GRADY, William - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Hedrick, Ind April 20 – The survivors of the disastrous storm that almost swept this place from the map Monday evening put side the task of clearing the debris and attended the funerals of their neighbors and friends who met death. The town is under martial law, Company I, Indiana national guard of Attica under command of Capt. James E. Roderick being in charge. Not only are the militiamen guarding the property but they are regulating traffic and assisting in clearing the wreckage. They arrived here yesterday when Sheriff “Bud” Stewart after being on duty with the Hedrick Horse Thief Detective Association sent an appeal for help to Governor McCray. Visitors are barred from the storm area of the town and may only view the scene of devastation from a distance. Thousands of people from all parts of the state are swarming to the scene of the worst storm disaster that ever struck western Indiana.

Funeral services were scheduled throughout the day. The first service was held at 8:30 o’clock this morning at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arnet Byers near Pleasant View or “Soul Sleeper’s corner two and a half miles east of here. Side by side in one coffin lay the bodies of the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Gritton. The bodies of baby Ruth, 3 months and Paul E 6 years were taken to the Byers home following the storm and when little Ivan 3 years old died Tuesday night his body also was taken to the Byers home. Scores of relatives and friends attended the services which were very impressive. At 10 o’clock the mourners assembled at the Methodist Church in West Lebanon where services for Goldie Smith the 17-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Smith were conducted. The Rev. Mr. Dean, pastor of the church was in charge.

Services for Mrs. Phillip High killed in her home at Pleasant View were conducted from the home of her father, Charles Wakely at 10:30 o’clock. The interment was in West Lebanon cemetery.

At 2 o’clock this afternoon scores of friends and relatives assembled in the Christian Church at West Lebanon to attend the funeral of Grover Johnson, popular resident of Hedrick who lost his life in the death dealing storm. The members of the Masonic Lodge at West Lebanon and members of Jordan Lodge F&AM of Hedrick of which he was master were in charge of the service. This morning at 9 o’clock in the Catholic Church at Attica solemn mass of requiem was chanted for the repose of Katie Florence Kuntz, the young girl who lost her life at the Leper farm near Judyville. The interment was in the Attica cemetery.

Tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock the last of the funerals for the storm victims will be held at the Christian Church in West Lebanon. A double service will be conducted for William Grady and his daughter Grace who were killed while racing to warn each other of the impending storm. Burial will be in the West Lebanon cemetery.

The injured are all doing well and with the exception of little Helen Gritton it is believed all have good chances of recovery. The child is at Lake View Hospital in Danville and her condition is serious. Mrs. Anthony Gritton, the mother is still in the hospital and was unable to attend the funeral of her children. Mr. Gritton was able to leave the hospital Thursday morning. Harland Gritton, another son is also in the hospital and in serious condition

Work of cleaning the wreckage was also begun in the country districts Wednesday. A force of workmen arrived at the Ford brothers farm on Thursday ready to reconstruct a home. At the Philip High home carpenters were arranging to build a house on the site of the one that was destroyed. At several other places the task of reconstruction had begun almost before the wreckage was cleared. - kbz