Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1885-09-10
TERRIFIC CrcL0N.
Almost Total DestPuclten Of an Ohio
Tewn.

Almost Total Destruction Of an Chic
fswn.
CLKvELAsD Ohio }, Sept. s.-A Leoier
special from Springfield says: a ter
fible cyclone struck Washington Q. H.,
city Of 400 inhabitants, Is miles west Of
here, at 8 O'Clock this evening. and al
most totally swept it from the earth.
Ii came from the northwest, and broke
upon the town suddenly, carrying every
thing before il. fhe tornado vhirled
up Court street, the main business thor
oughfare, and ruined almost every bust
ness block ON it, at least 40 or so 10 all.
Hardly private residence in the town
escaped, fully 400 buildings esinR down
The Baptist, Presby terrain and Catholic
churches all suffered the common fate.
The Ohio Southern, Pan Handle, Mar
row Gage and Midland depots were
blown to smithereens, AMI every build
ing in the vicinity was carried away,
making ingress or egress almost impos-
sible.
As every wire within a circle Of two
miles il down II Ia utterly impossible ts
get accurate details of the catastrophe.
The only reports that can be gotten are
tArough an operator who tapped the
wire two miles west of town, and is sit
ting in heavy rain storm to work his
Instruments. The panic stricken PEG
pie were taken completely unawares.
and fed from tumblinp buildings in
every direction through the murky
darkness. Mad frenzy seemed to seize
them, and they harried hither and
thither in their wild distraction, little
knowing whittier they were fleeing.
After the whirlsiHd, which lasted
about ten minutes, a heavy rainfall set
In, which still continues undated at
this writing. As soon a. a few of the
cooler heads recovs red their senses
searching parties we're organized, and
the sad work of looking for the dead
began. So far Is bodies have been re-
covered from the debris and the various
ruined buildings, aud the dreary work
Is just beginning to get under way.
Probably as many more will be found
before morning. The giinmer of Ian
ters procured from farm houses in the
vicinity Of the few houses left standing
Is the only light they have to work by.
Two or three bodies have been stumbled
on in the middle of the street, where
they were stricken down BY flying
bricks or timbers. Cellars of houses
and every sort of refuge were filled with
shivering people, haddline together in a
vain attempt TO keep warm. One babe
in arms had died from exposure. The
morning trains will carry plenty of pro-
visions. but strange to say nobody has
yet thought Of sending a special train to
the scene tonight"
COLUMBUS, Sept. 8.-The most alarm
ing reports are current here regarding
the loss Of life and property at Wash
inRt0n Court House. A cyclone gutted
that city tonight. Help will be sent at
3 O'clock to the destitute families. At
Plain City, Is miles from this city, a
carriage factory and mill were demol-
ishsd and other buildings unroofed.
This place is on q direct line with Wash
inRton Court House. All along south to
the Ohio a trail Of destruction is report
ed In like manner.
CINCINNATI, Sept. 9.-Advices from
Circisville, Ohio, are that tornado
passed through the county few miles
south Of that place, unroohng houses
and blowing down fences and trees. A
very heavy rain fell. News from WASH
inRton Court House is difficult to oh.
tain, an the telegraph wires are down in
all directions. Not word had been re-
ceived from there mp to 1890 D. IN.
WAsHrsoroN COURT HOUSE,. o., Sept.
9.-lhe cyclone which came upon this
town last evening at O'Clock, almost
completely demolished II. Not single
store facing the center square, out of
10, Ia left intact, and a majority OF
them are lsvelled. About 200 residences
were destroyed, and the streets are so
filled with debris that IL il almost im-
possible to pass. Sheriff Rankin order
cd out the militia, which took charge
and helped to get order out Of chaos,
All the gas went out when the storm
came. and as the works were destroyed,
bonfires had to be built in the streets TO
give light far the searchers. The total
known to be dead is five and about fifty
injured. One Of the latter Of these was
the manager of the Telephone Exchange,
who was hurled across the street and
had one arm and one leg and his collar
bone broken. some houses were lifted
bodily aud carried several hundred feet
and then dashed to the ground with ter
rifio force. The shattered fragments
we're then hurled in some instances q
quarter OF mile.
A relief committee is at work AID all
the houses not destroyed have been
thrown open to the homeless. Farmers
are coming in by dozens, bringing food
and Bedding. Every hotel, bank, church
and business hoase in the town Ia ruin
ed. The utmost desolatien prevails.
People coming in report finding debris
ten miles from town. Mollie Jones,
Edith Floyd. Ellen Forsyer, Jennie
Forsyer and Flora Carr were killed.
Herbert Taggart. James Jackson and
John Vanpelt are supposed TO be fatally
wounded. Fully six hundred persons
we're hurt-too many 10 make 10 prac-
ticable 10 give names. The loss will
exceed million dollars. The Council
has appointed relief committees, and
the militia are guarding the stores
whose contents are still exposed.
CIscrNSArI, Sept. 3. - Washington
Court HOUSE. the scene Of the most dis
astrous visitation by the elements last
night, is the county seat OF Fayette
county. II has had most extraordi-
nary business growth within the past
fifteen years. and being the center Of
rich agricultural district with excellent
railway facilities, il had grown 10 be a
business place Of considerable impor-
tance. Its residents had beautified the
town with tasteful dwellings,, and its
recently completed court house Vas one
of the best In the State. Today this
prosperous place is q mass OF ruins
Last nights experience Of its inhabit
ants has no parallel 10 tie experience
Of any town in Ohio. A heavy rainfall
began about 8 o'clock last night. That
and the darkness drove every body into
shelter, % that while there are seine Who
say they saw funnel shaped cloads, Il
does not seem possible that there oo1ld
have been mach observation OF the
heavens.
shortly after the rain began the wind
came With terrifying clouds. Its work
wss almost instantaneous. The people
cay IL vas over IN two minutes. but no
body could take note Of time In such a
fearful experience. The fierce roaring OF
the terrible tornado, the crashing OF
broken and falling buildings, the sharp
| flashes Of liz, thing. the rollisg thunder
and pitiless rain combined 20 produce
sspsstion OF most horrifyins character.
Tvo minutes of this startling sxpe-
rjsuss was followed by new feeling
among the scattered and terrified sur
vivors. more siokeniBg than that through
which they had passed. IL Was The un-
certainty Of the fate Of friends and
| reiatiyes. All Who escaped alive felt