New-York tribune., 1888-03-27
A TOWN RUINED BY A GALE
ONLY THREE HOUSES LEFT STANDING.
THREE PERSONS KILLED AND SEVENTEEN MORE
OR LESS HURT-rHE rEoPLE DESTITUTE.

THREE PERSONS KILLED AND SEVENTEEN MORE
OR LESS HURr--rHE rEoPLE DESTITUTE.
KANSAS CITY March 26 (SpeciaD Word has just
reached here of the almost utter destruction of the
town OF Minnesota, Kingman County, Kansas,
last Saturday evening at 1880 p. m by tornado.
It had been raining all day. and as evening ap-
preached the funnelshaped terror was seen ap-
preaching from the southwest. 1t struck the town.
destroying everything in its path, leaving only
three houses standing In the town. Two churches
live stores and fifteen dwellings were also torn to
pieces. and the flying timbers caused the death
Of three and the manning of seventeen persons
The dead are Mrs X. G. Williams with her infant,
and George S. Hardesty. James Williams had
both legs broken and was severely bruised, and
will probably die. Charles Gordon was Injured
in the back, supposed to be fatally. The others
Injured have only minor hurts. The heavy fall
Of rain. which has kept up since the storm began.
has reduced the people Of the village to dcsti-
tuition. party went to Wichita for relief on
SUNDAY. arriving there late in the evening thus
making known the calamity. -.
LANDSLIDE IN KANSAS CITY
SOME HOUSES DESTROYED AND IMPORTANT FAC
TORIES AND RAILROAD BUILDINGS THREATENED.
KANSAS CITY, March 28 (speciaD.-The heavy rain
storm which prevailed all day Saturday yesterday
caused a landslide the BLUM facing the Union
station For 1,500 feet the entire bluff appears to have
been pushed forward Hundreds of tons Of rock and
earth have slipped down the steep hillside. For sew
eral hours previous to the landslide peculiar snap
ping noise could be heard the face Of tho bluff.
This was followed by crash which startled the whole
city. Masses Of earth and huge boulders crashed
down. completely demolshng the frame engine house
at the entrance OF the Eighth Street Cable Line
Along the face Of the bluff about half way from tho
base to the top is ledge about thirty feet in width
on which are number Of shantes and cottages,
occupied by negroes This ledge is now scanned with
immense assures which extend Its whole length and the
houses are tilted in every direction. The residents
were compelled TO fee for their lives. This body Of
rock and earth overhangs the tracks in the Union
Station yards and may descend at any moment upon
Blust and cover all tho tracks which lead east and
north from the city, thus cfcctually stopping railway
traf1c In those directions and completely blocking
Iilunst- which is the main road from tho Union
station to the main portion Of the city. Ono hugo
boulder as large as house fell midway, but lodged
before reaching the bottom and hangs suspended
threatening danger to all who pass below The Fifth
street Cable Line passes under this impending mass |
and should the land slide any further this portion OF
the road would be destroyed The Union Station and
the stores along Union-ave, the elevated railway |
station. the Eighth Street Gable Line, power-hOnse |
and several factories and mills lie directly In the path
OF the avalanche Tho wall built by the city along tho
face OF tho bluff has been broken, increasing the peril
to tho buildings below