The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-06-25
WILD WINDS!
A FURIOUS STORM
SWGGpsOVer RaVGnna
Causing Great Destruction
Of Property!

The severest wind storm ever wit
messed in this part of the State, struck
this town on Sunday evening last at
about 7.45 o'clock. Rain had fallen
more or less since O'Clock p. M, but
nothing in the atmosphere to indicate
a tornado was noticed by anyone till
after o'clock. About half past Z, two
diverse currents of winds were observ-
ed, one approaching from the south
east and the other from the southwest.
AT about quarter to these opposing
atmospheric forces met, aud then oc-
Cured the phenomena above alluded
to. A kissing, ominOus sound was
noticed, and then sudden darkening
of the heavens, lit only by stream OF
white electric air, that whirled, and
roared, taking every movable object in
its wake. The point at which the
conclusion took place is somewhat in
doubt, but the effect produced leads to
the conclusion that it occurred about
over the Union School building on
Chestnut street. Unroofing this fine
structure, it itproceeded to perform like
operation upon the fine residences of
Messrs. A. A. Graham and VIM. HOl-
comb. A driving rain accompanying
the destructive wind, made the fami-
lies and neighbOrs of the above named
gentlemen busy the balance of the
night fighting water and endeavoring
to preserve their carprts and furniture
from ruin. The stable of w. B. Taylor
was literally obliterated, few odd
pieces of debris only now marks its
ancient site. By this time the great
flag staff upon the Public Square was
bending and creaking under the extra
ordinary pressure, finally snapped in
two. the gilt ball at its summit taking
flight for parts beyond, and whether it
has been recovered is not at present
known to the editor. The EtnaHouse
Block came in for considerable atten-
ton from our aerial visitor, its ten
large chimneys being leveled in a
jiffy, and the heavy slate roof being
displaced, distributing brick, plaster
&C., through the hotel and surround
ings promiscuously, someof the finely
furnished rooms being substantially
ruined. Marvin's Block. at the cor
ner of Meridian street, was completely
unroofed, the family of J.. 8. Smith,
who roomed in the building, fortunate
ly escaping bodily harm; report says,
however, that they hadn'ta dry rag"
to put on. They suffered considerable
loss on account of the rain pouring in
upon their carpets, furniture, &c. The
brick building owned by III. Y. Beebe,
and occupied by D. M. Clewell, was
also unroofed. Mr.. J. II. Andrews
who occupied rooms in the second
story, sustained considerable loss
through the despoilation of ceiling
decorations, brio a-brac, &c. The roof
of the First National Bank building
was damaged somewhat, and the win
dows of the Bank itself were demol-
ished. The chimneys of the Empire
block, at the corner of Main and Chest
at the Etna House, one of them paying
an unceremonious call upen L. II.
Phelps, in his law office, coming down
through the ceiling to save time, and
ness (the chimney now lies PROSTATE
aud scattered in the office aforesaid.
The Second National Bank building.
three story brick, was brown out of
plumb and the roof partially destroyed
The elegant Masonic Hall was flooded
and the destruction reached clear to
| the plaster. The fine fresco is ruined.
| 1t will take at least one thousand dol
lars to make the Mason's whole. The
old 4" Days Hail." now owned by DR..
Reed, and now occupied by the Saliva
ton Army, was also unroofed. The
roof covering the store of Geo. E. Fair
child & Brother, was partially de.
strOyed. The roof of Beckley's store
was also badly damaged. The beauti-
full Opera House had to take its punish
ment with the rest. Its dome was
carried to the next block. A portion
of it's roof was badly damaged, the rain
pouring in destroyed at least half the
fine painting upon it's ceiling, and
causing other serious damage. The
whirlwind then skipped across to
Merits & Riddles Repository, complete
ly overlooking the Roller Rink, (heav-
en- be praised). unroofing the reposito.
ry and causing other damage to the
amount of at least thousand dollars.
The residence of N. d. Clark was so
obscured by tin roofing, &C., blown
into the yard from other buildings,
that a casual observer would have
thought the house itself destroyed.
Durham's Block was also dispossessed
of its covering, the family of Mr.. Fay
cite Doty, who live in the upper por-
ton, suffering some inconvenience.
The family of Moses Parsons also ex-
perienced some loss, beside being near.
ly scared to death(?) The old Exchange
building was mercifully spared US, very
little damage seems to have been sus-
tanned by that fire proof structure.
Gretzinger's block was somewhat in
jured. 1he residence of John O'Neil,
on South Sycamore street, was lifted
bodily from its foundation and tipped
to an angle of 45 degrees. Great trees
were uprooted in every direction, and
were found lying across the streets, to
the great grief of pedestrians and
drivers. The Court House Park, upon
which so much time and taste has
been expended, is now sadly despoiled
large number of its trees and the best
of its foliage being ruined. 1t will,
take many years to restore its original
beauty. We are inclined to the belief
that the loss of so many fine trees i.
the greatest that the community hal
sustained, for damage to buildings o
contents may be soon restored, but th'