Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-13
WESTERN STORMS.
Train Chased Collision Of Storm-clouds-
Lightnirg's Fatal work-Kuch
Property Destroyed.



CHICAGO, May l2.-Passepgers on
the Chicago and Alton train which srriyed
Tonight bad remarka ble experience
with Q cyclone at Pontiac, III. the storm.
cloud was seen gathering I'm the west aud
moving IN northeast direction. As the
usiD sped on the storm Kept coming nearer
every minute. and the passengers be.
gan TO realize that they were being
chased by the cyclone. Just as the
Train pulled into Odeli, H.. the storm
siruck the town. and the air was full OF
Debris. in q moment seven stores and a
hotel were unroofed and large brick build-
ing WAS nearly destroyed. Under the wreck
OF the structure two children were buried
The teltgsph-wiies In that vicinity are re-
ported down.
specials from strestor and Rockford,
H., and Peru. Ind, tell Of tenible wind
and hail-storm at those points. About
$50 z. NJ. heavy roaring clouds from the
south and east met Just over the city OF
Rockford and daylight was suddenly con
yeried into darkness. down-pour OF
damaging trees and breaking windows.
In the country surrounding Streator the
rnin and bail ragged for an hour aud half,
ana the destruction visited upon grain,
NUT. and oil negotiations is very great. :.
From Peru, Ind, tele yrams are received
10 the effect that houses were unroofed,
trees uprooted, and wheat blown down. A
large amount OF stock is reported killed by
lightning.
NEW YORK. May I2.--Repor,s from Pitts
burvh and other points Indicate terrible
storms in the neighborhood OF Clnclnnati
AL The wires are down In that region and
the city at midnight was inaccessible from
any point. 1T. Louis IL also cut of from
communication by the loss OF wires.
MORE DETAILS OF THE CYCLONE.
CHICAGO, May lathe Ihtcr-Ocedas
Joliet. ILL.,. special says: The most destruc-
IL, a ftdall VILLAGE
forty miles south OF Joliet. ON the Chicago
and Alton railroad. this afternoon. About
4 O'Clock the storm burst. Delegates TO the
state sabbatn-S School Convention, return
ing on train arriving here A. +. NJ, state
that rs the train reached Uden they saw the
cyclone approaching. First they saw the
roof OF an elevator raise snd sail OF
In the air and the building collapse: then
The hOteland the houses raised up, tumOieu
over Ike feathers, and we're shattered to
pieces-both brick and ffame-and all
sizes from sbanties TO two.story buildings
went The train was stopped. but AZ The
wind was blowing parallel with the track ~
was not upset though br1cRs ana stlc6s
broke the " indoWs. Considerable time was
required to move the debris from the track
before the train could proceed.
After the cyclone people busied tnem-
selves looking under the ruined houses for
those missing. The train resumed It's
tourney without giving the delegates
chance TO learn the casualties but they re-
port that several men, women, and children
are killed and injured, Local telegraph
agents have been trying To raise Odell MI
the evening, but cannot succeed, and the
r, ri extent OF the loss OF life and damage
cannot be ascertained.
I0fer.-One OF the severest storms ever
known here struck Joliet about $50 o'clock
this evening. A deluge Of rain, thunder,
and hail Inundated the earth. The thun-
der. bolts were deafeniDg and the electric
display unparalleled. A circus show was
having Performance here, and In the
midst OF the performance the storm struck
Inc tent and turned the whole show upside
down. a general stampede epsued, amid
sheets Of lightning, drenehing rain. and re-
sjstless gales OF wind. Three persons were
seriously injured by the falling poles, aud
mum Der were hurt slightly.