Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-06-28
The I.xtcnt OF the Caiamity-An Ap-
peal for Aid.

ThS rollo wing appeal for aid has been issued
- To he Public After two days and nights
spent III trav.rslng the track OF ths tornado
that swept over this State with such fearful
havoc last Saturday night, and having reports
from scores OF the reporters OF the Des MONIES
Register and Associated Press sent TO all parts
OF IT, | fiud the condition OF the stricken people
no plteous aud so needful OF instant and gener-
GUS help that send this appeal tC the people OF
the United States in their behalf. The tornado
made a swath Of destruction through
the thickly-sct,led portion Of Iowa some
l5) miles in length, and an average
of half mile IN width, extending
from point south Of Ames, in the center Of
the State, and swept in the shape OF crescent
Southeastern part OF the State We have tho
names now OF sixty nine dead and 500 wound
ed, half OF the latter previously hurt, and prob
ably fifth of them fatally. Over 800 families
have had their homes totally destroyed, and
there are now ct least !. 500 homeless and in
want The loss in property will exceed $4,000
600 and may reach S3, 3,000.000 In the town Of
destroyed, on none Of which there was cent
OF insurance, as in the case Of fires. 1t will
take at least $780, 900 to put the people there
beyond need and distress. II will take &100,-
900 at once to put the wounded people in con-
dition 10 be cared for. 1t will take $1,000. 600
at the lowest to keep the sufferers from want
and to help them to put the humblest Of roofs
over their heads.
The people of Des Moines and Of Iowa are re-
spending generously. The citizens Of this city
have subscribed IS, 600 this morning, and will
make II $4,000 before night, in money.
and are also sending provisions and
clothing beside. But It will take the help OF
every humane city and town in the West and
every liberal city and town in the East to put
comfort ard safety between these stricken peo-
pie and further suffering and fatality.
Griunell il town OF New England
people, thrifty, intelligent people, and
with the lowest rate Of crime and litter
scy in the State and the highest rate OF
intelligence and morality. The rich towns
daughters OF Now England in tho distress and
need OF the utter calamity visited upon
them 80 cruelty by this Moioch OF the air, which
has killed fifty OF their people, destroyed $50
OF its homes, manned and mutllated 200 more
OF il, people, many OF whom will soon die, and
oil OF whom must be cared for for months, and
wiped out totally nearly s5o0,0O0 in uninsured
property
iowa College has had all its buildings de-
stroycd. its 400 students made homeless, aud
has suffered q loss OF s7o,0UO IN uninsured
property.
The condition OF other towns and farming
communities is fully as pitiable and helpless.
All that the people OF Iowa can do will be done
to alleviate the condition and repair in part the
losses OF the sufferers Bat IL will take 81. .000.
600 to do it, even to halfway comfort and
recompensc them and the people OF the State,
who have ALWAYS borne their share and dono
their part In all national calamIties, may fifty
ask the people OF other communities to help
them in this hour OF great calamity to many Of
the worthiest OF its people, ani 10 this end ask
nv fellows OF the press through tho United
States 10 place these facts before their readers,
and to give their timely help to its sufficient
purpose Of raising and providing aid at the
esrlies. moment possible.
The fury and power OF this utter calamity
were az indescribable In their mightiness OF
strength as their havoc and power we're cruel
aud complete. Many people have left OF their
houses not splinter as large as finger, not q
shred OF furniture as largo as skein OF silk,
and hundreds have no clothing left except tho
night clothes they had on. Cases OF excep-
tional horror add exceptional patho, to the
piteous whole Women in pregnancy were
Killed outright, others forced 10 premature de-
Killed and left MANNED and wounded them
selves. Every condition exists chat most
tenderly appeals 10 the pity OF tho
human heart. Tho wounds inflicted by the
debris that filled the air like chaos, blythe eiee'
tric balls OF fire that seemed to traverse every
inch OF space and that exploded with fearfully-
fatal effect, will, many OF them, defy oil skill
and nursing even with the tenderest care.
The fury OF the storm, which was clearly Of
electric origin, and which, indeed, may DO
described as having been electricity itself, pre-
cipitaied In chaos, may be understood from