The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-06-08
SWEPT BY THE STORM.
Wind and Lightning Visit this Section
With Destructive Effect--The
Damages Done to Proper
by Here and in the
Neighb0rhOOd.

the thermometer ranging from 30 to % in
the shade all day, and but for the breeze
which prevailed, the heat would have
been unbearable. Towards evening ugly
and threatening clouds began to gather
in the west and rose with alarming rapid
ity. People were panic stricken and
rushed indoors, thinking a tornado or
cyclone was coming A furious storm,
accompanied by wind, rain and lightning
VISITED ROCK ISLAND
about 6p. m. The storm was CT short
duration, but none the less destructive.
During its prevalence the wind blew
furiously, the rain fell in torrents. and
the lightning flashed sharply and contin-
uously, while above it all could be heard
the roar of thunder. AS soon as there was
a cessation of the storm, people ventured
out of doors, feeling that damage had
been done. and it was found that vegeta-
ton had suffered greatly. Trees and limbs
of trees were felled to the ground all over
the city, while signs and awnings were
torn down and thrown to the grou nd, or
carried off by the wind. The air seemed
to be filled with electricity as was shown
by the constant ringing of telephones.
A NARROW ESCAPE
was that of Mrs. Walstrom, wife of N.
Walstrom. the taller, residing at the cor
ner Of Twenty seventh street and Seventh
avenue. She was standing on the porch
watching the storm, when bolt of light
ming struck the gable of the house imme-
diately over her head. The electric current
ran down the side of the house and passed
through her left hand, entering between
the thumb and fore finger. The shock
was severe and painful one, and al
though it will be attended by no serious
results. will cause the lady much pain for
some time. The house caught fire, and
Mr.. Walstrom had considerable difficulty
in putting it out The roof and second
floor of the house was badly injured, and
Mr.. Walstrom's loss will be about 81 900.
Other buildings in the city were damaged
by the wind, and many unroofed, but no
other dwellings were struck.
The ferry Spencer was in midstream
coming to this shore. Persons on board
were frantic, and many women screamed,
and one was seen to fall upon her knees
thinking the last day of mortal existence
had come. A pleasure party was sailing
in a skif on the river. but they got to the
shore so quickly when the storm came up,
that many thought they had been
drowned. This caused wild rumors to fly
lover town, but there was no truth in
them.
The force of the storm was felt
DAVENPORT
more than here On the summit of Mt
Ida a new frame house in the course
of erection, belonging to J. N. Paxton,
was struck at the same moment with
wind and lightning, SCATTERING the roof,
and damaging the building to the extent
of 800. A plank ten feet long was car
ried by the wind to another house a block
Iaway and blown through window. A
man by the name of G. H. Coleman was
driving with his family near Mound and
First streets, when a slab came from a
\ lumber pile, and struck the horse in the
head. killing it instantly Trees were up
lrooted and felled. and many barns and
sheds demolished.
| AT MOLINE
and vicinity the storm was less destruc-
tive. although it caused considerable
damage in the way of scattering lumber
from the yard and destroying trees and
shrubbery. No severe damage was done
AT HAMPTON
The storm played sad havoc at Hamp-
ton. The steeple of the Methodist church
was blown down. and several fine trees
in front of MIR. Heagy's and DR.. Hunters
residences fell victims to the fury of the
elements. Sidewalks were upturned, and
some were blown a considerable distance
A barn belonging to man named Adams,
living on the hill, was shattered to pieces,
and fine buggy completely demolished.
WATERFOWL
also laid in the cyclones path. A shed
belonging to Daniel McNeal. fell to the
ground, and his barn was badly damaged.
A large shed, 100x30 feet. the property
of lack Einfeldt, situated near Port By
ron junction, was entirely destroyed. II
was built last fall, and was worth 800.
Strange to say, the long trestle work re,
Gently erected by Messrs. Heagy & Stod>
dard. escaped unscathed John Deere
suffered the loss of barn near the juno
ton.
Two buildings were blown down at
Barstow, and other damage done. 1t is
supposed that man who was in a skifl
on Rock river when the storm came up
was drowned.
THE COURSE OF THE STORM
seemed to be in asoutheasterly direction,
and it is likely it was only the outskirts
that visited this vicinity. The clouds,
which rose as they approached the city.
were apparently following the Wapsie
river, nineteen miles north of here-the
storm divided here, and portion went up
Rock river. The rain and wind continued
all night and those who went to bed
suffering with the hot and sultry at
mosphere, awoke this morning to find
ii almost wintry cold, the temperature
having fallen from fifty to sixty degrees
during the night. 1t was severe storm
and wild night for the populace of this
saction