Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-06-09
Terrible Tornado.

from Mt. Carmel, ILL.,, says: A terrible
storm struck this city today by which
sixteen men lost their lives and half a
million dollars worth of property was
destroyed
Among the killed are Alderman Wat.
kins, VIM. Newkirk, Mr.. Goodrich, MIR.
Barton Masterson and child, Fred.
Yeoke, George Moore, George Brfns, j.
A. Egar, Charles Narman and John
Fennas. A large number were wound
ed, several of whom will undoubtedly
die. The bodies of four killed were
burned. There are at least twenty-five
still missing. Later information says
four more bodies have been found, and
two of the wounded have since died
The ruins of the buildings are burning
threatening the total destruction of the
town. Among the buildings destroyed
are the Presbyterian and Methodist
churches, two school house, court house
and several stores and residences.
FURTHER DESTRUCTIVE WORK.
The Commercials Mattoo, Ills,
special says the seyerest storm ever ex-
perienced there occurred at $50 Z. NJ.
Wind, which was accompanied by
perfect flood of rain, came from the
southwest, sweeping line about 100
feet, wide to northeast, unroofng and
overturning buildings and residences.
The dwelling of Willis Walkup was
thrown into the street and turned up
side down, wounding Mrs. Walkup
very seriously. Several buildings were
entirely demolished.
CINCINNATI, June 5.-Mt. Carmel,
Illinois, which was nearly destroyed by
a tornado, las: evening, is thriving
town of about 5000 inhabitants, on the
Cairo and Vircennes railroad. The
most prominent buildings destroyed
were the courthouse, two newspaper
offices, three churches, one Of the finest
/ in Southern Illinois, and two school
houses About twenty business houses
aud nearly one hundred residences were
destroyed or damaged either by the
storm or by fire. The loss is estimated
at from 100000 to 100000. The
same tornado damaged a number OF
buildings in other towns lying i'll its
pathway.
The tornado passed over the town at
about $50 o'clock last evening. 1t
struck the town at the south end OF
Cherry street ard passed almost due
north, taking i'll about one square east
and west, and destroying almost every
thing in its course. twenty-five dead
bodies have been found thus far. The
fire was finally subdued after six
hours steady work by the firemen.
Many persons were wounded, whose
names cannot now be ascertained. The
loss of lite cannot now be estimated, as
a number of farmers were in from the
country whose teams were scattered
among the debre. Physicians were
brought from Carrni and adjoining
towns by special trains to assist in the
care of the wounded.
A Mount Carmel special tonight
says two convcreing lines Of devasta-
ton prove that the tornado Of yesterday
partook largely of the character OF a
cyclone. The first wreck was frame
farm house, which was blown out at the
sides, letting the Roof down upon the
foundation; thence the wind swept over
q small strip OF timber, and was met by
a counter current of wind from the
west, which did no serious damage ex-
cept to fences in its course.
These currents met on Fourth street,
below Main, with force which is des-
cribed to have rcsembled the crash OF
timber or Tapping Of sails, and in the
space of few seconds the air was filled
to overlooking with debris of a hun
dred dwellings, public buildings and
business house. Some of the wreck
was carried distance of mile. The
principal force of the cyclone was spent
on the line OF Fourth street, running
northeast to the woods west of the riv-
or, where the wind was again raised
from the earth. The devastation be-
vond is not known because Of the alb
sorbing interest in the disaster at this
point.
Half square above Main street, on
Fourth, the furious eddying Of the storm
carried the Methodist Church stecple in
the contrary direction, landing it 800
feet away, in front of saloon. The
bell was dropped in the middle Of the
street, near by. The fury Of the storm
was spent in the business portion of the
town. In some cases buildings were
only unroofcd, but the demolition of
other houses was complete. The Pres
byterian Church is RACED to the ground.
The loss of property by the storm and
fire is estimated at half a million dol
lars, but interest in that is absorbed in
concern for the dead and missing. The
velocity of the tornado is estimated at
! 100 miles an hour.