Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-05-20
A TERRIBLE CYCLONE
GREAT DESTRUCTION AND FEAR.
Full LOSS OF LIFE AT KAN.
SAS CITY.

i"S hOhi 1he SOUTHWESTERN horizon, and
IN few moments the city was envelop-
ed in darkness which not only put a
stop to all business, but held the entire
population spell-bound by wonder and
fear. As the darkness grew more in
tense the crowded business streets were
abandoned and thousands of terrorized
people crowded Offices and stores.
There were but few minutes for spec
ulation as to the cause of the unnatural
darkness at midday, the wind rose to
terrific violence and the rain fell, or
rather was driven through the deserted
streets in torrents. Never before in the
history of the Southwest was such a
storm witnessed. Bursting clouds
seemed to empty their contents on the
storm-beaten city in rapid succession.
Even Kansas City's steep grades re-
fused to carry off the water. Streets
and alleys we're converted into mad riv-
ers. and cellars and first floors were
inundated Horses and vehicles with
out drivers could be seen absolutely
drifting down the main streets, and the
terror-stricken population made no
effort to stay the work of destruction
which was going on before their eyes.
The water fell in such solid masses at
the hight of the storm that it was inn
possible TO distinguish objects in the
street from the crowded offices and
stores. Fragments of vehicles and
articles washed from loaded wagons
iloated down the main business streets.
Some of the narrow streets presented
the appearance of small rivers during
freshet.
But with all the evidences of one OF
Natures most frightful commissions
rushing through the streets before then
eyes, the frightened people in theii
houses, offices. and stores had no con.
ception of the terrible work of death
and destruction in progress in Other
parts of the city. The monstrous roar
of the rain and wind was broken in
some localities by the frightful crash
of falling buildings, followed by the
screams and groans of the unfortunate
inmates. Even these thrill ling eviden.
ces of human suffering and distres.
failed to induce those who were safely
housed to venture out in the awfu
storm, with its flying bricks and frag
ments of buildings.
After the clouds burst and the wind
had continued with undated fury fol
fully three quarters OF an hour there
was sudden cessation. The storm
which a few minutes before had beer
emptying great chunks of water on the
city, tearing off roofs and leveline
buildings, suddenly subsidized into 8
quiet drizzle with little or no wind. In
few moments the streets were crowd
ed with pale, inquiring faces, and mer
and women ran to and fro. Hose reels
and hook and ladder wagons dashed
madly about, looking for the ruins of
buildings where assistance was most
needed. Soon the streets were full Of
reports of horrible calamities. Men ran
wildly from one point to another,
seeking chances to assist and rescue the
injured and dying.
REsCUING THE VICTIMS.
Thousands of people gathered about
the fallen Lathrop School with its bur-
led children. The streets about the
Kansas City overall factory on third
street, between Delaware and Wyan-
dottc, were crowded with horror-strick
en- people waiting the removal of the
dead, dying and injured from the mass
of ruins. The more active spirits in all
the crowds took hold with vigorous
hands. The rescuing parties were
urged on to frenzied efforts by the
heartrending cries and groans of bur-
led victims Business and profes-
sional men dashed into the mass OF
brick, dust and rubbish, eager to be the
first 10 reach the bloody, dust-covered
and unconscious bodies. There was
damage everywhere. Roofs without
number were carried away or torn to
pieces. Hundreds of windows were
blown iu in fact, few escaped in the
large buildings. Telephone and tele-
graph wires were blown down. tangled
and tied in fantastic knots
About the time the first storm of hail
came down upon the city terrific wilma
swept in from the northwest and level
ed buildings in wide swaths as though
they were fragile MS cggshels. The
stouteSt structures fell with crash that
sounded above the din of the storm.
The air seemed vast eddy in which
the fragments from hundreds of build
.ings darled like deadly missiles.
At THE LATHRoP sCHOOL-HOUsE.
A. the wind swept in from the north
west, it passed over Broadway, damag-
ing the large brick buildings at Ninth
and Broadway and then struck the
Lathrop School building at Eighth and
May streets with terrific force. The
building was crowded with scholars.
many of whom grew almost frantic with
fear rs the black clouds masSed them
selves above the buildings and let down
Il sea of water. A hail-storm followed.
and while it was at its hight the roar of
.he approaching wind was heard. and
there was no time to eseape-Scarcely
time for the imprisoned children to
scream-before the masonry crashed
down upon them. The storm struck the
northwest corner of the building. Just
under the tower, and blew in the entire
upper portion of the structure. The
heavy masonry crashed through the
third second and first floors. and buried
the children in the southwest basement
room under a fearful weight of masonry
and timber. The children in all the
other rooms escaped with but little in
jury. and, although a sea of water was
falling. rushed from the building and ran
TO their homes. The imprisoned children
II. rf.,I lou -. Ill.