Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1858-05-20
STEAMBOATS, nLowN TO PIECES,
IRON the Chicigo Tribune.l

someporions of the State, of unpreccden-
tel violence. 1t covered large extent of
territory and everywhere its track is mark
ed with painful damage to property, and,
perhaps, as further intelligence will show,
loss OF life. 1t seems to have crossed the
Mississippi, near Oquawka, and to have
extended Eastward, at least as far as Me-
Lean county. where we hear of some of its
disastrous effects. In the West, there was
much hail accompanying the wind. and cv-
crywherc great fall of rain. We hear
that at Lexington, on the line of the st.
Louis. Alton and Chicago Road, the storm
was terrific. In letter below we are told
OF its freaks with the up train; and an in
iormant at our elbow says that nearly cv-
cry house in the village was unroofed or
blown down. The air was loaded with
the wreck which was made; the heavens
were black with clouds which were pour
ing out destruction, and more than one who
was there felt that end of all things was at
hand. IfLcxington has escaped with great
loss of life, the fact is most wonderful of
all.
At this point there was copious rain.
and some Thunder and lightning; but moth
ing to Indicate the destruction going on
elsewhere. The cvcning steamers left port
as usual, and though the gale was high, it
was not unusual. Later in the evening. the
wind increased, but before 10 o'clock all
was still again.
Below we print hasty letter from Lex
ington, kindly forwarded by an officer of
the road:
LEXINGTON, May Is, 1858.
EDrroRs TRIpuxE:-This evening about
q o'clock we were visited 10y severe storm,
accompanied by the most fearful thunder
and lightning ever experienced here. The
storm lasted about twenty minutes, and af-
ter it hal, to all appearance. cleared up, it
was succeeded by the most terrific wind
ever known in this section of the State
The rain fell in torrents, and nearly every
house in Lexington was unroofed and a
number of them blown down.
The passenger train from st. Louis, by
which send this, was blown from the
track and cars tipped over. but, with the
exception Of a few slight flesh wounds, the
passengers were unnlurcd. Before the train
capsizcd all the ear windows on the wind
ward side, were blown out; the engineer
and Grcman were both blown fiom the en-
ginc, AMI brakeman was also blown OF
one of the cars. The storm struck the
train short distance north from here
The passengers speak in most compliment
AIRY terms OF the GOODNESS and skill mani
tested by the conductor, Sir. L. ID. Viii
liams, in the sudden emergency in which
Inc was required to act, and also for his Ell
forts to provide for the comfort of his pas
sengers after the accident occurred.
have time to write only few particu-
lars, but you will doubtless learn of wide
spread and severe disasters in this portion
of the State. STORM.
We learn from a passenger on the above
capsizcd train, that great damage was done
by the tornado at the junction of the Peoria
and Oquawka roa,ls with the ST. Louis,
Alton and Chicago Railroads. Both sta
ton houses were unroofcd, five or six emp
~ freight cars were blown from the track,
dwelling houses were unroofe,l, moved
bodily twenty OF thirty feet. or entirely de
molishcd, and yet. amid all this wide spread
disaster, he could learn Of no one seriously
injured Mr. G. NJ. Caly, Mr.. Ebcrhari
(editor anil proprietor OF the Northwestern
/ Home Journal, and other citizens Of Chi
cago. were OH the capsized train, but es-
capped unhurt. All bear testimony to the
GOODNESS anil efficiency of the conductor.
Mr.. l.. ID. Williams.
We cut from the Journal of last evening,
an account OF the effects of the storm at the
West, which agrees with information re-
ceivcd by later trains.
GMEsBURG-The storm was severe
along the Chicago. Burlington Il Qaincy
Railroad. At Galcsburg it was terrible
The engine house of the Railroad Company
and two churches just completed, were
blown down, anil number OF dwelling
houses were unroofci Three ears standing
ON the track were blown off and turned up
side down The amount of the damages
at Galcsburg is estimated at $40, 900. Nc
lives lost.
! OQUAwKA.-Two steam mills were ruin
ed 1T Oquawka and ten houses unroofed
besides other damage done. Damages es-
timatei at from $4,000 to SIS 200. Sc
far as asccrtaincd, no lives were lost.
| GaLvA.-At this place large two-stor,
dwelling house was rendered complete
ruin; portion of Mr.. Babcock's dwelling
was also blown down Nearly all the out
houses in that village were upset. The
wind carried large boxes, lumber. barrels,
&c, into the air as if they were paper. \
large church was moved from its founda-
ton about foot. The storm rageI hard
est between 6 and o'clock.
MENDOZA Here the storm was also fu
ricus, and while in progress, the railroad
engine house caught fire aud was consumed
together with the locomotive Rocket.
We hear Of much damage done in thu
country, but, with the above exceptions
have no particulars. We shall probabl,
have farther details by Tomorrow.
While this severe gale was raging. tn
rain and hail pourcd down in a perfec
sheet 1t was truly terrific. Wehave no
as yet heard of any disaster on the lakes.