The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-05-14
death Dealt
Out from the Angry Clouds Of a
May Sky.
The Disastrous Effects Of the Ele-
mental Strife.
The Night Of Terror that Settled
over Xenia, Ohio.
A Peaceful, Purling Stream Be-
comes Stygian Torrent,
Sweeping away Houses aud En-
quilting the Inmates.
Twenty-Five Bodies Recovered
Eleven StIll Missing.

which ragged here from nine until twelve
o'clock last night is supposed to have been
water spout, ItstruCk the southwestern
part Of the town and followed the course
Of the Shawnee river, which had swollen
In q few moments 30 rs to inundate all the
banks, and neighboring streets, sweeping
away or totally running more than one
hundred houses. Many were swept down
the current with families in them. One
Of these, that OF Aaron Ferguson, con-
tanned nine persons Of his own family
and three OF John Burchs, who had lied
there for safety. A man named Earbor
risksd his lie by throwing himself into
the current and floating against the house
and with a rope in his hands succeeded
in saving the inmates OF the house by
means OF boat,
Twenty dead bodies have been taken
1ut OF the stream, and are now lying in
the Mayors office, andmany more are sup
posed TO be lOst. Tbs Panhandle railroad,
including its embankments, is q total
wreck in this entire vicinity. The great
eat excitement prevails. The building
which contains those who perished 10 sur
rounded by crowds anxious to view the
remains OF the dead. Many narrowing
stories are narrated. A family named
Norris was aoated away in their house
and drowned, with the exception oi
a child about seven years old, who was
found this morning cllnging to q tree.
The storm Is described as the most dis:
4strous ever known on the Little Miami
railroad. The nearest approach any train
could make TO the city was three miles.
me bridges were all washed away, trees
blown down, fences destroyed and crops
tuIned. II will require days to repair the
railroad, but meanwhile eastern travel
will be conducted via the Muskingum
Valley rallIoad, U..I
now THE DISASTER OCCURRED. -
The principal stream flowing through
Xenia is Archer Greek which Is generally
large stream with no defending powers.
rhe stream became 80 greatly swollen on
account Of heavy rains until the c1lyert
was taxed to It's utmost TO give the water
,assape way. When driftwood COM
nenced coming down the swollen stream
| il was caught 1t the Culvert until q perfect
lam was formed. Citizens perCeiVtng the
danger worked earnestly 10 dlslodge the
timbrrs and driftwood, which kept in.
| !reasinR, but the force OF the current
gedVed them in 80 tight that their efforts
we're futile. The water backed up and soon
| oyeIlowed Its banks aud ere long formed
IN extensive reservoir. People all over
the city began to grow alarmed, but before
iehuite action was taken tho water. broke
tbe ombankment and rushed through the
town, tearing down trees and washing
| ,way houses. More than 100 houses were
swept away. Many residences were swept
down the current With their rinmates. One
oi these, that OF Aaron Ferguson, con.
cained nine persons Of his own family and
three OF John BurCh's, who had It'd there
for safety.
THE PuRY or THE STORM.
CoLuMBUs, O., May 13.-The STATE Jour
nal, Xsnia special says: About o'clock
last evening terrible clouds were seen
gathering, and terrific lightning, followed
IN peals Of thunder. This lasted till 9
O'clock. when an extraordinary clap Of
| thunder seemed To open the food gates
md rain fell in torrents. The people liv.
inc In the houses on Water street escaped
by every way possible. The spout seemed
| 10 vent its fury on that portion OF the city.
For stretch Of $50 yards the Little Miami
railroad is swept away. The spout struck
houses on Water street and tore them to
pieces az II they were shells. A resident
81 the street states that within two minutes
after the clap Of thunder he stoodin water
| 10 bis waist, he being about twenty-five
Yards from the creek. When the waters
reached the residence OF Aaron Ferguson
Il was swept away with nine inmates and
lodged against bridge, where they were
afterwards rescued.
The next damage WAS at the coal yard
OF Samuel CLARK, In which was located q
tenement house occupied by q family
named Powell, nine In humber. Up to D
p, n. none Of them were heard from.
HouSEs SWIFT AWAY.
The next point Of destruction was a
mint known as the bottoms. A dozen
honsps. occupied mostly by colored peo.
nie here, were swept away. Dozens ot
houses were lost. The railroads leading
out Of the city are swept away 30 that it is
lImnossible 70 hear from outside points.
AZ leaSt dozen trains areIhere within o
law miles Of the city. The telegraph wires
are down, and business 10 suspended.
4 family named Morris was swept away.
The lRst seen OF them was at the Miami
lSlreet bridge, where o man was seen at the
window by the terror.stfiCken crowd
waving liihted lamp. The next minute
the house collapsed and they were gone.
0nly one, a boy u years Of age, has been
iornd, The work Of finding bodies still
Sontipues tonight. The MayoFS Office ls
iuYned into morgue. There are now
ItWentv.two bodies there. The scenes are
hsSrtfendinR, Whole families lie dis.
figured on cots.
LIST or THE KILLED.
Following Ia a list Of the killed
MRS, LINDSAY, (coloted).
MRs. CASEY, (colored).
Mas, ANDERSON, (colorsdl,
A child named ASpERsoS.
MRs. CoRcoRAN, (white).
4 CSippled idiot named CoRCoRAS.
Ma, and Mas, Lofts ANDERSON
ST1PHEN DAEpoA. .....
ORiN MORRIS, WIS and VtVE CHILDREN,
tRStS PGuLL, (COlOtsd,) wiIr and 1--WE
CHILDREN,
WILLIAM EVANS and WIFE.
The loss Of property is great, whole INN.
bet yards and oil bridges being swept
Scenes in The devasted district Are ID.
Idemribable. Forces Of men are busily
engaged In clearing away the debrlg and
hundfeds Of people surround the places.
J ltfanRefs have begun 10 pour into the
. city from eyety direction. The council
mi appfopfiated $1,000 tot immediate use
in Die burial Of the Victims. Phvate
subscriptions have already reached into
lIhe thousanda. A committee 10 going
ihfonRh the city for clothing and bed
, dlug, The fihk has been tutned Into q
! feiuFe for the homeless who are many. d,
Among the Losses are mcdowell anu
Terrence, lumber, $1,000 Miami Powder