| Notes |
- THINK HE IS LOST.
Titusville Man Believed to Have Lost His Life in the St. Louis Disaster
Titusville, Pa., May 30 - H. W.[W. H.] Keefer, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Keefer, is believed to have lost his life in the St. Louis disaster, as he worked in the office of the Vandalia freight house, which was wrecked by the storm. Receiving no response to telegrams, Mr. Keefer left for St. Louis this morning to investigate the matter.
(Buffalo Evening News, Buffalo, NY, Saturday, May 30., 1896)
--The May 27, 1896 St. Louis disaster was a result of one of the most devastating tornado events in US history. Two large tornados leveled areas of the city - F4 tornado. Fourteen of the thirty-five clerks in the Vandalia office died when the building collapsed.
- W. H. Keefer, bill clerk for the Vandalia, who is suffering from a severe bruising and internal injuries, was in the office at the time of the approach of the storm, and with others in the building tried to hold the door closed, but the wind blew the windows in and then all ran for places of safety. Mr. Keefer and Mr. Hanford started for the other side of the building when it collapsed, burying both under its walls, but near the surface from which position they were rescued. Mr. Hanford a little while afterwards, and Mr. Keefer after about four hours, but all the time they were able to talk to those engaged in the rescue and give them direction.
(St.Louis Glove-Democrat, Friday, May 29, 1896, page 11)
--There are several stories in this paper about the perils of the storm and the collapse of the old building in which the Vandalia offices were situated, in the direct path of the tornado. After the crash of the walls "pandemonium reigned; those who had escaped with their lives ran frantically about, crying for help, the fierce and almost unearthly shrieks of the dying filled the air...."
- His house was skipped in the 1900 census - 1899 city directory he was living at 4627 Kennerly Ave., also there is Frank Buird (his late wife's father). In 1901 city directory he was living on Washington Ave, as was the widow Mary B. Riley.
1910 living in St.Louis,MO (w/wife Mary) working as a clerk in a Railroad office.
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1871 - Aft 1913 (43 years)
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