The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-06-05
TERRIBLE CYCLONE
SEVERAL LIVES LOST AND GREAT DES.
TRUCTION OF PROPERTY.

TRUCTION OF PROPERTY.
The past week will long be remem
bored tor the violent and disastrous
storms which swept over Northern
Kansas and Western Missouri. The
warm weather which had prevailed for
several days was the precursor of {
terrible cyclone, which was to crust
life from friends, destroy some Of the
finest property in the State, and maj
the beautiful landscape which has been
the pride of boasting Kansans.
On Friday afternoon last, all along
the Northern sky, from east to west
hung dark, ominous clouds, gradually
crowding themselves to the south
against q strong wind, and many anx
iously watched their course, fearing a
repetition of the storm which visited
Saline county on the 9TH of June, 1876.
But in this county We were visited only
with an ordinary hail and rain storm,
from very dense black clouds. On Sat
urday word came from BrookvilIe that
q cyclone had been seen moving north
from that place, and that great damage
had resulted from it. The reports were
brought in on Sunday placing the num-
Der OF lives lost at eighteen, and start
ling rumors were circulated of death and
destruction everywhere.
On Monday morning Messrs. Titus,
Goodnow, E. C. Culp and representa-
tive of the JOURNAL started for the To-
calities visited by the storm. The party
proceeded directly TO Minneapolis, where
definite information was obtained of the
track and course of the storm, through
Ottawa county and visiting the ground
and following its course for many miles,
saw the terrible effects of the furious,
irresistible columns which had swept
over the fair valley of the Solomon a
few days previous.
About four o'clock, Friday afternoon,
. huge column, resembling IN form an
elephants trunk, seemed to reach down
from tho clouds about four miles west of
BrookviIIe, near J. W. B1yle's, at the
head of Mulberry, in Ellsworth county,
and with roaring, Kissing noise moved
northward.
The first house in its course was that
of Mr.. d. G. Rose, which 1t damaged
considerably. 1t then passed on over
the houses of Messrs. Slower, Hall and
Green, damaging the two first mentioned
and tearing down the last, stone
house. Mr.. Green and family were in
the house 1t the time, and himself and
wife were badly cut about their heads
by the falling stone.
Crossing the county line tho storm
FIRST struck Mr.. Ailbright's house, in
Lincoln county, and tore tho building
into kindiing wood. Ii caaght Mr..
John Smith, on his way home, broke
bis wagon into pieces, aud fractured has
arm and shoulder blade.
In passing north, the houses OF
Messrs. Moore, Valentine, Tom McCane,
aaron Parker, Jas. Hartman, Myers
aud LaBar were struck IN rapid success
sion, and either badly damaged or en-
tireIy torn to pieces. A child of Mr.. !
Myers was killed and Mrs Myers was
seriously injured. At John LaBar's
the storm was furious. Thu houses of
Mr.. LaBar ADD his father, standing side |
by side, were torn to pieces. His wife |
bad her arm broken, and his stock was
killed bis threshing machine, harves-
tor, and other farm machinery were |
broken to pieces and scattered in every |
direction upon tho prairie.
At the junction OF Twelve Mile creek
and the Saline river was collected 49,
900 feet OF lumber and all tie macbln.
ery for a saw mill. The center OF the |
storm passing through there scattered
lumber aud machinery for miles north |
of that point.
Whore it crossed the Saline river,
trees were stripped Of leaves and limbs.
1t passed across Yolney Balls farm, and
an unconfrmed report has 1t that Rod
Wilmarth's house was destroyed.
In Ottawa county the column struck
tho house Of Mr.. Disney, and two of
the family were very seriously injured,
and seven others more or less hurt.
After destroying Disney's property
the cloud seemed to raise INTO the air,
and for distance Of about eight miles
no damage was done.
A0Otn0r column IOrmeu u suoEt us
lance south of MIR. Rathgiber's, about
five miles northwest of Minneapolis,
Ottawa county, unroofng his house and
other property. The column
moved northeasterly, striking and level
ing Mrs. Clark's house and barns, and
Mr.. Reynolds house.
The next house struck by the storm
Was that of Mr.. Henry Mcbride, which
seemed to be in the center of its track.
The house, out buildings and farm ma
were carried into the air, and
Mrs. Mcbride and her father Mr.. John
Murphy, of Lake county, Iils.,) were
severely injured. Mr.. Murphy lived
until Monday afternoon, when he died.
rs.lNcBride is suffering from bruises
on Der face and bad flesh wound on
one of her hips, but is considered out ,
Of danger. Mr.. Murphy had So, 700 cash {
IN cloth bsg, in his trunk. The trunk {
was torn to atoms, the bag ripped open,
and the money scattered on the prairie.
A bout $1,000 was recovered. 1,
Crossing the river at McBrido's, two 1
log houses belonging TO James Mcbride /,
and Henry Gable were unroofed, ma .
broken, end horse belonging {
10 the latter was killed. /,
From Cables the storm had sweep |
up tho Solomon river aoou, three-quar {