The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-05-31
FEARFUL CYCLONE.
The Town of Hillsboro Visited by q
Terrible Disas err.

From Mondays News.
Hu1sDoRo, May PA cy lone swept
over this place about a. IA. to-day with
disastrous results The terrible blow
lasted ffteen minutes. The first sign of
approaching danger appeared just after
sunrise in the shape of two immense
bodies of black clouds rapidly approach
ing each other. The air was extremely
still and sultry. The clouds upon coming
together assumed funnel shape and
d trted with lightning rapidity to the
earth, striking and completely demol-
ishing the residence of Mr.. j.
A. McGehee, one mile northwest
of this place. The cyclone then
proceeded toward the town, devastating
every thing in It's path. The east end OF
Haley's mil, situated in the northern
suburbs, was torn off, and a number of
large trees standing in the yard uprootsd.
By the time it struck this place, though
8 i'll travelling at terrific rate Of speed,
its fury was considerably spent. The
Missouri Pacific depot, Methodist church,
Pettit's academy, Cumberland church and
numerous other structures are wrecked
The sidewalk awnings in thu east and
west parts of the town are down. The
brick establishment of Mrs. j. A. Pas
chal is partly blown down and her
stock of goods ruined. The fronts of the
brick building on EN- stree, occupied
by Thomp on and Blakey, E. 2. Hord, ii.
S. Altway, Ya'es Brothers, Pate, Lurk q
Co., and the postofice were blown off and
all the stocks badly damaged. There is
scarcely a residence here that escaped in
ko tha i
ness portion of the town presented woe
full appearance. Awnings we're missed
everywhere, doors blown down, and water
standing in sone houses several inches
deep. Uantellos' able, on the north side
of the square, was found to be completely
demolished. Strange to say, three horses
in it escaped with slight injuries. w. S.
Herd, Western Union operator in this
place, sustained severe injuries IN conse-
quence of falling bricks, while walking in
front of Yates Bros drug store. Captain
R. G. We, It had two fingers crushed. w.
S, McFadden's residence was blown from
it's foundation, and his little girls arm
broken by falling timSer5. Upon hearing
a rumor to the effect that whole family
named MEG eehee, had been killed about
one mile west of town, the Nsws reporter
repaired at once to the scene, and on in
We tigatioc found it to be incorrect.
Nothipg save the cooking stove
and foundation timbers remained
where q neat cottage stood only a
few moments before. Mr.. McGehee and
family we found at the residence of
Mr.. Rollins. a short distaLce off, all suffer
ing from injuries sustained in the blow.
Upon entering the room heartrending
scene was presented to the gaze. On a
small bed in the center of the room lay
the mother moaning as il III terrible
agony. Her head was badly gashed and
bruised, and she had also sustained in
ternal injuries, which, i'll her present con,
dision, being near confinement, will
probably end fatally. Lying on bed IN
the corner of the room were three small
children more or less injured.
Thousands of dollars worth of property
has been destroyed, and months will bt
required to replace the damage done by
the cyclones fearful fifteen minutes work