Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-07-18
Sweeps through Jefer-
son County.
a Large Portion Of Fort
Atkinson Leve1ed to
the Ground.
Great Destruction of PrOpeYtu

occurred within the borders of Jefferson
county on that day. The first storm
broke upon us here at about o'clock in
the morning moving from the west. The
rain was not heavy and the wind made
only slight disturbance but there were
vivid lightning flashes and loud thunder
peals. Again at half past o'clock
the elements became disturbed and a
furious wind swept across the city from
the southwest the rain pouring down in
torrents and some very large-sized hail
stones falling, accompanied by sharp
thunder claps. But once more the storm
clouds passed over and we had intervals
OF sunshine leaving nothing portentous
or threatening in the outlook for the bal
ance of the day and little dreaming what
was in store for a neighboriDg town;
another illustration of the uncertainty
of this remarkable season and the utter
impossibility of drawing any deductions
as to meteorological conditions based up
on what have always been considered
we'll established weather theories.
Shortly before o'clock thick, black clouds
began to move from the south and soon o
heavy rain and hailstorm set in with
the usual seasons accompaniment Of
wind, thunder and lightning. Half an
hour later the city of Fort Atkinson was
struck with fearful tornado which struck
the north side of the town, Just west of
of the shops of the Northwestern Manu-.
featuring Company, tearing a path of
destruction on the west side and Ieveling
shops, dwellings, barns trees and out
buildings. Will Whiting, who lives on
the Madison road west of the city, states
that he saw the black funnel terror NOV
ing up from the southwest, its course in
the air marked by vast mass of trees,
limbs and debris. 1t seemed then to be
moving high in the air, until it cam near
the shops Northwestern Manufacturing
Company, when it suddenly descended to
the ground, and, in an instant, where
before was busy hive of industry, lay
almost a mass of ruins. The roof of the
warehouse of the Northwestern Company
was taken off as with a knife and great
damage done to the stock and machinery
in the various buildings. The loss to the
Northwestern Company is placed at $40
900 and it will be some time before they
can resume business. The force of the
wind devasted the lumber yard and churn
factory.of Cornish & Curtis involving a
loss to them Of some $4,000. This firm
had only few days before placed $4,000
tornado policy on their buildings and
property, but the policy being scattered
on different buildings, some of which
were not touched by the cyclone, they
will not be able to realize the full amount
for the damages they sustained. There
was terrible havoc among dwellings and
it would be hard to estimate the am cunt
OF damage to this class of property.
Among the residences in jured was that of
Hon. L. B. Caswell, one of the finest and
most extensively built houses in the
county. 1t was entirely stripped of it
tin roofin, the chimneys blown off and
in places the roof crushed in like an egg.
The work of devastation on the beautiful
grounds is almost painful to witness,
with fine, stately trees uprooted and
plants and shrubbery strewn. in every
direction, true picture of desolation.
The residence of Ed Rankin was part
ly unroofed and considerably damaged.
The steeple Of the Universalist Church
was blown off,
The house of D. Bullock lies almost
buried in fallen trees, and his barn is
moved several feet from its foundation
and partly torn in pieces.
In the neighborhood of Mrs. Sargeant's
house the destruction of the shade trees is
great, the street being filled with them.
The residence of Thomas Spry was
partly unroofed and a shed blown to
pieces. In one place a roof-board with
shingles attached had been driven several
feet into the house and through the side
like an arrow.
The large North Side Schoolhouse was
unroofed and severely damaged.
The barn of Mr.. Waugh opposite was
torn completely to kindling wood. In
side was horse traced up in sling, and
yet the animal was found capering around
the street uninjured.
Mr.. and Mrs, J. Houobush were in
f their dwelling with their two children
when the cyclone struck it carrying it a
scattered ruin into the bottom beyond.
Mrs. Hollobush was blown over twenty
five rods amid the falling timbers and
boards, and was picked up in the field
quite badly injured about the back. His