Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-09-27
DEATH In EURUS' BREATH
Whole Towns Wiped Out by the Cy-
clone That Swept Cuba.
Hundreds Of Lives Lost.
Crops Irretrivahly Ruined and the
Capital City Converted Into
Venice.

New YoRK.-A letter received from
HAVANA, under date OF Sept. s, gives the
following particulars of the recent ey-
clone which swept over Cuba.
The most terrific and destructive storm
that has visited the island of Cuba within
the memory of her Oldest inhabitants,
passed through the city Sept. s, and
swept onward 10 its wild course, causing
general CONSERVATION and rum. The
losses foot up millions, and the number
of dead is variously stated at from 500 to
1000. The cyclone entered the island by
way OF Sagua, and taking a westerly d.
rection, with q slight northe n inclina-
ton, its center passed almost over
Havana. For fifteen hours 1t ragea with
desperate fury, and wrought desperate
havoc on fe and property throughout
the island. It demolished the principal
buildings of the large cities, and wiped
out whole towns situated on the seaboarG.
The water flooded large districts of fer
tile land, richly planted with sugar,
tobacco, fruit and vegetables, destroying
the valuable machinery on the plantation
and irretrivably running the crops. Co
ing out to sea, the storm i'm parted its
fury to the ocean, which rose so a great
heighth and inundated the water fronts,
breaking down the wharves and occasion
ing great losses TO shipping and com
merce. The water
oYERCAME ALL OBSTACLES,
and made its way into the storage and
manufacturing houses near the coast.
Some buildings gave way under the
great pressure and in al cases the CON
| tents were seriously damaged. Gigantic
waves swept the decks OF the vessels in
the harbors and crates were washed over
board. Anchor chains were snapped
asunder as if they had been threads, and
| the vessels, like feathers, were carried
hither and thither by the wind and hurl
ed against the coast or dashed against
one another. In some instances crafts
were carried half mile into the cities.
while blocks of houses and trees being
battered down as the vessels cut their pas
sage through the streets. Havana pre-
sents novel sight. It's streets and pub
| lie squares piled high with the ruins of
demolished buildings and debris OF every
cription, give it the appearance Of
bombarded city. The waters of Havana
bay, being closely pent up within small
harbor, acquired a tremendous force, and
destroyed everything within its reach.
The northern part of HAVANA was con
were subm 3rged. For some time peo-
| pie made use of boats in their attempts
to reach their houses, but they were soon
| forced to desist, as the violence Of the
storm rendered it utterly i'm possible to
keep up traffic OF any kim. Many bar
ges, containing valuable cargoes and a
great number OF sal ing vessels, of every
description, lying in the harbor were cap
zized. The
WIND PLAYED SAD HAVOC
also. The magnificent set of palm trees
in the public squares and boulevards
were blown down, hardly tree remains
in the piazas DO Tacon, do Armas, Gel
Cristo, and de la Iofanta. or of the
hundreds that exi1ted in a continuous
line from Ia Punta to the Calzada del
Monte. In the artillery school, the cell
ing gave away and the doors were smash
ed in. The fences and grand stands of
! the rival base ball clubs were destroyed
The ceilings of the Louvre cafe and the
Irola tn atre fell, and those of the cafe
Dom mica aR6 Tacon theatre are liable to
fall at any moment. Throughout the
city many lives have been lost. Women
and children suffered most. The poor
people, who for the greater part, lived on
the lowland near the bay, have lost every
| thing. Reports of similar damage come
from all parts of the island. The loss at
Cardenas is placed at 100000. The
rich Vuetta Abajo tobacco has been ruin
ed, and it is said 100000 will not cover
the losses. Not a single house is left
standing at Guanajayao. Many vessels
were lost and their crews drowned.
J In the district of Rogue, springs which
have been dry for lorg time are again
flowing. and some states are in danger
of being submerged. This temperance
of the springs excites general alarm
throughout the district.