The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-21
Careful Investigation Shows that First Re-
ports Did Not Exaggerate Either the Loss
of Life or the Injury to Property.
An Urgent Appeal from the Mayor in Be-
half of the Homeless UntOrtunates.
Twelve to Fifteen Hundred People Deprived
of Their Homes and in Need Of Lifa's Neces-
saries-Revised List of the Killed.


visited this city yesterday afternoon, at 5
O'Clock, destroyed nearly 800 residences places
of business, and unhoused from 1900 to 500
people. In the fall of the walls many persons
were buried under the debris, and thrty-fve
were killed, while twice many more were in
iured, eight ten seriously that their
covery is despaired Of Preceding the destruct-
i've wind was heavy fall of rain for half an
hour, which drove all the inhabitants to shelter.
This was followed by slight hail-storm, ac-
companied with lightning, and then the furious
blow, which formed into the funnel shaped cy-
clone. struck the southwestern portion of the
city. unroofng verything IN its path. taking
diagonal through the business part of
the city. unrooing and dismantling the SUI
preme Court building, near the Louisville 81
Nashville depot, and skipping along to the
Methodist and Baptist churches. caving them
into worthless masses. At point the de-
structive element jumped upward and missed
several stores and residences, but soon pounced
down again and began a career of unparalleled
ferocity and destruction, tearing down heavy
brick buildings. wrenching and twisting frame
structures out of semblance and making a use
less mass of solid walls. The massive court
house that occupied the public square. in the
center of the city, was literally torn to pieces,
the walls being twisted and crushed. The tower
was lifted and dropped to tho westward, and de.
molished the handsome pillars that supported
the entrance. This was the extreme point to
the north that the storm reached, although the
business block in which is the Mount Vernon Ma
tional Bank and other business houses
somewhat dismantled by nyine bricks and tim
bers. Fifty yards south of the court house the
storm seemed to ne at it's height. On the corner
of Washington street aud the public square
Crews's Block, a thresstory brick building,
slightly feet 'front.' occupied by the Evans Bank.
a grocery and u saloon. This building was thor
oughly demolished, and then, taking hre, all in
fammable material was consumed. The owner
OF the building. r. @. Murray, was caught in the
falling walls and was crematec. Ed Hapnal,
wife and small boy were in the basement hav-
ing taken refuge from the storm, and were
buried by the walls, but the man burrowed his
way out OF the ruins, making pas
sage for his wife and child, aud
then made an effort to sxtinguish
the flames. The fire was intonsely hot. and AZ
noon to-day the bricks gave of the heat OF fur
nace. Across the street. on Washington street,
was row of twos;ory frame buildings. with an
occasional brick Tho brick buildings were
cnved In, and tho frames were crushed out OF
shape against each other. Near the corner to
the south were n lot OF groegeres and frame
structures which served as warehouses and
dwellings. The storm played havoc here and
then turned the place over to tho fire, which
consumed tho last plank. These fires and the
crushed brick buildings leave n path which gives
o good view OF the destruction. Stores, dwell.
ings, mills and storehouses went down In the
general mass, and left tho streets obstructed.
The storm was over in three minutes, and the
people rushed out OF their safe retreats ana un-
harmed homes to give assistance TO the needy.
The flames shot up, and the fire company, aided
by the citizens, who had organized In squads.
began the work of rescue, which was carried out
systematically The Mayor filled his place ad-
miraby. and in short order had called for assist
ance from neighborng towns. Fire engines and
physicians were wanted. and Centralia Ashley,
Nashville and Evansville responded generously
and quickly. The citizens threw open their
houses to tho homeless, and their bedrooms be-
came hospitsls while the worthy matrons
turned expert nurses. What was left of the Su-
preme Court building was turned into morgue.
The citizens, rs soon as the injured had been
released from their perilous positions and the
wounded turned over to the OF physicians,
held meeting aud organized permanently The
City Council acted promptly and app ropriated
money in the CITY funds, the order quickly
cashed by the banks. The following com mittees
were apponted
Finance Committee--G. w. Evans, chairman; N.
Moss, secretary DIR. w. Duff Green, j. Il. Howard.
Morris Emerson, III. NJ Goodae.
Committee Information-Morris Emerson, John
w. Grear, g. III. Patton.
Relief Committee-First ward J. w. Baugh, A. T.
Taylor. Il. NJ. Walker, Mrs. q. II. varnell Mrs John
Guthrie, Mrs. Kim Collins. Second ward, J, w.
Pace, Mrs. VanWlbanks. Mrs. IT, b. Tauner, Mrs.
Mil!aga Reed; ID third Ward a NJ ssrastsn NJ
Watson Miss Elvira Mcfarland.
The committee will report TO Norman H. Moss,
secretary of the finance committee.
The following circular was issued this morn
ing. and is now being sent through the mails:
Mt. VERNON, I'LL, Feb 20-To the Mayor and
citizens-The city Of Mount Vernon, H., visited
carried death and destruction in it's path. About
thirty people killed outright. and of men,
ing and about thousand people made homeless
by the disaster. Some three hundred houses are
the county courthouse, public school buildings Meth
odst and Baptist churches. Supreme Court house,
road and many of the leading business houses also
total wrecks their contents being buried beneath the
much of the property which might otherwise have been
saved from the ruins. We sorely in distress. and
country for money and such other timely assistance
rs they may feel able to contribute. Money is needed
more tnaE provisions, as tnere are n few business
houses I'll may be able supply the demand send
cash contributions, if possible, to
GEO. W. EVANS,
Chairman Finance Committee.
NORMAN II. Moss, Secretary.
Alighting at the Louisville g. Nashville rail
road depot, the storm seekers attention is first
directed to the two-story Supreme Court build
ing, few yards from the depot, without dome
or roof but with sheets OF tin banging from it's
sides, marking pivot around which the storm
to swing. Ali else in this direction
is untouched. A few steps eastward. along tho
discloses to the southwest appalling
sight of devastation. It is in this direction that
the Iaboring classes have built their little ono
story cottages, among the timher and here it was
tha, the cloud first dropped down. and in
whirling fury, twisted immense oaks from tho
ground aud mashed the homes fat; then gather