The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-04-25
STORM And FLOODS.
Great Damage Caused by Over
flowing Western Rivers.
Large Tracts Covered With Water
deaths by Lightning.

A special dispatch from Sioux City, Iowa,
states that during a violent electric storm a
cyclone passed over the city from southwest
to northeast. The funnel cloud was seen by
many and was accompanied by roaring
noise. It struck in but one place on the e1-
treme north west part Of the city. and then
rebounded in the air, passing rapidly over
the western suburbs. At the place where
the cloud struck it picked up the residence Of
Mark Modlin and hurled it to the ground in
verely injured. The house Of Mr.. Richmond
was wrecked and barn near by was split
into kindling wood MIR. Modlin saysh he saw
two clouds form and meet, and in moment
his house was hurled from its foundation.
At Sibley tornado swept over the country,
doing immense damage to property. With
out a moments warning the wind rose from
slight breeze to hurricane, and in short
time chimneys, fences, lumber, and other
property were torn from their resting places
and hurled through the air. A large Chin
ney on the public-school building crashed
through the roof into the midsto OF teachers
institute, but aside from few bruises no one
was hurt. The agricultural warehouse OF
Grant & Hanna was moved from its founda-
ton, and now stands at an angle OF forty-flve
degrees. Reports from the farming region
bring intelligence Of damage to stock. Inc
house Of Jacob Brooks was lifted from It's
foundation and torn into fragments
The Hood on the Missouri Immediately
above Sioux City has been the highest and
most disastrous since the memorable lnunda-
tion of the spring Of 1881. The region inun-
dated is the low grounds on the Dakota side
above Sioux River. During. the breakup OF
the ice two weeks ago, an immense gorge
formed in the curved channel OF the MISSOURI
below Elk Point. A dam was formed, and
the whole expanse Of low country overtowed.
I'm every direction for miles the whole coun-
try was under water. Elk Point was dimin-
utive island in vast sea-. The country tnere
is thickly settled, and many farmers mad Al
ready removed their live stock 70 the
bluffs Most of the houses are built on
eminences, but in most cases the flood over
flowed these also. Just below Elk Point the
county authorities have dug an immense
ditch along the line Of the lowest depression,
northeasterly towards the Sioux River, to
carry off flood waters. This ditch carried
flood of water with great violence into the
Sioux River above the st. Paul Railroad
bridge. There was thus vast river several
miles wide sweeping across the iowlands IL
ploughed out the ditch and threatened TO
Change the channel Of the Missouri in con-
formity with it, tore away fences, hay stacks,
Wav. About four miles Of the railroad track
were washed out this side Of Elk Point.
The Cedar River at Stansgar, Iowa, was
higher than it has been for several years. A
wagon load Of men and boys, in attempting
to cross q small swollen tributary, were
washed down the stream and four OF the boys
and the team were drowned. The names OF
the drowned are Frank Bundy, Isaac Lam
strom. Frank Rahmes, and Andrew Golberg.
Only the body Of Andrew Golberg has
been recovered. The high water has
damaged considerable mill property also.
A terrible wind and rain storm passed over
Delphi. Iowa. At Sleeth's, five miles north, 1t
was Of the nature Of a cyclone. several
houses were blown down, and freight tram
on the Monon line was lifted from the track.
Teleprams from dozen points in Dakota
report heavy rains and raging rivers. Inc
river was bank full at Wash6urn, ana tne
bottom lands below were flooded Tor miles:
At South Hart the railway bridge was swept
away. and all trains were Temporarily aoan,
doned. At Mankato, Mimi, the ice moved
in immense cakes, and gorge was feared
below the city. Twenty head of stock were
drowned on the lowlands. The river rose
fifteen feet in one night.
A remarkably severe Thunderstorm passed
over Centreville, Mimi, doing much damage
to property and causing the loss OF three
lives. James Parsons's barn in Sherman
township was struck by lightning and de,
stroyed. Mr.. Parsons and his little child and
a Mrs. Yakes being Instantly killed at the
same time.