Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-05-21
Severe Cyclones in Wisconsin
and Illinois.
Partial Destruction Of the City
Of Racine.
Over Sixty Persons Killed and
Large Number Injured.
The Scene Painful Beyond De-
scription.
RACINE Wis Nav 70

RACINE, Wis, May 10.
The first cyclone in the history OF the
town struck Racine at o'clock last night,
passing through the extreme northern portion
Of the city demolishing 80 houses and barns,
causing the death of about 10 persons besides
100 more or less seriously injured. The day
was ushered in bright with wind from the
southwest Towards noon the sky was over
cast and about 4 o'clock a sharp electric
storm prevailed. though but little rain fell
The sun came ont for about an hour. Dur
ing the afternoon the Temperature about
20. About 6, heavy masses of clouds gath
cred in the west and portended storm. The
air was oppressively warm.
The cycione was announced by the break
ing of the clouds, which took on whlrling
motion and struck the earth with a noise
which might he compared to the roar of
thousand railroad trains laundering over
bridge The path of the storm was little
over half mile long and perhaps a quarter
Of a mile wide In this territory here and
there a building is left standing. Brick and
frame buildings alike collapsed, and their
sites are marked only by heaps of debris.
Many occupants of the houses escaped by
seeking refuge in the cellars and other
p aces of comparative safety, but the cyclone
many were killed before reaching their eel
lars. In only few cases were houses moved
from their foundations. Those in the centre
of the storm simply exploded and fell in
ruins. Some nearer the circumference were
turned around and it is reported that some
light articles, such as wagons, were swept
into the lake. The cyclone, as it moved
from the city out upon the wateH of Lake
Michigan, present a grand spectacle. All
the physicians of the city responded to the
call for assistance. The wounded were con
veved to st. Luke's and St. Mary's hospitals,
where they received the best OF care. The
dead were taken, some to the houses OF
friends and some 10 the court house. An in
quest will be held today.
The financial loss by the storm will not ex-
ceed $50 900 The buildings DESTROYED were
principally frame structures and the ndivid-
ual losses range from $500 to 81 900. In addi-
ton to the casualties already reported the
following may be added: Andrew Fox
burned in the ruins of his house together
with a small child; J. Zuckfet, wife and two
children were carried with their house 30 feet
The children escaped but Zuckfelt and his
wife were badly injured.
The scene along the course of the cyclone
is pitiful and heartrending News of the dis
aster was not generally known until this
morning. the threatening weather keeping
most of the people in their homes The few
of those who witnessed the phenomenon COM
pretended its terrible significance. The
scene of the dead, wounded and dying among
the ruins was one painful beyond description
In many instances surviving relatives had
lost all smblance of reason and physicians
were not numerous enough to give PROMPT
assistance. Numerous victims were rolled
in blanEptS uh hiln relatives N
every direction to secure medical aid There
seems to be disagreement as to the number
of killed, which has been variously given
from 10 to 30 Mayor Irish says l3 dead are
reported. Willie and James keisner. infant
children of James Keisner, Paul kahl, Bar
ney Willings and the daughter of Mrs. \
Jackson are fatally injured. Two girls, un-
known and three or four persons are missing
and it is asserted that some were blown into
the lake where the Cyclone ended, and OF
course any such will not be found till they
rise to the surface. Those fatally or seriously
wounded are Andrew Fox. wife and two
children, Mrs. keisner, Bernard keiser, Mrs.
Joseph Kastanake, Katie Socha, Gustav keis-
mes and wife. Mrs. Miller and three children,
Mrs Mary Long. daughter and grandson,
Mrs. Mary McCsrty, Mrs. Thomas Long, Sr :,
Herbert and Albert Kuhl, Mrs. Kuertz and
John Riezleman.
JACKSONVILLE, Ills. May 10.
Morgan county experienced, last evening.
the most disastrous wind storm known in Its
history. In the city there was considerable
wind and rain, but no destruction of life or
properly. On Greasy prairie, IL miles south
of here, the farm houses of Porter Story
Alexander Gum, VIM. Brakeman, Thomas
Kenser and Jesse Darlington were destroyed
and one man, hoy and two children were
killed, and others were injured. Southeast
OF the city, along the line of the jacksonville
Southeastern Railroad, much damage is re-
ported.
Near Franklin the storm was fearfully des-
tructive. At Pisgah the house, barn and
orchard of James Oxley were swept away
and his wife and children were seriously in
iured. At Wooilswn where there was a
severe tornado with fatal casulties three
years ago, the railroad depot was destroyed
| and cars were blown from the track into
atoms, the track being partially torn up
The worst of the cyclone, however, was some
nine miles north of here. on the Peoria
branch of the Wabash Railroad, the storm
cloud was in the shape of a column and
struck the south part of the town and trav-
| elled northeast. completely across the busi-
| ness and residence portion of the place, lev
elling four stores, two churches. the depot, a
{
| injuring others and destroying much prop
erty. At Mrs. Grtiin's house her three sons
| and one daughter were injured and another
| daughter, aged -, killed She herself is in
| a dangerous condition from the shock TO her
| whole system. Another ruined dwelling was
| that of her son, DIR. S. Griffin. who with his
wife is at the city hospital here. and both are
probably injured internally. His seven
mouths old daughter was killed. Another of
| the wounded is Mr.. Hutchinson. the village
| blacksmith, who was at Mrs. Griffins house
| James Stevensons house was destroyed. He
had leg broken and his wife was killed
Mr.. and Mrs. John Trotter, an aged couple.
| lost their lives in their wrecked home. This
| makes the number killed here five.
| There were Is persons injured. Nine of
| the injured were brought to this city this
| morning. Another wounded man was brought
| in from Woodlawn, where he was badly cut
by falling timbers. Farther to the southe ast,
| along the track of the storm, scattering farm
| houses and barns were levelled to ground.
| The storm extended as far soufh "a it.b