The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-14
A DESTRUCTIVE CYCLONE.
Loss of Life and Damage to Property
at Kansas City.
Three Persons Killed and Others Mortaily
Injured-Three Hundred Thousand
Dollars Damage to Property
CYCLONE AT KANSAS CITY.
Three Persons Killed and Others Fatally
Hurt-Serions Damage to Properly,

cyclone swept across the southern part OF the
city shortly after5 o. clock this evening, I'M
roofing or demolishing buildings for a dis
lance of two miles, the track of the storm
ranging from half to two blocks in width.
A number of persons were injured and some
fatalities are reported, but the loss of life is
not so great as might be expected in view of
the extent of the destruction OF property.
Nothing definite can be given yet but the
loss of property is estimated in the hundreds
OF thousands.
The day throughout had been stormy from
early morning, and heavy showers fell at in
tervals. accompanied at times by gusty
winds At about 4:30 the clouds, which had
been especially threatening along the west
ern horizon, gathered densely over and a
little west OF Wyandotte; out of them grew a
dark funnel-shaped cloud which started
north across the farming lands west
OF Wyandotte, and, crossing the Missouri
river, passed into the country north
east of the city. About ten minutes
later a second cloud formed near the same
place where the first originated and followed
the course of the Kaw river to the Missouri
miles. where it seems to have disappeared in
the river, throwing huge volumes of water
to great height This cloud did very little
damage, but was followed a few minutes
later by third and terrific one, which laid
waste buildings, trees and fences in its path
across the southern portion of the city. II
seems to have started near the place of the
preceding storm, southwest of the city, and.
touching portion of the suburbs of Arm
strong, with a tendency slightly northward
across the city. At the stockyards the Ex-
change was unroofed and other buildings
damaged or destroyed. Then passing on, it
struck the summit of the bluff which marks
the western line of the city proper, at the
corner of Drifts and Sixteenth streets, NOV
ing southerly, and passed along between Fiji
tenth and Sixteenth streets, veering at
times. until it reached Main street, where its
course changed somewhat toward northeast,
until it reached Olive street, near the eastern
limits, when 1t had travelled as far northward
as Seventh street. Here its advance was
checked. and so far ss known now its force
seems to have been spent at this
point. The entire progress, from the begin
ming of the first to the end of the third
cloud, occupied about half an hour.
At l1:30 o'clock three deaths had been re-
ported, and as many more are not likely to
recover Many persons are more or less in
jured, but. as reported, only few are danger
ously so. The loss of property is now roughly
estimated at 100000 While none of
the finest residences of the
city suffered, yet many houses
OF well-to-do citizens are RACED and cottages
and shanties innumerable torn to pieces.
The escape of those in the path of destruc-
ton is marvellous, and stories of almost mi
raculous delivery are beyond number.
The Englsh-Lutheran church, on the cor
nf naly and rfo GU hrin Oh
building, was completely wrecked, the walls
seeming literally to melt and fall into the
earth. But fifteen minutes before q large
Sunday-school gathered in the building had
been dismissed. Had the scholars been
within the church, the loss of life must have
been fearful.
SOME NARROW ESCAPES.
AT Fifteenth and Campbell streets, Joseph
Ryan, grocer. with his family, was at sup
per in the basement beneath the store when
the wind struck the building blowing away
everything above the ground floor leaving
it as clean as though swept with a broom.
None of the family were hurt.
On the west side, a gentleman sitting at
window of his residence was blown through
window on the opposite side of the room
into the area below, and, though somewhat
hurt, went to the assistance of others.
The damage by the first wind across the
country west of Wyandotte was principally
to fruit farms and this loss is placed at
$4,000.
-Four farm houses were blown down.
David Reed, farmer. was hurt and may not
recover. His wife was blown against a tree
and her neck broken. She died instantly.
2. W. Mathews, with two-year-old child
ia his arms, was blown 800 feet through the
air and dropped unhurt.
Mrs. Smith and five others of the family
were sitting in n small farmhouse building,
which was lifted up and carried over their
heads; none hurt.
VIM. Dudleys house was blown over,
caught fire, and the wreck was consumed.
A large number of families were rendered
temporarily homeless, as many houses are so
damaged as to be considered unsafe until re-
paired. Speedy shelter has been provided
for ALL and Mayor Gibson has issued proc
lamation calling n meeting of citizens to-
morrow for organization OF systematic relief.
Damage in Missouri Towns.
ST.. LOUIS, May 13.-Very meager informa-
ton is received here that cyclone passed
over the lead mining region in Southwest
Missouri, between and 8 o'clock tonight,
doing great damage to the little towns
of Ornogo and Webb City, on the Kan
sas branch of the st. Louis
e. San Francisco railroad 1t is said
both towns are nearly DESTROYED and num-
Der of lives lost, but the telegraph lines are
all down and no particulars can be obtained.