches. Joint funerals for the 4 Hardesty children drowned yesterday in a creek near their home during a torrential rain and hail storm will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Catholic Church at Payneville. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Besides their parents, Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, the 4, Jean Marie, Margaret, Mary Ruth and Willis Hardesty, are survived by a brother, William Thomas, 5, and a sister, Mary Evelyn, 2, and their maternal grandfather, Albert Allen, Andyville.
OWENSBORO MESSENGER INQUIRER OBITUARY - 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 4
Three sisters and a brother, caught in a terrific hail and rain storm that swept Meade County, drowned late today [March 4, 1955] in a small creek. The creek had been swollen to a raging torrent by a flash flood that rolled down from the hills surrounding their home in the Andyville community about 16 miles southwest of here. The 4 victims, 3 girls, the oldest about 13, and a boy, were the children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, according to Fred Wright, Brandenburg funeral director, who brought the bodies here. Sheriff Allen Thompson said they were Virginia, 13; Margaret, 11; Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7. The sheriff said the children had left a school bus on KY 64 to walk the mile to their home along a private gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. Caught in the storm, they apparently started running. When they came to what is usually a placid wet-weather creek, they probably ran into it without realizing the stream they had been fording daily was impassible. They were swept off their feet. At the edge of the one-way road they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled down the steep bed of the creek until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The body of one of the children was found a mile downstream. Wright said it was possible the children were confused by the pelting hail and rain. The condition of the bodies indicated they were badly beaten by hail and by being tumbled against the rock course of the stream. Sheriff Thompson agreed, "That hail was so heavy, it could have killed children," he said, adding, that he was sure the children were alive when swept over the cliff. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire and spreading to another barn nearby. Thompson said hailstones in the community covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. Some of the stones were up to an inch and a half in diameter, but most were about the size of marbles. The roof of his home in Brandenburg, said Thompson, looked as if someone had been "beating on it with a hammer." Hail was 5 inches deep on the streets of Brandenburg.
LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER OBITUARY – 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 4
Three sisters and a brother, caught in a terrific hail and rain storm that swept Meade County, drowned late today [March 4, 1955] in a small creek. The creek had been swollen to a raging torrent by a flash flood that rolled down from the hills surrounding their home in the Andyville community about 16 miles southwest of here. The 4 victims, 3 girls, the oldest about 13, and a boy, were the children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, according to Fred Wright, Brandenburg funeral director, who brought the bodies here. Sheriff Allen Thompson said they were Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7. The sheriff said the children had left a school bus on KY 64 to walk the mile to their home along a gravel private road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. Caught in the storm, they apparently started running. When they came to what is usually a placid wet-weather creek, they probably ran into it without realizing the stream they had been fording daily was impassible. They were swept off their feet. At the edge of the one-way road they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled down the steep bed of the creek until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The body of one of the children was found a mile downstream. Wright said it was possible the children were confused by the pelting hail and rain. The condition of the bodies indicated they were badly beaten by hail and by being tumbled against the rock course of the stream. Sheriff Thompson agreed, "That hail was so heavy, it could have killed children," he said, adding, that he was sure the children were alive when swept over the cliff. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire and spreading to another barn nearby. Thompson said hailstones in the community covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. Some of the stones were up to an inch and a half in diameter, but most were about the size of marbles. The roof of his home in Brandenburg, said Thompson, looked as if someone had been "beating on it with a hammer." Hail was 5 inches deep on the streets of Brandenburg.
LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER OBITUARY – 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 5
Three sisters and a brother, en-route from school to their home, were drowned late Friday [March 4, 1955] in a small creek swollen to a raging torrent by hail and heavy rains. Sheriff Allen Thompson said the children, ranging in age from 7 to 13, had left a school bus to walk the mile to their home along a gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. They apparently started running when the storm struck &, arriving at what usually is a calm wet-weather stream, they plunged into it without realizing its depths and ferocity. The rampaging waters swept them off their feet, they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The sheriff identified the victims as Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7, children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty. The sheriff said hailstones in this area covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. The accident occurred about 16 miles southwest of here. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire and spreading to another barn nearby.
BOWLING GREEN PARK CITY DAILY NEWS OBITUARY – 03/06/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 5
Three sisters and a brother, en-route from school to their home, were drowned late yesterday [March 4, 1955] in a small creek swollen to a raging torrent by hail and heavy rains. Sheriff Allen Thompson said the children, ranging in age from 7 to 13, had left a school bus to walk the mile to their home along a gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. They apparently started running when the storm struck &, arriving at what usually is a calm wet-weather stream, they plunged into it without realizing its depths and ferocity. The rampaging waters swept them off their feet, they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The sheriff identified the victims as Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7, children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty. The sheriff said hailstones in this area covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. The accident occurred about 16 miles southwest of here.
MEADE COUNTY MESSENGER ARTICLE – 03/10/1955
A flash hail and rainstorm hit Brandenburg and parts of Meade County last Friday afternoon, and almost unbelievable damage was done to buildings, roofs and windows. Everyone said they had never seen a hail storm so bad. Damage by the storm was estimated at $500,000 by J.B. Woolfolk of the Casperke Insurance Agency. Local insurance agents have been busy ever since the storm receiving claims for storm damage. Mr. Woolfolk said practically every policy holder in and near Brandenburg had a claim to file. The hail stones were huge and literally fell in by the buckets full with a hard rain before and afterwards. Downtown Brandenburg buildings were damaged by the rush of water and hail that gathered speed as it rushed toward the river. The sewer overflowed and a hail gorge formed as it hit the back part of Applegate Motors Garage, and the garage doors had to be opened to let it pass through the building so it would not be demolished. After the storm subsided the hail stones were about 2 feet deep in the back part of the building, and it took all day Saturday with a large hose spraying water and a bulldozer to get the building free of ice. Back of the Messenger office the hail washed up to the lights on cars parked there, and had not sufficiently melted Wednesday to get all the cars out. Many business buildings downtown had water running into them. The river is also at flood stage which slowed the flood waters from passing off. The storm seemed to hit a strip of about 10 miles wide and extended almost the length of the county, keeping fairly near the river. The Messenger has not heard of all damage done, but 2 barns belonging on Mrs. Beulah Smith's farm at Andyville burned during the storm, and it was on her farm where Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty lived whose children lost their lives in the hail and rain swollen creek, on their way from school.
Contributor: Francie Ede (47144964)
FOUR CHILDREN DROWNED DURING RAIN-HAIL STORM
Swept to their deaths in a Meade County creek Friday were the children of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hardesty, Andyville. The 4 youngsters left a school bus to walk a mile to their home. Caught in a hail storm, they apparently started to run through the creek which was swollen to a torrent by a flash flood. They were tumbled down the steep, rocky creek bed until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The worse single tragedy ever to happen to a Meade County family occurred last Friday afternoon when four of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hardesty's children were drowned in a rain-hail swollen creek on their way home from school. Those drowned were: Jean Marie, 13 years old, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9 and Willis 7. After the children had left the school bus Friday afternoon, they started home in the rain and hail storm and in crossing a creek which was swollen from the rain and hail, all four were drowned. They were swept down the stream until their small bodies were caught on rocks and tree branches. Surviving are their parents, a brother, William Thomas, 5 years old, and a sister, Mary Evelyn, 2, also their maternal grandfather, Albert Allen of Andyville. Funeral services were conducted Monday morning at St. Mary Magdalen Church, Payneville, KY with Wright Funeral Home in charge. The entire community extends deepest sympathy in their bereavement.
obituary from Phil Burch
COURIER JOURNAL OBITUARY - 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 4
Three sisters and their brother drowned in a terrific hail and rain storm that swept Meade County late today [March 4, 1955]. The children drowned in a small creek that had been swollen to a raging torrent by a flash flood that rolled down from the hills surrounding their home. They lived in the Andyville community about 16 miles west of here. The 4 were children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, according to Fred Wright, Brandenburg funeral director, who brought the bodies here. Sheriff Allen Thompson said they were Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7. The children, he said, had left a school bus on KY 64 to walk the mile to their home along a private gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. Caught in the storm, they apparently started running. When they came to what is usually a placid wet-weather creek, they probably ran into it without realizing the stream they had been fording daily was impassible. They were swept off their feet. At the edge of the one-way road they were rolled down about a 5-6 foot cliff and then tumbled down the steep, rocky bed of the creek until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The body of one of the children was found a mile downstream. Wright said it was possible the children were confused by the pelting hail and rain. The condition of the bodies indicated they were badly beaten by hail and by being tumbled against the rock course of the stream. Sheriff Thompson concurred, "That hail was so heavy, it could have killed children," he said, adding, however, that he was sure the Hardesty children were alive when swept over the cliff. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home, where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire. The fire spread to another barn nearby. Thompson said hailstones in the community covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. Some of the stones were up to 1-1/2 inches in diameter, but most were about the size of marbles. In Brandenburg, hail was up to 5 inches deep on the streets. The roof of his home in Brandenburg, Thompson said, looked as though someone had been "beating it with a hammer." J.M. Willis, editor of The Meade County Messenger here, said older residents of the community described the storm as the worst they ever had seen. He said hailstones had drifted up to the headlights of his parked automobile. Some of them had been washed against it in the downpour. Five hours after the storm hailstones were still up to 2 inches deep in spots, he continued. Windows were broken throughout the community and roofs of many houses damaged. Wright said an extremely heavy fog that rose after the hailstorm so blanketed the area that it required 2 hours for him to drive the 16 miles to Andyville. Wright said the storm appeared to have been more severe in the Andyville community than in Brandenburg. He said he had been told that the Battletown area west of Brandenburg was also hard hit. The Hardesty children attended St. Theresa Catholic School near Rhodelia, about 5 miles from their home.
COURIER JOURNAL OBITUARY - 03/06/1955
Swept to their deaths in a Meade County creek Friday [March 4, 1955] were these children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, Andyville. The 4 youngsters left a school bus to walk a mile to their home. Caught in a hail and rain storm, they apparently started to run through the creek which was swollen to a torrent by a flash flood. They were tumbled down the steep, rocky creek bed until their bodies caught on rocks and tree branches. Joint funerals for the 4 Hardesty children drowned yesterday in a creek near their home during a torrential rain and hail storm will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Catholic Church at Payneville. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Besides their parents, Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, the 4, Jean Marie, Margaret, Mary Ruth and Willis Hardesty, are survived by a brother, William Thomas, 5, and a sister, Mary Evelyn, 2, and their maternal grandfather, Albert Allen, Andyville.
OWENSBORO MESSENGER INQUIRER OBITUARY - 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 4
Three sisters and a brother, caught in a terrific hail and rain storm that swept Meade County, drowned late today [March 4, 1955] in a small creek. The creek had been swollen to a raging torrent by a flash flood that rolled down from the hills surrounding their home in the Andyville community about 16 miles southwest of here. The 4 victims, 3 girls, the oldest about 13, and a boy, were the children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, according to Fred Wright, Brandenburg funeral director, who brought the bodies here. Sheriff Allen Thompson said they were Virginia, 13; Margaret, 11; Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7. The sheriff said the children had left a school bus on KY 64 to walk the mile to their home along a private gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. Caught in the storm, they apparently started running. When they came to what is usually a placid wet-weather creek, they probably ran into it without realizing the stream they had been fording daily was impassible. They were swept off their feet. At the edge of the one-way road they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled down the steep bed of the creek until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The body of one of the children was found a mile downstream. Wright said it was possible the children were confused by the pelting hail and rain. The condition of the bodies indicated they were badly beaten by hail and by being tumbled against the rock course of the stream. Sheriff Thompson agreed, "That hail was so heavy, it could have killed children," he said, adding, that he was sure the children were alive when swept over the cliff. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire and spreading to another barn nearby. Thompson said hailstones in the community covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. Some of the stones were up to an inch and a half in diameter, but most were about the size of marbles. The roof of his home in Brandenburg, said Thompson, looked as if someone had been "beating on it with a hammer." Hail was 5 inches deep on the streets of Brandenburg.
LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER OBITUARY – 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 4
Three sisters and a brother, caught in a terrific hail and rain storm that swept Meade County, drowned late today [March 4, 1955] in a small creek. The creek had been swollen to a raging torrent by a flash flood that rolled down from the hills surrounding their home in the Andyville community about 16 miles southwest of here. The 4 victims, 3 girls, the oldest about 13, and a boy, were the children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, according to Fred Wright, Brandenburg funeral director, who brought the bodies here. Sheriff Allen Thompson said they were Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7. The sheriff said the children had left a school bus on KY 64 to walk the mile to their home along a gravel private road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. Caught in the storm, they apparently started running. When they came to what is usually a placid wet-weather creek, they probably ran into it without realizing the stream they had been fording daily was impassible. They were swept off their feet. At the edge of the one-way road they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled down the steep bed of the creek until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The body of one of the children was found a mile downstream. Wright said it was possible the children were confused by the pelting hail and rain. The condition of the bodies indicated they were badly beaten by hail and by being tumbled against the rock course of the stream. Sheriff Thompson agreed, "That hail was so heavy, it could have killed children," he said, adding, that he was sure the children were alive when swept over the cliff. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire and spreading to another barn nearby. Thompson said hailstones in the community covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. Some of the stones were up to an inch and a half in diameter, but most were about the size of marbles. The roof of his home in Brandenburg, said Thompson, looked as if someone had been "beating on it with a hammer." Hail was 5 inches deep on the streets of Brandenburg.
LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER OBITUARY – 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 5
Three sisters and a brother, en-route from school to their home, were drowned late Friday [March 4, 1955] in a small creek swollen to a raging torrent by hail and heavy rains. Sheriff Allen Thompson said the children, ranging in age from 7 to 13, had left a school bus to walk the mile to their home along a gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. They apparently started running when the storm struck &, arriving at what usually is a calm wet-weather stream, they plunged into it without realizing its depths and ferocity. The rampaging waters swept them off their feet, they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The sheriff identified the victims as Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7, children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty. The sheriff said hailstones in this area covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. The accident occurred about 16 miles southwest of here. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire and spreading to another barn nearby.
BOWLING GREEN PARK CITY DAILY NEWS OBITUARY – 03/06/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 5
Three sisters and a brother, en-route from school to their home, were drowned late yesterday [March 4, 1955] in a small creek swollen to a raging torrent by hail and heavy rains. Sheriff Allen Thompson said the children, ranging in age from 7 to 13, had left a school bus to walk the mile to their home along a gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. They apparently started running when the storm struck &, arriving at what usually is a calm wet-weather stream, they plunged into it without realizing its depths and ferocity. The rampaging waters swept them off their feet, they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The sheriff identified the victims as Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7, children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty. The sheriff said hailstones in this area covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. The accident occurred about 16 miles southwest of here.
MEADE COUNTY MESSENGER ARTICLE – 03/10/1955
A flash hail and rainstorm hit Brandenburg and parts of Meade County last Friday afternoon, and almost unbelievable damage was done to buildings, roofs and windows. Everyone said they had never seen a hail storm so bad. Damage by the storm was estimated at $500,000 by J.B. Woolfolk of the Casperke Insurance Agency. Local insurance agents have been busy ever since the storm receiving claims for storm damage. Mr. Woolfolk said practically every policy holder in and near Brandenburg had a claim to file. The hail stones were huge and literally fell in by the buckets full with a hard rain before and afterwards. Downtown Brandenburg buildings were damaged by the rush of water and hail that gathered speed as it rushed toward the river. The sewer overflowed and a hail gorge formed as it hit the back part of Applegate Motors Garage, and the garage doors had to be opened to let it pass through the building so it would not be demolished. After the storm subsided the hail stones were about 2 feet deep in the back part of the building, and it took all day Saturday with a large hose spraying water and a bulldozer to get the building free of ice. Back of the Messenger office the hail washed up to the lights on cars parked there, and had not sufficiently melted Wednesday to get all the cars out. Many business buildings downtown had water running into them. The river is also at flood stage which slowed the flood waters from passing off. The storm seemed to hit a strip of about 10 miles wide and extended almost the length of the county, keeping fairly near the river. The Messenger has not heard of all damage done, but 2 barns belonging on Mrs. Beulah Smith's farm at Andyville burned during the storm, and it was on her farm where Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty lived whose children lost their lives in the hail and rain swollen creek, on their way from school.
Contributor: Francie Ede (47144964)
MEADE COUNTY MESSENGER OBITUARY - 03/10/1955
FOUR CHILDREN DROWNED DURING RAIN-HAIL STORM
Swept to their deaths in a Meade County creek Friday were the children of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hardesty, Andyville. The 4 youngsters left a school bus to walk a mile to their home. Caught in a hail storm, they apparently started to run through the creek which was swollen to a torrent by a flash flood. They were tumbled down the steep, rocky creek bed until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The worse single tragedy ever to happen to a Meade County family occurred last Friday afternoon when four of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hardesty's children were drowned in a rain-hail swollen creek on their way home from school. Those drowned were: Jean Marie, 13 years old, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9 and Willis 7. After the children had left the school bus Friday afternoon, they started home in the rain and hail storm and in crossing a creek which was swollen from the rain and hail, all four were drowned. They were swept down the stream until their small bodies were caught on rocks and tree branches. Surviving are their parents, a brother, William Thomas, 5 years old, and a sister, Mary Evelyn, 2, also their maternal grandfather, Albert Allen of Andyville. Funeral services were conducted Monday morning at St. Mary Magdalen Church, Payneville, KY with Wright Funeral Home in charge. The entire community extends deepest sympathy in their bereavement.
obituary from Phil Burch
COURIER JOURNAL OBITUARY - 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 4
Three sisters and their brother drowned in a terrific hail and rain storm that swept Meade County late today [March 4, 1955]. The children drowned in a small creek that had been swollen to a raging torrent by a flash flood that rolled down from the hills surrounding their home. They lived in the Andyville community about 16 miles west of here. The 4 were children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, according to Fred Wright, Brandenburg funeral director, who brought the bodies here. Sheriff Allen Thompson said they were Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7. The children, he said, had left a school bus on KY 64 to walk the mile to their home along a private gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. Caught in the storm, they apparently started running. When they came to what is usually a placid wet-weather creek, they probably ran into it without realizing the stream they had been fording daily was impassible. They were swept off their feet. At the edge of the one-way road they were rolled down about a 5-6 foot cliff and then tumbled down the steep, rocky bed of the creek until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The body of one of the children was found a mile downstream. Wright said it was possible the children were confused by the pelting hail and rain. The condition of the bodies indicated they were badly beaten by hail and by being tumbled against the rock course of the stream. Sheriff Thompson concurred, "That hail was so heavy, it could have killed children," he said, adding, however, that he was sure the Hardesty children were alive when swept over the cliff. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home, where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire. The fire spread to another barn nearby. Thompson said hailstones in the community covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. Some of the stones were up to 1-1/2 inches in diameter, but most were about the size of marbles. In Brandenburg, hail was up to 5 inches deep on the streets. The roof of his home in Brandenburg, Thompson said, looked as though someone had been "beating it with a hammer." J.M. Willis, editor of The Meade County Messenger here, said older residents of the community described the storm as the worst they ever had seen. He said hailstones had drifted up to the headlights of his parked automobile. Some of them had been washed against it in the downpour. Five hours after the storm hailstones were still up to 2 inches deep in spots, he continued. Windows were broken throughout the community and roofs of many houses damaged. Wright said an extremely heavy fog that rose after the hailstorm so blanketed the area that it required 2 hours for him to drive the 16 miles to Andyville. Wright said the storm appeared to have been more severe in the Andyville community than in Brandenburg. He said he had been told that the Battletown area west of Brandenburg was also hard hit. The Hardesty children attended St. Theresa Catholic School near Rhodelia, about 5 miles from their home.
COURIER JOURNAL OBITUARY - 03/06/1955
Swept to their deaths in a Meade County creek Friday [March 4, 1955] were these children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, Andyville. The 4 youngsters left a school bus to walk a mile to their home. Caught in a hail and rain storm, they apparently started to run through the creek which was swollen to a torrent by a flash flood. They were tumbled down the steep, rocky creek bed until their bodies caught on rocks and tree branches. Joint funerals for the 4 Hardesty children drowned yesterday in a creek near their home during a torrential rain and hail storm will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Catholic Church at Payneville. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Besides their parents, Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, the 4, Jean Marie, Margaret, Mary Ruth and Willis Hardesty, are survived by a brother, William Thomas, 5, and a sister, Mary Evelyn, 2, and their maternal grandfather, Albert Allen, Andyville.
OWENSBORO MESSENGER INQUIRER OBITUARY - 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 4
Three sisters and a brother, caught in a terrific hail and rain storm that swept Meade County, drowned late today [March 4, 1955] in a small creek. The creek had been swollen to a raging torrent by a flash flood that rolled down from the hills surrounding their home in the Andyville community about 16 miles southwest of here. The 4 victims, 3 girls, the oldest about 13, and a boy, were the children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, according to Fred Wright, Brandenburg funeral director, who brought the bodies here. Sheriff Allen Thompson said they were Virginia, 13; Margaret, 11; Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7. The sheriff said the children had left a school bus on KY 64 to walk the mile to their home along a private gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. Caught in the storm, they apparently started running. When they came to what is usually a placid wet-weather creek, they probably ran into it without realizing the stream they had been fording daily was impassible. They were swept off their feet. At the edge of the one-way road they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled down the steep bed of the creek until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The body of one of the children was found a mile downstream. Wright said it was possible the children were confused by the pelting hail and rain. The condition of the bodies indicated they were badly beaten by hail and by being tumbled against the rock course of the stream. Sheriff Thompson agreed, "That hail was so heavy, it could have killed children," he said, adding, that he was sure the children were alive when swept over the cliff. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire and spreading to another barn nearby. Thompson said hailstones in the community covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. Some of the stones were up to an inch and a half in diameter, but most were about the size of marbles. The roof of his home in Brandenburg, said Thompson, looked as if someone had been "beating on it with a hammer." Hail was 5 inches deep on the streets of Brandenburg.
LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER OBITUARY – 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 4
Three sisters and a brother, caught in a terrific hail and rain storm that swept Meade County, drowned late today [March 4, 1955] in a small creek. The creek had been swollen to a raging torrent by a flash flood that rolled down from the hills surrounding their home in the Andyville community about 16 miles southwest of here. The 4 victims, 3 girls, the oldest about 13, and a boy, were the children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, according to Fred Wright, Brandenburg funeral director, who brought the bodies here. Sheriff Allen Thompson said they were Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7. The sheriff said the children had left a school bus on KY 64 to walk the mile to their home along a gravel private road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. Caught in the storm, they apparently started running. When they came to what is usually a placid wet-weather creek, they probably ran into it without realizing the stream they had been fording daily was impassible. They were swept off their feet. At the edge of the one-way road they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled down the steep bed of the creek until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The body of one of the children was found a mile downstream. Wright said it was possible the children were confused by the pelting hail and rain. The condition of the bodies indicated they were badly beaten by hail and by being tumbled against the rock course of the stream. Sheriff Thompson agreed, "That hail was so heavy, it could have killed children," he said, adding, that he was sure the children were alive when swept over the cliff. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire and spreading to another barn nearby. Thompson said hailstones in the community covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. Some of the stones were up to an inch and a half in diameter, but most were about the size of marbles. The roof of his home in Brandenburg, said Thompson, looked as if someone had been "beating on it with a hammer." Hail was 5 inches deep on the streets of Brandenburg.
LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER OBITUARY – 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 5
Three sisters and a brother, en-route from school to their home, were drowned late Friday [March 4, 1955] in a small creek swollen to a raging torrent by hail and heavy rains. Sheriff Allen Thompson said the children, ranging in age from 7 to 13, had left a school bus to walk the mile to their home along a gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. They apparently started running when the storm struck &, arriving at what usually is a calm wet-weather stream, they plunged into it without realizing its depths and ferocity. The rampaging waters swept them off their feet, they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The sheriff identified the victims as Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7, children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty. The sheriff said hailstones in this area covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. The accident occurred about 16 miles southwest of here. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire and spreading to another barn nearby.
BOWLING GREEN PARK CITY DAILY NEWS OBITUARY – 03/06/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 5
Three sisters and a brother, en-route from school to their home, were drowned late yesterday [March 4, 1955] in a small creek swollen to a raging torrent by hail and heavy rains. Sheriff Allen Thompson said the children, ranging in age from 7 to 13, had left a school bus to walk the mile to their home along a gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. They apparently started running when the storm struck &, arriving at what usually is a calm wet-weather stream, they plunged into it without realizing its depths and ferocity. The rampaging waters swept them off their feet, they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The sheriff identified the victims as Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7, children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty. The sheriff said hailstones in this area covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. The accident occurred about 16 miles southwest of here.
MEADE COUNTY MESSENGER ARTICLE – 03/10/1955
A flash hail and rainstorm hit Brandenburg and parts of Meade County last Friday afternoon, and almost unbelievable damage was done to buildings, roofs and windows. Everyone said they had never seen a hail storm so bad. Damage by the storm was estimated at $500,000 by J.B. Woolfolk of the Casperke Insurance Agency. Local insurance agents have been busy ever since the storm receiving claims for storm damage. Mr. Woolfolk said practically every policy holder in and near Brandenburg had a claim to file. The hail stones were huge and literally fell in by the buckets full with a hard rain before and afterwards. Downtown Brandenburg buildings were damaged by the rush of water and hail that gathered speed as it rushed toward the river. The sewer overflowed and a hail gorge formed as it hit the back part of Applegate Motors Garage, and the garage doors had to be opened to let it pass through the building so it would not be demolished. After the storm subsided the hail stones were about 2 feet deep in the back part of the building, and it took all day Saturday with a large hose spraying water and a bulldozer to get the building free of ice. Back of the Messenger office the hail washed up to the lights on cars parked there, and had not sufficiently melted Wednesday to get all the cars out. Many business buildings downtown had water running into them. The river is also at flood stage which slowed the flood waters from passing off. The storm seemed to hit a strip of about 10 miles wide and extended almost the length of the county, keeping fairly near the river. The Messenger has not heard of all damage done, but 2 barns belonging on Mrs. Beulah Smith's farm at Andyville burned during the storm, and it was on her farm where Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty lived whose children lost their lives in the hail and rain swollen creek, on their way from school.
Contributor: Francie Ede (47144964)
FOUR CHILDREN DROWNED DURING RAIN-HAIL STORM
Swept to their deaths in a Meade County creek Friday were the children of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hardesty, Andyville. The 4 youngsters left a school bus to walk a mile to their home. Caught in a hail storm, they apparently started to run through the creek which was swollen to a torrent by a flash flood. They were tumbled down the steep, rocky creek bed until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The worse single tragedy ever to happen to a Meade County family occurred last Friday afternoon when four of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hardesty's children were drowned in a rain-hail swollen creek on their way home from school. Those drowned were: Jean Marie, 13 years old, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9 and Willis 7. After the children had left the school bus Friday afternoon, they started home in the rain and hail storm and in crossing a creek which was swollen from the rain and hail, all four were drowned. They were swept down the stream until their small bodies were caught on rocks and tree branches. Surviving are their parents, a brother, William Thomas, 5 years old, and a sister, Mary Evelyn, 2, also their maternal grandfather, Albert Allen of Andyville. Funeral services were conducted Monday morning at St. Mary Magdalen Church, Payneville, KY with Wright Funeral Home in charge. The entire community extends deepest sympathy in their bereavement.
obituary from Phil Burch
COURIER JOURNAL OBITUARY - 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 4
Three sisters and their brother drowned in a terrific hail and rain storm that swept Meade County late today [March 4, 1955]. The children drowned in a small creek that had been swollen to a raging torrent by a flash flood that rolled down from the hills surrounding their home. They lived in the Andyville community about 16 miles west of here. The 4 were children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, according to Fred Wright, Brandenburg funeral director, who brought the bodies here. Sheriff Allen Thompson said they were Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7. The children, he said, had left a school bus on KY 64 to walk the mile to their home along a private gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. Caught in the storm, they apparently started running. When they came to what is usually a placid wet-weather creek, they probably ran into it without realizing the stream they had been fording daily was impassible. They were swept off their feet. At the edge of the one-way road they were rolled down about a 5-6 foot cliff and then tumbled down the steep, rocky bed of the creek until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The body of one of the children was found a mile downstream. Wright said it was possible the children were confused by the pelting hail and rain. The condition of the bodies indicated they were badly beaten by hail and by being tumbled against the rock course of the stream. Sheriff Thompson concurred, "That hail was so heavy, it could have killed children," he said, adding, however, that he was sure the Hardesty children were alive when swept over the cliff. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home, where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire. The fire spread to another barn nearby. Thompson said hailstones in the community covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. Some of the stones were up to 1-1/2 inches in diameter, but most were about the size of marbles. In Brandenburg, hail was up to 5 inches deep on the streets. The roof of his home in Brandenburg, Thompson said, looked as though someone had been "beating it with a hammer." J.M. Willis, editor of The Meade County Messenger here, said older residents of the community described the storm as the worst they ever had seen. He said hailstones had drifted up to the headlights of his parked automobile. Some of them had been washed against it in the downpour. Five hours after the storm hailstones were still up to 2 inches deep in spots, he continued. Windows were broken throughout the community and roofs of many houses damaged. Wright said an extremely heavy fog that rose after the hailstorm so blanketed the area that it required 2 hours for him to drive the 16 miles to Andyville. Wright said the storm appeared to have been more severe in the Andyville community than in Brandenburg. He said he had been told that the Battletown area west of Brandenburg was also hard hit. The Hardesty children attended St. Theresa Catholic School near Rhodelia, about 5 miles from their home.
COURIER JOURNAL OBITUARY - 03/06/1955
Swept to their deaths in a Meade County creek Friday [March 4, 1955] were these children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, Andyville. The 4 youngsters left a school bus to walk a mile to their home. Caught in a hail and rain storm, they apparently started to run through the creek which was swollen to a torrent by a flash flood. They were tumbled down the steep, rocky creek bed until their bodies caught on rocks and tree branches. Joint funerals for the 4 Hardesty children drowned yesterday in a creek near their home during a torrential rain and hail storm will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Catholic Church at Payneville. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Besides their parents, Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, the 4, Jean Marie, Margaret, Mary Ruth and Willis Hardesty, are survived by a brother, William Thomas, 5, and a sister, Mary Evelyn, 2, and their maternal grandfather, Albert Allen, Andyville.
OWENSBORO MESSENGER INQUIRER OBITUARY - 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 4
Three sisters and a brother, caught in a terrific hail and rain storm that swept Meade County, drowned late today [March 4, 1955] in a small creek. The creek had been swollen to a raging torrent by a flash flood that rolled down from the hills surrounding their home in the Andyville community about 16 miles southwest of here. The 4 victims, 3 girls, the oldest about 13, and a boy, were the children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, according to Fred Wright, Brandenburg funeral director, who brought the bodies here. Sheriff Allen Thompson said they were Virginia, 13; Margaret, 11; Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7. The sheriff said the children had left a school bus on KY 64 to walk the mile to their home along a private gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. Caught in the storm, they apparently started running. When they came to what is usually a placid wet-weather creek, they probably ran into it without realizing the stream they had been fording daily was impassible. They were swept off their feet. At the edge of the one-way road they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled down the steep bed of the creek until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The body of one of the children was found a mile downstream. Wright said it was possible the children were confused by the pelting hail and rain. The condition of the bodies indicated they were badly beaten by hail and by being tumbled against the rock course of the stream. Sheriff Thompson agreed, "That hail was so heavy, it could have killed children," he said, adding, that he was sure the children were alive when swept over the cliff. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire and spreading to another barn nearby. Thompson said hailstones in the community covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. Some of the stones were up to an inch and a half in diameter, but most were about the size of marbles. The roof of his home in Brandenburg, said Thompson, looked as if someone had been "beating on it with a hammer." Hail was 5 inches deep on the streets of Brandenburg.
LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER OBITUARY – 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 4
Three sisters and a brother, caught in a terrific hail and rain storm that swept Meade County, drowned late today [March 4, 1955] in a small creek. The creek had been swollen to a raging torrent by a flash flood that rolled down from the hills surrounding their home in the Andyville community about 16 miles southwest of here. The 4 victims, 3 girls, the oldest about 13, and a boy, were the children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty, according to Fred Wright, Brandenburg funeral director, who brought the bodies here. Sheriff Allen Thompson said they were Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7. The sheriff said the children had left a school bus on KY 64 to walk the mile to their home along a gravel private road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. Caught in the storm, they apparently started running. When they came to what is usually a placid wet-weather creek, they probably ran into it without realizing the stream they had been fording daily was impassible. They were swept off their feet. At the edge of the one-way road they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled down the steep bed of the creek until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The body of one of the children was found a mile downstream. Wright said it was possible the children were confused by the pelting hail and rain. The condition of the bodies indicated they were badly beaten by hail and by being tumbled against the rock course of the stream. Sheriff Thompson agreed, "That hail was so heavy, it could have killed children," he said, adding, that he was sure the children were alive when swept over the cliff. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire and spreading to another barn nearby. Thompson said hailstones in the community covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. Some of the stones were up to an inch and a half in diameter, but most were about the size of marbles. The roof of his home in Brandenburg, said Thompson, looked as if someone had been "beating on it with a hammer." Hail was 5 inches deep on the streets of Brandenburg.
LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER OBITUARY – 03/05/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 5
Three sisters and a brother, en-route from school to their home, were drowned late Friday [March 4, 1955] in a small creek swollen to a raging torrent by hail and heavy rains. Sheriff Allen Thompson said the children, ranging in age from 7 to 13, had left a school bus to walk the mile to their home along a gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. They apparently started running when the storm struck &, arriving at what usually is a calm wet-weather stream, they plunged into it without realizing its depths and ferocity. The rampaging waters swept them off their feet, they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The sheriff identified the victims as Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7, children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty. The sheriff said hailstones in this area covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. The accident occurred about 16 miles southwest of here. The spot where the children were washed off the road is only about 300 yards from the Smith home where the children's father was helping fight a barn fire at the time. Sheriff Thompson said lightning, which was extremely severe, had struck one barn on the Smith farm, setting it afire and spreading to another barn nearby.
BOWLING GREEN PARK CITY DAILY NEWS OBITUARY – 03/06/1955
BRANDENBURG, KY - MARCH 5
Three sisters and a brother, en-route from school to their home, were drowned late yesterday [March 4, 1955] in a small creek swollen to a raging torrent by hail and heavy rains. Sheriff Allen Thompson said the children, ranging in age from 7 to 13, had left a school bus to walk the mile to their home along a gravel road that led through the farm of Charlie Smith. They apparently started running when the storm struck &, arriving at what usually is a calm wet-weather stream, they plunged into it without realizing its depths and ferocity. The rampaging waters swept them off their feet, they were rolled down about a 5 or 6 foot cliff and then tumbled until their bodies caught on rocks or tree branches. The sheriff identified the victims as Virginia, 13, Margaret, 11, Mary Ruth, 9, and James, 7, children of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty. The sheriff said hailstones in this area covered the roads to depths up to 6 inches. The accident occurred about 16 miles southwest of here.
MEADE COUNTY MESSENGER ARTICLE – 03/10/1955
A flash hail and rainstorm hit Brandenburg and parts of Meade County last Friday afternoon, and almost unbelievable damage was done to buildings, roofs and windows. Everyone said they had never seen a hail storm so bad. Damage by the storm was estimated at $500,000 by J.B. Woolfolk of the Casperke Insurance Agency. Local insurance agents have been busy ever since the storm receiving claims for storm damage. Mr. Woolfolk said practically every policy holder in and near Brandenburg had a claim to file. The hail stones were huge and literally fell in by the buckets full with a hard rain before and afterwards. Downtown Brandenburg buildings were damaged by the rush of water and hail that gathered speed as it rushed toward the river. The sewer overflowed and a hail gorge formed as it hit the back part of Applegate Motors Garage, and the garage doors had to be opened to let it pass through the building so it would not be demolished. After the storm subsided the hail stones were about 2 feet deep in the back part of the building, and it took all day Saturday with a large hose spraying water and a bulldozer to get the building free of ice. Back of the Messenger office the hail washed up to the lights on cars parked there, and had not sufficiently melted Wednesday to get all the cars out. Many business buildings downtown had water running into them. The river is also at flood stage which slowed the flood waters from passing off. The storm seemed to hit a strip of about 10 miles wide and extended almost the length of the county, keeping fairly near the river. The Messenger has not heard of all damage done, but 2 barns belonging on Mrs. Beulah Smith's farm at Andyville burned during the storm, and it was on her farm where Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardesty lived whose children lost their lives in the hail and rain swollen creek, on their way from school.
Contributor: Francie Ede (47144964)
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