The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-20
Thirty-0 Persons Known to Be Killed,
and the Number May Be Larger.
Twenty Unfortunates Receive Injuries that
Will Result in Death, and the List Of Those
Less Seriously Hurt Is Very Large.


CHICAGO, Feb. ia special telegram to the
Times, from Mount Vernon. ILL.,, says: AT about
5 o'clock this afternoon, a cyclone struck this
town and left it IN ruins, killing twenty-five
to thirty people, and 1t is feared many more
than are now known to have been killed will be
found among the ruins of the buildings. Fire
Immediately broke out all over the city amid
the ruins, spreading rapidly. The storm came
from the southwest. and had rotary motion.
Itswept down with fearful fury, striking first
just south of the city hall. and carrying away
the third and fourth stories of the Mount
Vernon mill From there it swept on in a path
500 yards wide The Methodist Church fell just
a few minutes after $50 people had left the
Sunday school room. The Commercial Hotel
lost its third story. Next the wind struck the
ruins By rare luck, however, the county rec
ords were saved. The Crew Block, on the
south side of the square, is leveled with tho
earth. and under it was found the body of John
caeo. The roof and second story of r. l.. STRAIT
ton & Co.'s hardware store was blown away.
The large two-story brick school-house did not
Withstand the terrible shock any better than the
smallest house in the track OF the
cyclone. The large two-story frame
house Of George Ward was picked up and carried
about twenty feet and left unhurt while two
brick buildings one hundred feet away were left
in ruins. The loss not be estimated. but
not less than half million dollars, svofth Of
property has been destroyed by the cyclone and
fire in the neighborhood. The sky has cleared,
and no clouds give any indications of the dis
astrous storm of few hours ago. 1t is growing
colder, and many poor people will suffer if the
weather becomes severe.
Assis tance was autographed for to Evansville,
Ind, and special train with fire engines and
reels, also number of physicians, was immedi-
ately sent to the rescue.
Reports are coming in from the country, and
the storm seems to have swept everything for
miles Serious loss of life and great suffering
will follow unless outside assistance is given.
Monetary assistance and supplies should be sent
to the Mayor, g. H. Harnell, who will give it to
the proper committee.
A meeting of business men was held and COM
mittees appointed to care for the dead and
wounded and protect the property as much as
possible. Many people who escaped with their
the streets with no homes to go to. The north
side Of the courthouse square is injured con-
siderably; no buildings were wrecked except
Howard g. Strattons.
The wounded are being cared for by the ply
sicians in the best possible manner. The rail
road shops were badly damaged and a great
number of homes destroyed. Many of the peo-
ple who lived in the track of the storm with
out shelter, and the dead and dying are scattered
throughout the city. All the doors of the re-
manning houses have been thrown open
TO the less fortunate. Three -fourths of the
business portion of the city is ruined
financially. The public square is in the center
of the town; the courthouse is in the center of
the square; the school building is in the north
east corner of the city, and all the dwellings in
that portion Of the city destroyed and the
ruins OF some are still burning. In all. two
hundred buildings are destroyed and many
others injured. The dead are now being gathered
at the Supreme Court house, which has been
converted into hospital for the dead and
wounded. This building is also damaged, but
not seriously.
The latest reports show 20 dead and about
100 injured, some Of whom will die before morn
ing
Later reports say two more have died. They
are Eddie Maxey and Mrs. Cooper. A number
of the wounded are dying. A number of men
names cannot be learned at present, are re-
ported badly injured and dying.
The storm was preceded by hail, but not more
than five minutes elapsed until the feaful Ge-
stroyer had swept over the doomed town. 1t
came from the southwest Buildings were
wrenched and twisted and then dashed to pieces.
The storm passed little south Of the city ball.
missed Mr.. Chances house. swept away the
third and fourth stories of the Mount Vernon
mill and destroyed nearly every house from the
mill north fer space OF about 500 yards.
John c. Murray was killed in the Crew Block.
Henry Ellis covered by bricks from this
building and escaped by almost q miracle.
Charles Ellis, his brother. was seriously in
jursd. r. e. Ryan escaped in . manner almost
incredible. He was standiag by Dir. Murray.