Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-09-09
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ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCHES.
Terrific Cyclones.

CINCINNATI, Sept. 9.-The Commercial
Gazette has Geographic advices from Wash
ington Court House, Ohio, that terrific
cyclone passed over that neighborhood last
night doing great damage to property. A
number of lives were lost. A Bloomingburg
special to the same paper adds that that
town is in ruins. Owing to the condition
of the telegraph wires details cannot be
given. A violent electrical disturbance was
seen to the north from Cincinnati last night,
although the storm here was not very
heavy.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 9.-Most alarming
reports are current here regarding the loss
of life and property in Washington Court
House, where cyclone Quilted tue city last
night. Help was sent early this morning
to the destitute families. At Plain City,
eighteen miles from this city, carriage
factory and mill were demolished and other
bulldogs unroofed. This place is on direct
line north of Washington Court House, and
all along south to the Ohio river the trail of
destruction is reported in like manner.
CLEVELAND, O., Sept. "a Leaders spe-
cial from Springfield says terrible cyclone
struck Washington Court House, city of
1000 inhabitants, twenty. five miles west of
here at s o'clock last evening and almost
literally swept it from the earth. 1t came
from the northwest ard broke upon the
town very suddenly carrying everything be-
fore it. The tornado whrled up Court
street, the main business thoroughfare, and
ruined almost every business block on it, at
least forty or fifty in all. Hardly private
residence in the town escaped, fully 400
buildings going down. The baptist, presby.
terrain, and catholic churches, all suffered
the common fate The Ohio Southern, Pan
Handle, Narrow Gauge and Midland rail-
road depots, were blown into "smithereens,"
and every building in the vicinity was car
ried away, making ingress and egress almost
| impossible. Every wire with a circuit Of
| two miles is down. The reports received OF
the catastrophe are from telegraph opera
tor who tapped wire two miles west OF
the town, and sitting in heavy rain storm
works his instruments. The panic stricken
people were taken completely unawares and
fed from the tumbling buildings in every
direction through the murky darkness. A
mad frenzy seemed to seize them, and they
buried hither and thither in their wild dis
traction, little knowing whittier they were
fleeing. After the whirlwind, which lasted
about 10 minutes, heavy rainfall set in
which continued undated during the night.
AS soon as few of the cooler heads recov-
cred their senses, searching parties were Or
ganized, and the sad work of looking for the
dead began. So far fifteen bodies have been
recovered from the debris of various ruined
buildings, and the dreary work is just be.
ginning to get under way. 1t is probable as
many more will be found The glimmer of
lanterns procured from farm houses in the
vicinity and from the few houses left stand
ing was the only light they had to work by.
Two or three bodies were stumbled upon in
the middle of the street where they were
stricken down by flying bricks or timbers.
The cellars Of houses, and every sort oil rel
uge were filled with shivering people, hud.
ding together in the vain attempt to keep
warm One babe in arms has died from eX-
posure. The morning trains will carry
plenty of assistance.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, Sept 9.-The Jour-.
mails Rich Hill, Mo-, special says: High
winds visited this place last night, causing
several thousand dollars damage The fine
brick residence of Mr.. Klatzche was partly
demolished, and his son, aged Is, crushed
to death. H. M. Booths house was torn
from its foundation and number of others
unroofed.