Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-08-24
TIRE slsHE.orA CYCLONE.
Terrible De.truc,iou If Life and Prop.
erty.
MIxsE.pouIs. Aug. %.

MtNSkAfOtle, aug -.
That portion of Rochester, Minn.. north OF
the railroad called Lower Town." suffered
most from the cyclone. There is not house
there that is not injured, and only about
twenty that is left standing.
1t looks a, a distance though there had
never been building standing in that por-
ton. while in other sections the remains OF
houses show the terribly destructive force of
the wind. As soon as the cyclone had passed
and the people in more fortunate portions of
the city began to learn of the damage, they
went at once to the lower town TO render
what assistance they could.
Many worked all night the dead and
wounded taken from the debris were con-
veyed to the hotel and private residences.
All knew that the destruction had been fear
full, but no idea of its extent could be OBJ
tanned until the next morning, when its hor-
rors were appalling to behold. Commencing
at J. X. Cooks house on the St Paul road,
which was entirely demolished, the cyclone
next took in the Leland residence, barn and
outbuildings, not leaving stick standing
Then it swept though the lower town. From
the appearance of the ground it seemed as
though terrible food had swept over this
section. In many places where there had
been residences, scarcely a board is left on
the premises. The grass is filled with dirt
and sand as if muddy stream had poured
over it. Early Wednesday, an organized
movement was made to care for the wounded,
and appeals were issued to large cities for
aid which have been answered with Hberality.
Two hundred and fifty houses were wrecked
and two hundred damaged.
The cyclone started near Owattana and
followed line nearly mile south of the
railroad crossing at Rochester and gong
north of the road, passing east twenty-five
miles.
Three miles north of the road it varied in
width from one to three miles, and did not
skip as is usual, but swept everything clear
in its track. Houses. barns and crops are all
gone so far as heard from. About six per-
sons were killed outside of Rochester The
loss to the crops is estimated at about $780,
900.
North of Viola the cyclone swept away
the crops aid buildings clean in its path
along the railroad. The people saw the
clouds leaping and rolling over and over and
sought places of safety.
Three women, wives of Norwegian farmers
were killed and number of other people
badly injured Brick houses were destroyed
and good many head of live stock killed.
The loss in this place alone will amount to
manv thousand dollars.
are in ruins. Twentyfour persons killed.
The dead are not all identified. The storm
swept through Dodge and Olmstead counties
causing greater destruction than the cyclone
of a month ago. The damage in Rochester
is fully $50, 900. The court house, high school
building, academy and elevators at the depots,
the Touring mills, ten business blocks, be-
sides great many dwellings were unrocfed.
The Methodist church is ruined, and the
Congregational church is much injured. More
than POO dwellings are utterly destroyed De-
tails of losses in the couhtry cannot be given
at present, but they are very great. The
cyclone was heard of south of Dodge Centre.
thence east to Olmstead county, striking
Salem township. Three farm buildings were
destroyed. one child killed. and several fami-
lies more or less injured. Much damage W As
done to farm property and live stock.
The storm then entered Rochester taking
it course through the city. Three hundred
houses are destroyed and fully POO more dam
aged. The Congregational church, where
80 children had just returned from picnic,
had its spire blown off, but none of the child
rem were hurt. The number killed is as pre-
viously reported. Others unknown have
been taken care of by friends.
Helen Dodge, of Ashland, Beck county,
was taken up by the storm while in field
and has not since been heard from. A man
named Olsen, his wife and daughter of Can
isteo, Dodge county, were killed. Mr..
Berg was killed on his farm. A young lady
visiting family named Van Franche was
fatally injured.
At the town of St. Charles the storm struck
Job Thorton's farm, killing him and destroy
ing his farm. All the members of his family
were injured.
The farm property was much damaged in
Utica and the southeastern part of Wabash
counties.