The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-05-24
WILD WINDS,
Property Destroyed and Many
Lives S,nsf.

Lives Lost.
CHICAGO, May lo.-It is learned
here that a cyclone passed north of
Racine, Wis, about $50 yesterday
evening, and that q number Of build
ings were destroyed. No particulars
were obtainable, as the telegraph wires
went down st that hour, and all conn
muuicatiOn northward and between
this city and Milwaukee and st. Paul
is cut off. At ten O'Clock last nj sht an
unusually severe wind and rain storm
accompanied by thunder and light
ming prevailed here. Signs were
whisked off and a general clatter pre-
vailed about the streets. Fears were
entertained that some fraii wooden
structures in the outskirts would be
blown down and the shipping outside
he driven across to the east shore OF
Lake Michigan.
A dispatch from Racine says that the
first cyclone in ths history of this sec
ton struck Racine at seven o'clock
last night, passing through the ex-
treme northwestern portion of the
city, demolishing one hundred and
fifty houses and barns, and causing a
loss of life of about twenty. 1t is be-
lieved one hundred are more or less
injured. The day ushered in bright
and cool, with fresh wind blowing
from the southeast; at noon the sky
was overcast, and about four O'clock a
sharp and electric storm prevailed, al
though little rain fell. The sun again
came out for about an hour. During
the afternoon the temperature rose
about twenty degrees; about six o'clock
when heavy masses OF clouds which
~ In hnrpd iY1 fho nnf od
storm, the air was Oppressively warm
The cyclone was announced by q
breaking of the clouds, which took on
whirling motion and struck the
earth with noise which might be
com pared with the roar and rumbling
of thousand railroad trains thunder
ing over a bridge. The path OF the
STORM is little over half mile long
and perhaps quarter of mile wide.
In this territory here and there build
ing is left standing. Brick and frame
structures alike collapsed, and their
sites are marked only by heaps OF
formless debris. Many occupants OF
the houses escaped by seeking cellars
and other places of comparative safety,
but the cyclone came with such light
ming quickness that many were killed
before reaching the cellars. In only q
few cases were the houses moved from
their foundations. Those in the center
of the storm simply exploded and fell
in ruins where they had stood. Some
nearer the circumference were turned
around, and it is expected some light
articles, such as wagons, were swept
into the lake. The cyclone, as ii
moved from the city cut on the waters
of lake Michigan, presented grand
spectacle, such as is seen once In a life
time. The Whirling columns of all
seemed monster wreaths of smoke rs
! they whirled over the watery eXpanse,
bearing with them spiral columns OF
water, the spouts of the mariner. Nc
ship that encountered this monster Ol
the air could by any possibility escape
destruction. All the physicians of the
city responded nobly to the call for
assistance and did what they could to
alleviate the sufferings of the wounded,
who were at once conveyed TO ST.
Luke's and St. Mary's Hospitals,
where they VIII receive the best OF
care. The dead were taken, some to
the houses of friends and some to the
court house. The inquest will be held
today by Coroner Komas.
GALVESTON, May l8.-A News Den
4 y
clone struck the west side of this city
about ten O'Clock. A small house, Oc-
cupied by the family of James Burch
was blown to atoms and Mrs. Burch
and a child were seriously injured.
The Baptist church was entirely de-
molished and the brick residences of
Andrews and McMurtry were blown
down. Mrs. McMurtry and her moth
er were buried in the debris, but it is
thought they are not fatally injured.
The coIored school was torn from its
foundation and badly wrecked. Many
houses were similarly moved. Fences
and shade trees suffered. The cyclone
lasted only minute but the rain fell
in torrents.
OMAHA, Neb., May 18.-A cyclone
swept through the eastern portion of
this state last evening. wrecking sew
eral houses and two school houses at
Valparaiso and fatally iniuring wo-
man and two children. The wires are
down and details are unobtainable.
The cyclone touched the south west
portion OF Omaha doing slight damage
to several houses but injuring no one.