The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-01-03
SATURDAYS Gale,


northwest, most furious and alarming
gale OF wiud-a steady straight blow,
carrying away roofs, sweeping down fences,
sheds, small buildings, etc. in all directions. |
The forenoon was balmy and mild as May.
The sun shone out for the first time in |
several days. and overcoats were not
needed, In some dwellings calls were re-
ceived with open windows-a rare thing in
Rock Island. 1n the afternoon threaten
ing clouds appeared, and about 8 O'Clock
we had a very heavy rain, succeeded by a
furious gale from the south-an unusual
direction for So strong wind 1t was not
a whlrlwlnd, but was a steady, straight
blow, carrying down every weak thing in
its course. Lumber at the lumber yards
flew in all directions; weak chimney tops
went down; so did fences and sheds; signs
flew from their fastenings; store boxes
went kiteing around the street, and no one
was sa to be out of doors. A peice of
slate from the roof Of the Harper House
came down with a whirl, and had it struck
man or beast would have killed them, with
out doubt
At Dimick's fair grounds, the wind
blew down all of the fence on the north
side
At Porter's coal mines, near Coaltown,
the roofs of several barns were carried
away, and fences were Frustrated every
where.
At Milan the roof of Frysinger's rectify-
ing house was blown off and carried about
200 yards, and into the river. Two large
empty corn cribs near the distllery were
also blown fiat, and fences, hay stacks.
pig pens, and shed were blown over 10
Milan.
| Considerable damage was done to the
city property at the Rock river gate, and
Bridge Tender Gray with force of men
had all they could do to save the pontoon
bridge. -Four ice houses were laid fat
one belonging to Mr. Cromie, of Louis
ville one to Mr.. Goodell, and two to Mr..
Butler
At Orion, on the p. 4 r. |, road, the
water tank was blown down upon the
: track, breaking the rails, and Conductor
Lowrey's train was delayed three hours.
At Rio, in Mercer county, freight cal
was capsized on the track of the s.. Louis
road, delaying the train half an hour,
e At Edwardsrille, two stations this side
: Of Rio, the depot roof was carried away.
At Monmouth sheds, fences, etc., wen
!, by the board.
In Chicago, the Sunday morning Tribune
: speaking of Saturday, says:
q AT o'clock tie rain came down il
e torrents, AID probably lasted about al
t hour. By that time breeze began t.
0 blow from the south, which soon grew int
y strong south by southwest wind, and tn
$ stars began to show themselves, Tn
D clouds had entirely disappeared, and tn
moon shone out respleudently The win,
y developed into hurricane, and in portion
s Of the city, especially the most exposed
shutters, signs, trees, and other movabl
articles were blown down or away. Tn
flags upon the stats, hung out in honor G
the day were torns into shreds in almos
a twinkling. The severity and velocity c
the wind were very great, and the damag
4 done must have been considerable"
II Much damage was done in and aroun
Is Chicago.
D, The telegraph wires were nearly ever
II, ~ where prostrated-but we learn that tt
1e storm prevailed as far south as Memph
I'd how much farther is not known.
~ We expect to hear of damage In .
bo directions.