Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-09-14
THE CYCLONES RAVACES.
sUNDIT AMOSG THE RUINS or
WAsHfSGrON q. ~.

OF The air that so lately visited this little city
with such direiul results, train after train.
loaded to the guards with human freight, are
constantly dischargipg them in the y,ry
midst OF the ruins. Country people and those
from neighboring towns in vehicles, like long
funeral trains, crowd all the roads leading
hi,herward. 1t is yet early in the day. but
already the streets are filled with people con-
stantly going to and fro, wandering aimle.sl
about eager for anything upon which their
inordinate curiosity may feed.
Very little toward substantial rebuilding
has yet been done, save some necessary re.
moval Of debris and rubbish from the main
streets, and to those who have read the many
conflicting reports of this cyclone disaster the
scene as presented today is one OF general
surprise Surely very few people who have
not visited Washington can form any correct
idea OF the devastation and utter RUN which
shocks aud saddens the beholder Ou every
hand expressions were heard indicating the
fact that the most vivid description has failed
utterly to prepare the visitor for the worst.
While the extent Of damages mus, by far
overreach that OF jamestown, which occurred
in April OF 81, there are no strkipgly new
phases Of tie manner or appearance of
the storm, as all descriptions given BY eye
witnesses do not differ materially from that
given by those who witnessed the James
town cyclone.
Today the great mass of people crowd the
various eating houses. improvsed booths and
beer saloons, the latter especially doing
thriving business, Will the former are pushed
TO their furthest resources to furnish supplies
for the extraordinary demand While the
visitors are crowding the streets the wearied
citizens who have been overworked during
the week, are seen quietly sitting in their
houses, patiently waiting for the crowd to
leave the town.
Many OF the country people had provided
themselves with baskets OF lunch, and at
noon time tie lawns Of the wrecked dwell
lngs were filled with groups of people lunch
ing in picnic style. Some took possession of
the timbers among the ruirs. upon which
they spread most tempting arrays Of good,
country eatables.
one party was seen to occupy the gallery
OF ruined church and in tha, bleak and
airy loft presented a strange picture blending
domestic life and happiness with the werd-
ness of desolatlon
On every hand contribution boxes are seen
with placards asking for substantial aid, but
very few people who are here today seem at
all inclined to even take the least thought of
the real calamity so strongly presented by
this vast field of devastation. However, the
people In the neighboring towns are taking
active measures to render aid to the sufferers
and already contributions are coming in.
The question is often asked whether this
hnu f,tl l;tsI .,.lI
from this calamity, and it is as often an
swered that IT will largely depend upon the
aid received from charitable people.
The following graphic description ap-
pears in yesterdays Washington c.
Globe:
The heavens were seething mass of black
and white vspor. The electrical discharges
made broad lines OF shimmering light from
the clouds to the earth. There was little zig
gag lightning. II went in straight lines and
was constant in AZ directions. In the far
west ball Of cloud, somehow it reminded
US Of an immense hornets nest, probably
from the fact that it seemed composed Of
thin, filing smoke-hued masses of vapor. 1t
whired round and round and seemed to gain
In bulk each moment All around the heav-
ems were masses of black cloud. This side of
these clouds were skurrying light-colored
and foamy clouds. These were whrlng
around the zenith with great velocity and
gathering to the ball in the westward As
this ball grew larger 1t had a ghastly hue of
light. About this time came a terrific peal
OF thunder. 1t was followed by screaming
and rattling sound, most horrifying to hear.
NOTES.
The crowds of visitors will leave money in
the cyclone village.
The handless, dialless clock in the cour,
house stseple is running still.
Circleville and intermediate points sent
nineteen coaches filed with people.
cyclone damaged goods are extensively
advertised already At cyclone prices.
The steeple of the Catholic church stands
ike monument over grim desolation.
Eight CT ten thousand is a air estimate of
the number OF strangers in the village today.
Imagine the spokes of buggy wrenched
from wheel and no further injury TO the
buggy.
A bsby's rag doll hangs suspended high up
among the branches OF tree on one CT the
streets.
The cemetery grounds were literally COW
cred with dead blackbirds beaten to death
by the. wind.
The citizens view the crowd from upper
story windows, ths, is those who have upper
story windows.
Tall granite tombstones were lifted in the
air and shot point downwards several feet
into the ground.
Small sign-boards stuck up ia heaps of
plaster broken timbers, ETC., tell what once
the ruins were.
When the NJ. Il, church tumbed INTO ruins
the old bell In the tower struck twice as
farewell warning.
The battered banner Of the John N. Bell
post, &. A. r., hangs from a lamr-post, Il
ruined thing OF beauty.
Company b., OF o. n. G sported their uni
forms, carried great muskets and chatted with
the fair girl encursionists.
Beer bars erected 10 ruined houses and
among the debris over which the customers
crowded, did thriving business.
A brick building was scooped from be-
tween two frame structures, and literally
demolished, while they were unscathed.
1t was an immense crowd. An excursion
OF eleven coaches from Kenton and Beliefop-
tame seven from Troy and twenty-five from
Springfield.
Great pieces OF tin roofing hang suspended
on shattered skeletons of the ruined build
ings while otter fragments Uttered the
fields far into the country.
Nothing escapes the voracity OF the relic
hunters. Pieces OF the court house clock dial
are considered most valuable, but pieces of
torn calico dresses are exhibited as valuable
relics.
Fiat justitia ruat coelum, Oct justice be
done though the heavens should faln, is the
motto that adorns the ruined court house.
IT appears that the heavens have fallen about
the ears Of the court house, whatever NAV he