Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-29
A CYCLONE VISITS OHIO.
MANY BUILDINGS DEMOLISHED
AND MANY LIVES LOST.

Two Small Clouds and a Water Spout
the FOrerunner of the ssWind Mon
ster''-No Large Cities in the Path of
the StOrm-Lists of some of the Vic
Tins.
DAYTON, o.. April %, P. M.-Shortly
before O'Clock Yesterday afternoon the
most destructive cyclone ever known in
this part of the country passed over the
southern part of Montgomery and Greene
counties, destroying everything in its
course. 1t appears to have originated
near WOodburn, a small town ten miles
south Of here, and eye-witnesses describe
it as it passed in its fury. An authentic
statement is that the cyclone was formed
by union of two light storm-clouds from
the south and northwest, which i'm
mediately assumed the form of
a water-spout, rising and descending
like mass of sea and destroying everv-
thing in its way. +. Best, of this city.
who was near enough to observe it accu-
rately, says that its path was fully one
eighth of mile wide, the storm moving
over the country like an immense cloud
of smoke, while everywhere in its course
the air was filled with trees and the
ruins of houses. Forests were blown
down like weeds, fences DESTROYED
for miles, and it is estimated that
in this county alone at least
twenty residences are in ruins. to
say nothing of the loss on other buildings,
live stock and farm property. At Alex
andersville, six miles south of here, seve-
raj persons are known to have been in
jured and one lady is reported killed,
while the saw mill, barns and other build
ings were DESTROYED
AT CarrOllton Friends paper mill and
other buildings were badly damaged, and
it is reported that a number of residences
were destroyed. Telegraph lines are down
in all directions and the roads are inn
passable.
Near Woodbun the residence and other
buildings belonging to Edward Wheatly
were destroyed, with other property. Two
farm hands are reported missing. Brick
school house No. 8 was DESTROYED and the
ROOF carried 300 yards. Mr.. Harris house
and barn were destroyed. A child was
caught in the cyclone, carried 200 yards
and dropped to the earth slightly injured
Mr.. MItchelPs house and barn were partly
ruined. Mr.. Ridenan's property was
badly damaged, and Abner Harris barn
and other buildings were DESTROYED.
Inc names OF the other losers cannot be
ascertained. Considering the large num-
Der OF houses destroyed the loss of life
must have been heavy.
In the neighbOrhoOd of Nliamisburg the
damage is heavy.
In this city there was heavy rain, ac-
companied by hail, but there was little
wind. One freak Of the cyclone was that
in Dayton and five miles south of the city
there was rain and hail, while still fur
ther south there was rain and no hail.
sun further south there was hail and no
ram and in some sections of the country
devastated there was neither rain nor
hail.
At BellbroOk. Greene county, at least
hfteen farm houses were more or less
damaged, but the occupants generally
escaped by taking refuge in the cellars.
From Carrollt0n the cyclone took direct
easterly course, and its force was not in
the least spent when it reached James
town, thriving village of 800 inhabi-
tants, which, it is reported, was en-
trely destroyed, only a few buildings
being left standing. Meagre telegraph
reports received here state that six per-
sons are known to have been killed, while
twenty were more or less injured. Among
other residences that of l.. Wickersham
was lifted from its foundations and carried
quite distance. Owing to the country
being sparsely settled, and the bIOckaded
condition of the roads, accurate details
cannot be obtained, but with such de-
struction of property the loss of life must
be terrible.
Near Xenia there was considerable de-
structiOn. The Soldiers and Sailors Or
phans' Home was badly damaged, and
the barn, laundry and other buildings
were destroyed
The hospital and other structures were
unroofed. Miss Harvey, the matron, and
night watchman Richardson. were in
Jured, but none of the children were hurt.
Between Jasper and Cedar Creek, on the
narrow gauge railway, the damage is
great to farm property, and at this point
some trains are unable to move on ac-
count of the wind, while others did not
dare to pass over Cedar Creek trestle dur
ing the cyclone. In all directions, south
and east Of here, the scene of destruction
battles description.
CINCINNATI, April IS, P. MA
jamestown, Greene county, Ohio, special
says a terrible cyclone struck James
town about 5 O'Clock Sunday evening
IWo-thlrds of the town was completely
ruined. Six persons were killed. They
are as follows:
Miss Stella Jones, aged 10, of Esculapia
Springs, Ky.
Mrs. Ann Carpenter.
.Letitia Jenkins, daughter of G. r. Jen-
kins.
Miss Kate Bollter.
Mrs. Stewart, a colOred woman.
A son of James Pauls.
Several persons are badly wounded and
hundreds Of people are turned out of their
homes. No estimate Of the damage is
possible now.
WORSE THAN FIRST REPORTED.
CINCINNATI, April 30, A. Man
Aenla, Ohio, special says: daylight
revealed d worse state of affairs at James,
town than was expected. The tornado
lelt nothing undestrOyed in its course.
The houses not entirely torn to pieces
were twisted and wrenched from their
foundations. Nearly One-third of the town
is In ruins, The damages are estimated
at S14O,OOO. The largest losses are the
Methodist Church $4,000 the fair grounds
$0,OOO, the Christian Church $4,000 A.
l.. Wickersham $4,000, school buildings
$4,000. One hundred and thirty-siX per-
sons in the village lose smaller amounts,
IN most instances their entire
homes, and their contents. The
homeless ones We're cared for
as well as could be in the houses not
touched by the storm. Through the
country about jamestown the damage to
barns, live stock, fences and dwellings is
trlghtful. The force of the wind was
terrific. Furniture, bedding, ETC., were
carried into the tree tops. Many people
were lifted from the ground, and some
were carried a considerable distance. The
place has been visited by crowds. Xenia
and Springfield are taking steps to send
relief to the sufferers.
SPANS RAILROAD MASSACRE.