The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-09-10
SWEPT BY A CYoLONE.
Washington Court House and Bloomington
BADLY Wrecked by tho Wind,

WhbhihEtoh Oourt MOUSE anu bloomington
Badly Wrecked by tho Wind,
SPRINGFIELD, o, September 9-The
Gl0be-Repnbllcs special say: A terrible
cyclone struck Washington Court House,
a city OF 1000 inhabitants, twenty-five
miles west OF here, at 8 o'clock this
evening, and almost literally swept II
from the earth. II came from the north
west and broke upon the town very sud
denly, carrying everything before II.
The tornado whirled up Court street, the
main business thoroughfare, and ruined
almost every business block on II, at
least forty or fifty In oil. Hardly priv
ate residence In the town escaped, fully
four hundred buildings going down. The
Baptist, Presbyterian and Catholic
churches all suffered the common fate.
The Ohio Southern, Pan Handle, Narrow
Gauge and Midland Railroad depots were
blown 10 amithereens, and every build.
ing In the Vicinity was carried away,
making ingress or egress almost lmp0ssi.
BILE. Az every wire within q circle Of
two miles is down, II Ia utterly imp0ssi-
BILE TO get accurate details Of this catas.
trOphe. The only reports that can be
gotten are through an enterprlsing
operator who tapped d wire two miles
west OF the town, and Ia sitting In q
heavy storm 10 work his Instruments.
The panic'strlcken people were taken
completely unawares, and fed from the
tumbling buildings In every direction
through the murky darkness. A mad
frenzy seemed to seize, and they hur-
ried hither and thither in their wild
distraction, little knowing whittier they
were fleeing. After the whirlwind,
which lasted about ten minutes, q
heavy rainfall set In, which still con.
tinues undated at this writing. As
soon as q few Of the cooler heads Tecoy.
cred their senses, searching parties we're
organized, aud the sad work OF looking
for the dead began. 30 far fifteen bodies
have been recovered from the debris of
various ruined buildings, and the dreary
work 10 just beginning 10 get under
way. II ls probable ae many more will
be found before morning. The glimmer
Of lanterns procured from farmhouses
In the Vicinity and from the few
houses left standing is the only light
they have to work by. Two or three
bodies have been stumbled upon In the
middle OF the street, whert they we're
stricken down by flying bricks or tim
6ers. The cellars, houses, and every
sort Of refuge were filled with shivering
people, budding together In the vain
attempt 10 keep warm. One babe In
arms has died from exposure. The
morning trains will carry plenty Of
assistance, but strange 10 say nobody
has yet thought Of sending special train
TO the scene OF the catastrophe tonight.
A DESTRUCTIVE CYCLONE.
COLUMBUS, September 9.-shOrtly be-
fore midnight the report reached here
that a destructive cyclone had visited q
portion OF the western part OF the State,
and had destroyed nearly oil OF Wash
ingt0n @. H., In Bayette county. The
cyclone struck the town about $3.50 p.
m, and lasted but ten minutes, In that
time demoishlng three churches, the
telephone exchange, three bridges, four
depots, and over a hundred business and
dwelling houses. The dead bodies OF
two unknown persons have been found,
and II In believed several others have
been killed or seriously injured, The
loss to property cannot be ascertalned,
but II will reach several hundred thou.
sand dollars. All telegraph and tele.
phone wires are down, and II Ia imp0s-
sible TO get the particulars tonight.
A Bloomingsburg special adds that
the latter town In In rnins. Owing TO
no condition OF the telegraph wires de-
tails cannot be given.