The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-15

THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
Additional and Graphic Details OF the De-
vastation Attica.
Special to the Indianapolis journal
ATTIoA May 14.-The cyclone that struck this
city was first seen near Rossvile, ILL.,, an hour
earlier than its appearance here. It was seen
by the passengers on a train on the G. & E. L
Mr.. E. E. Babcock, of indianapolis, was the first
to observe it. and he said he noticed the first time
1t took on peculiar shape. He glanced at the
west, which was crossed with long line of black
clouds. Suddenly a section, as clearly cut as
though done with a knife, fell out of the middle
of the clouds, unrolling like q curtain. This it
did In three distinct motions in that time
dropping to the ground, but keeping up
its connections with the clouds above.
SO that it was as though a scroll
had been dropped from them. When first OBJ
served it was several miles away, but was adj
vancing in the direction of the train. The train
was slackened to see in which direction the storm
would GO, there being imminent danger Of comI
ing directly In its path. At length, when IL was
a distance Of about half mile 1t was seen that
it would be better to pull ahead, which was
done. the passengers meanwhile being almost
frantic from fear. AS it advanced it preserved
its original appearance, that of an intensely
black square carpet or curtain, with rolling
edges at either side. 1t seemed to sweep every
thing in its path, at places scorching the grass
as effectually as though it had been burned in
prairie fire. AS it passed it narrowed in width
from about eight hundred feet to four hundred,
though it did not assume the funnel shape.
This was maintained, apparently, till the storm
passed out of sight to the eastward The con-
ductor made the remark then that if the storm
did not change its course 1t was certain to sweep
Attica, as 1t was bearing directly in that direc-
ton. When it reached the Wabash river, which
it did just north of Williamsport, it was in the
same shape. and left trace plainly discernible
from this side. Spectators who witnessed its ap-
proach say that 1t was met when about midstream
bya countercurrent or storm from the northeast.
When they came together they seemed to rise in
the air, much as two lions might in struggle for
mastery. Graphing and whirling, they for
few moments seemed to hesitate, and then, with
an energy fearful to behold, the mingled fury
made sudden plunge for the water, which ii
threw up to the very clouds. 1t is asserted that
mud was scooped from the very bottom of the
Wabash, and the claim is substantiated by the
fact that the city is completely spattered on it's
west side with mud and muddy water.
When it struck the surface Of
the river, those who saw it
say it dashed an inverted avalance of water to
height of not less than two hundred feet This
would seem incredible, were there not so many
evidences on every hand of similar exhibitions
of ctr iy,<o air 4
swooped down on the bridge which it seized. as
one would cane or stick, and, whirling it in the
air, seemed to dash it into the river, making q
second loud report and dash of water to a great
height The work of destruction begun, it was
carried forward with ferceness and resistless-
ness that was appalling to the startled inhabit-
ants, who scarcely had time to take second
thought before il was down on them. With
roar peculiar to this kind of storm, it swept
forward toward the city, taking generally
northeasterly course Leaving the river,
and barely missing the fine new bridge Of the
Chicago g. Indiana coal railway, it took in sew
eral small residences and shops and then over
turned a large passenger coach Of that road,
with freight attached, and at the same
time taking with it the freighthouse of that
road, scarcely vestgo of which remains to tell
where it stood. To the north of this it laid hold
of some cars on the Wabash switches, serving
them in the same manner it did those of the
other road. No particular harm was done them
beyond overturning them. Across the street
the storm began to get in its perfect work Of
destruction in way that carried dlsmay to the
people, for it made an onslaught upon the maru.
fart nf tho MI Tha frat IN faal ha
brunt of the wind was the wagon works of David
Smith, which were almost completely destroyed,
together with quite number of wagons
mounted and unmounted. Between these works
and those of Hess & Harvey, wagon-makers,
an almost clean sweep was made Of o
number of small residences. The first shop
of the latter firm, at the corner of Main and
Union streets, was completely razed, and the
floor swept as clean as with broom Not splin-
ter remained above the ground floor. The loss
was total Their second shop. to the north Of
this one. and containing a number of finished
wagons, met with a like fate, leaving the firm
without wheel or a shingle to afford it shelter.
The gravest loss however, was suffered when
the large carringe works Of Fisher, Arbogast s.
Co. went down in shapeless mass of bricks and
mortar Some sixty fine carriages were in the
store-rooms. and were smashed into much
worthless wood and iron Their paint shops.
blacksmith shops, large structure to itself. re-
pository and finishing shops all went down to.
gether in irretr; ,le ruin. Their loss Is the
heaviest felt b Ranks horse-shoeing shop.
adjoining ont st, was next demolished.
The splendid new roller process Touring mill,
in the square next north of these, was next grap-
pied by the storm, hut managed to weather II
without going down. 1t lost its roof, however,