River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-02-23
MOUNT vgRNoN.s MISFORTUNE


Of the cyetone-Over 900 Houses De-
snolishcd. Thirty-Ssx Llvss Lot. I4T
Persons Badly Hurt and Over $500 200
Worth az Property Destroyed - Relief
Asked For-Governor Oglc,by's ProcIa-
nation.
-HE Loss OVER $500. 600
MOUNT NETSOS, III, Feb. 2I-The world
at large has alre dy been informed that the
town OF Mount Vernon. the beaudful htt Q
cap tai OF Jeff Tson County, has been Wis
tied by great calamity, hut what has been
printed gives bat feeble ide. OF what has
befAl.ea the =. 500 people who had
the homes there Those who have At
L mpted TO count the celd and COM
pute the loss in dollars and GEMS
are unable TO give accurate figures Tne
most reliable figures obtainable show that
thin. y-sx people are now numbered among
the dead, while the count OF injured
shows that l47 people received injuries
more or less serious Many of these
injured are suffering from wounds that
may cripple them for life, and some can
nos survive their hurts A moderate est
mate shows that 4SO buildings, large and
small were leveled to the ground or
twisted and wrenched so that thev viii
have 10 be rebuilt before tenants dare oe-
cupy them The loss financially has been
placed at a little over $500, 600, but
an estimate, based on a careful sur
vey of the situation. shows that
100000 will hardly cover the loss
Summing up the county luidng, the
churches, business houses and stock OF
goods aggregate a loss of $4,000; fine
residences totally destroyed, S3s, 900: fine
residences injured. $40, 900; cottages,
warehouses, barns, etc, Sll5. 600; total
IL. Z.
this
IL has been discovered that the cyclone
formed one and -half miles southwest OF
Mount Vernon and Travelled in a north
easteriy direct on IL was first seen upon
the crest OF the hill. where il appeared
as a black ami funnel-shaped mass of
whiriing. twis ing clouds The roar was
loud and ominous, and the natives say
tn It closely resemhled the rumble of a
heavily loaded ira T.
THE COMMITTEES APPEAL.
The folio wing C rcu.ar was issued yester-
day morning and is now being sent through
the lis:
MOUNT VERNON. III, Feb. so--T'o NE III yor
and Citjssas: The city OF Mount rnon H..
was visited by a terrible cyclone - yesterday
Afternoon, which carried death AID destruction
in It's path. About thirty people were killed
outright and scores OF men, women and
children are manned, wounded and
bleeding, and about 1000 people are
made homeless by the disaster. Some 200
houses are swept almost from the face Of
the earth. among which are The county court
house. publ cschool buildings, Methodist and
Baptist churches, Supreme Court building
round-house OF the Louisville & Nashville rail-
road, ami many OF The leading business houses
are also total wrecks. their contents being
buried beneath the debris. a raging IRE
which broke out also destroyed much of
the property which might otherw 20
have been saved from the ruins. We are
sorely in distress and are forced 10 call upon
the charitable people OF the country Tor money
and such other mely assistance as they may
feel able to contribute Money IS needed more
than provisions as there are a few business
houses that may be able TO supply the demand.
SEND cash contributions If possible, to
GEORGE W. EVANS
Chairman Finance Committee.
NORMAN II. Moss. Secretary"
kID FOR TIE SUFFERERS
ST. LOUIS, Fen 81 - The citizens OF
Mount Vernon, as soon as the injured had
been released from Their perilOus pos tions
and ths wounded turned over TO the ears
OF physicians, held meeting aud organ
lied permanently The City Council acted
promptly and appropriated $500 for imme-
diate relief. and although there is no money
in the city fund the order was quickly
cashed by the banks
SPRINGFIELD. Ill, Feb 21.- Governor
Oglesby yesterday received notice that
1000 persons are homeless at Mount YER
non and las evening issued the following
prOciaEna alton;
"ExsCUTIvE OFFICE, STATE OF ILLINOIS
I'd j. OIL sby, G0U.THoF-To the People
Of the State Of Illinois: A great calamity has
fallen upon the city OF Mount Vernon. Jeffer-
son County, in our State. On yesterday after
noon cyclone swept over that city leaving
death, devastation and ruin in ITS track Ad-
vices up 10 this time state that
more than thirty persons were killed, 100
severely and some fatally wounded. and 1000
OF is citizens are left homeless and destitute.
A calamity such as this falling suddenly upon
a ueaceful people at this lnclement season Of
the year must of necessity infiIct serious and
distressing loss and misery. Such misfort-
une can not but appeal TO the deepest SYM
PATTY Of a generous public, and TO that public
in the name OF the whole people OF the State I
without hesitation appeal for immediate aid
ana encC fragment. 1t is well known that the
General Assembly places no appropriation at
the disposal OF the Executive to be used on 90
casions like this. l therefore request
mayors of cities and all religious and
charitable associations, societ es and as
sociatons to lend a helping hand in
this hour OF sorrow and distress by as
sistng in raising confribut ons for the relief
OF those people. All subscriptions in money or
other supplies viii be forwarded 70 George W
Evans. chairman OF the local finance comm E
tee Mount Vernon, jefferson County, IL In
witness whereof have hereunio set my hand
and caused the great seal OF the State to be
affixed.
Done at the city OF Springfield this 2oth
day of February, A. d. 1888.
RICHARD J. OGLEsBY.
by the Governor-Henry u. Dement,, SEQ
Rotary Of State"
The Governor also sent the following
telegram to George IL YarnelI, mayor Of
Mount Vernon:
"The great calamity Of yesterday to
the people and city OF Mount Vernon
Ills the publ heart with Sorrow. Is there
any Thing the State can d. to relieve present
q stresses u the way OF supplies, tents, or 9TH
erwise 10 aid the suffering community Please
telegraph me the condition of affairs this
morning. DR.. RGuGh, Of the State Board Of
Health and Adiutant-general Vance Will leave
on the first train to-day for Mount Vernon.
ar. j. oGLEssV."
MOUNT VERNON, Ill. Feb. 21- Floods of
kilograms hive cen received asking about
friends Among these messages were also
offers of ass s,ance, end before night dona-
tons exceeding 81, 200 in cash had been
telegraphed and promises for much more.
Il is just being learned that none of the
buildings have insurance against storms,
and the enormous loss is total TO the own
ers Of the property
V4SDAIIl IN Feb 81 The citizenS LAST