The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-29
TORNADO.
A Terrific Time
Houses Demolished, Trees
Uprooted and Great DAM
age Done Generally.
And All Done in Five Mn
uteS.

Sr. LOUIS, February 2S.-A terrible
wind storm, amounting almost TO tor
nado, struck the northern part Of ST.
Charles, Mo-, yesterday afternoon, and
passing down Main and Second streets
demolished or badly injured twenty or
more buildings. James Gosney, an en-
ployee at the gas works, and his little son
were killed, and three or four others
more or less hurt. The storm went in
the direction OF Portage Des Sioux, and
is said to have destroyed several farm
houses and injured number OF persons.
Later advices from st. Charles state
that the damage by the tornado yester-
day was much exaggerated, but it will
be heavy, probably from 100000 to
sl5O,OO0.
The remains of George Linebur, a boy,
were found in the debris this morning.
THIS makes the third person killed by
the storm. About twenty persons were
injured.
ST. Louis, February 2S.-A letter
from St. Charles TO the 6e.Demoerdt
gives the following description Of the
storm there yesterday: 1t was first DIS
covered about three miles southwest Of
the city, and cams in the general direc-
tion of the river. 1t appeared to be
about two hundred yards wide and four
to five feet high-a yellow vertical col
umn, whirling and rolling with fright
full velocity, and apparently bound
ing from place to place. The debris it
caused is not found to have been carried
in any particular direction, but is scat
tered ali about Buildings entirely un-
scathed stand adjoining those utterly
wrecked, and upon Main street, with but
few exceptions, when q house upon one
side of the street felt the force of the
storm, another opposite escaped, show.
ing the whirl Of the storm to have been
very narrow, and that It's motion was
vibratory It's duration was not more
than five minutes, passing in that time
through the city from end to end. The
noise was terrific, and the popular des-
cription is that it resembled a multitude
Of railroad trains passing at full speed
over Ion. enclosed bridge. the farm
house of Rufus Robbins, six miles north
of town. was demolished. Mr.. Robbins
his wife and three children, and gen.
tlemaH, lady and child visiting, were all
severely injured, two Of the children dan
gerously. The tornado struck the rail-
road bridge, but without injurimg It,
after which it descended to the river, and
lifted great columns Of water to the
highth of several hundred feet.
Damage I'm Gibson County. Indiana
CISCISNATI, February 2S.-The Conn
nerciafs special places the number OF
houses blown down in the tornado at
Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana, last
night, at thirty.nine The storm struck
the southwestern part OF the town, and
lasted but one minute. 1t badly dam
aged five public school buildings,
demolished the new Church OF
the Covenanters, uprooted trees aud
blew down fences. A large number
of persons were injured one or two IA
tally. a little child was blown from its
bed into the garden. Another was
blown hundred yards and was found on
the railroad track. The names Of tho
injured, as far as ascertaned, was Mrs.
Clark. back broken; James Taylor, in
iured internally; Mrs. Blackherd,
thigh broken; Mrs. kindle, both legs
broken. The family Of Mr.. Jennl ngs
all more or less injured. a number Of
horses were killeI' There are rumors Of
great damage throughout the surround
ing country, but no particulars. The
damage in Princeton Is estimated at over
$4,000.
Additional particulars TO the same
paper from Pataks, station Jew miles
north of Princeton, say many hail stones
were found there measuring six inches in
circumference, some nearly eight. The
correspondent says reports from Princeton
sav eight persons were dangerously
injured. four of whom are not expected
to recover. One woman lost her eye
sight. over fifty houses were demol-
ished. and fftv more were badly dam
aged. The tornado was most severe
from the north side Of the public square
10 the southern limits OF the town. In
the track of the storm it is impossible 10
distinguish the streets or former
location of residences, everything being
prostrated. Several persons were buried
under the wreck OF the dwellings and
were taken out unharmed to-day. One
family found themselves walking on the
ceiling of their rooms, the house having
been inverted, vet they escaped un-
harmed. while those who attempted 10
escape, were injured.
Great Destruction at Princeton, Ind.
EVANSVILLE. February Z5.-The town
Of Princeton, twenty. eight miles north
Of this city, vas smitten with hurricane
last night At seven o'clock, causing great
destruction Of property and injuring
many persons. The storm travelled IN a
northeasterly direction, passing disgo-
nally over the town and thence through
the country. The storm lasted
only few minutes, but in that time
destroyed property the value OF which is
variously estimated al from 100000 70
sljOOOO. though it is impossible to make
any accurate calculation Of the damage.
Numerous farms with their build
ings throughout the county have also
been DESTROYED, 30 thst the whole
loss in the county will be nearly quar-
ter of q million. Some fifty or more
buildings are either wholly or partly de-
stroved. Prominent. among them are
the new public school, which lost It's
cupola and the greater part of the root.
A gris. mil and furniture factory are
both complete wrecks. The amount Of
personal injury - wonderfully small, no
persons having been killed and only two
or three ca IS where the injuries are
likely 70 prove fsta..
In one instance horse was discovered
in 3 cellar, where he must have been
carried from stable af!y yards away
wonderful Escape OF Cousin OF
Andrew Jackson.
James Leslie, an old man, who is q
fail cousin o! Gen. Andrew JsckseD,