The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-04-20
DEATH BEARING WINDS.
DEsTRvcrWEoYcLoNElN MISSOURI
APro.p.rOu. rOun ps.troy.d-nAny Killed Aud
8ur $50 Wouaasd - Graphic DsssEIp'
tlOR Of the FrIghtfal scene Of
Death and Destruction.

KANSAS Cry, April l0-A most destruc
tive tornado swept over Saline and Henry
counties, Western Missouri, about 1 o'clocl
last evening. 1t was the most destructive
storm in this section since the cyclone tha
destroyed the city Of Richmond, in the
adjoining county Of Ray, on June |, 1873
Brownsville, now reported destroyed, wal
u prosperous town OF several thousand
population, and a noted summer resort
Great excitement prevails here as it is
feared that many lives have beenf destroy.
cd in the rural districts trayersed by the
storm.
CHICAGO, April l0.-The following par.
ticulars OF the disaster were received this
morning:
The storm struck the town at 4 o'clock
in the afternoon, and two minutes after.
ward most fearful scene OF death and de.
struCtion was visible on every side. Large
two.story brick business houses were lifted
from their foundations and the ruins scat
tered in chaotic confusion in all directions.
Frame dwellings were overturned and
crushedinto splinters, while large trees were
uprooted and carried long distances by the
force OF the storm. Hogs and other ami.
mails were picked up into the air, carried
various distances and dropped tifetess along
the truck Of the storm.
The first intimation the people had OF the
terrible disaster impending was the appear.
ance OF low, hanging cloud, blush, fun.
mel shaped, rising in the southwest, which
seemed to be whiriing and rolling In all
directions, assuming every conceivable
form and travelling ut most fearful rate
oil speed directly toward town. The peo.
pie became intensely excited and many
sought safety in cellars, but the storm
came with such velocity that no time was
given the masses to secure places OF safety.
Just before the funnel struck the town
loud, roaring noise WAS heard, which
was followed by several loud, electrical ex.
ptosions ut the southwestern limits OF the
town. The funnel seemed to strik. the
ground and rebound few feet into the air:
then it kept in close proximity to tho earth
during its entire passage through the town,
1t seemed to move in q rapid rotary man
ner, and everything it came in contact with
was drawn up into its mouth, only to be
dropped again a few seconds later, twisted
and crushed out Of all shape.
Fifteen brick and two frame houses, be-
tween fifteen and twenty dwellings, the
Missouri Pacific depot, and the telegraph
Office were entirely destroyed, while numer-
Gus other buildings were badly damaged.
Seven passengers were killed: P. Scruggs,
u prominent farmer, G. Mayors, leading
dry goods merchant, Arthur and Williams,
two travelling men, residence unknown,
J. i. Bayne, u Baptist minister, James Mil.
Ter, a well known young man.
City Marshal White Perry and John
Wilson, father and son, were fatally iniur-
ed. The names OF those wounded are not
obtainable. All except City Marshal White
were killed by falling buildings. He was
upon the street and was the most mutilated
and disfgured OF the unfortunate ones. 1t
is supposed that he vas drawn into the
funnel among the flying timbers, which
occasioned the mutiIatIon.
The ground over which the storm passed
was moved smooth and everything the
cyclone came in contact with was charrcd
and blaCkened md covered with blush,
sticky mud. Large deposits OF sand and
gravel were also scattered all along the
path. The storms track was in the neigh
bOrhood Of 200 yards wide aud zigzagged
upon both sides, 1t swept through to the
center OF the town, from southwest to
northeast. After leaving the city
limits the cloud raised higher in
the air and continued on n
northeasterIy direction. Deafening roars
accompanied the storm, which could be
heard for sometime after it had passed.
The cloud was seen to pass over this city
about $50 o'clock and great deal Of un.
easiness was felt by everybody. 1t struck
iii the neighborEiood Of Marshall, Saline
county, but no material damage has been
reported. The telegraph lines are all down,
east and south Of Brownsville, and only
one railroad wire is working west, 50 that
it is impossible to get full details.