Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1888-02-25
MOUNT vERNoN,s MISFORTUNE

j
A Scene of Utter Desc alton in the Path
of the Cycione-Over 400 Houses De-
molished, Thirty-Six Lives Lost, 147
Persons Badly Hurt and OFer $5OO,OOO
Worth of Property Destroyed ~ Relief
Asked For-Governor Osle ,by's Procla-
nation.
THE LOSS OVER $5OO,OOO
MOUNT VERNON, ILL.,, Feb 21-The world
at large has already been informed 5hst the
town OF Mount Vernon, the beautiful lit e
capital of Jefferson County, has been vis-
lied by great calamity, but what has been
printed gives buta feeble ide of what has
befalien the $500 people who had
Their homes there. Those who have at
tempted to count the dead and COM
pute the loss in dollars and cents
are unable to give accurate figures. Tue
most reliable figures obtainable show that
thirsy-six 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 SO ne can
not survive their hurts. A moderate esti-
mate shows that 48O buildings large and
small, were 1eveled to the ground or
oWASoCu duu WItuCA0u 80 Uud1 Uuey WILL
have to be rebuilt before tenants dare &C.
cupy them. The loss financially has been
placed at little over 100000, but
an estimate, based on careful sur
vey of the situation, shows that
81 100000 will hardly cover the loss.
Summing up tile county building, the
churches, business houses and stock of
goods aggregate loss of $4lO,OOO; fine
residences totally destroyed, $3S, 600; fine
residences injured $1O,OOO cottages,
warehouses, barns, etc., Sl15, 900; total,
$573, 600 Other incidentals will increase
this
1t has been discovered that the cyclone
formed one and one-half miles southwest of
Mount Vernon and Travelled in a north
easterly direction. 1t was first seen upon
the crest of the hill, where it appeared
as black and funnel-shaped mass of
whirling, twis ing clouds. The roar was
loud and ominous, and the natives say
that it closely resembled the rumble of a
heavily 10 lded tra:r.
THE COMMITTEES APPEAL.
The following CIRCULAR was issued yester-
day morning and is now being sent through
the mails:
$ MOUNT VERNON, ILL.,, Feb. 2O.-To The MHyor
and Citizens: The city of Mount v rnon. H..
was visited by terrible cyclone Oh yesterday
afternoon, which carried death and destruction
In its path. About thirty people were killed
outright and scores of men, women and
children are maimed woueded and
bleeding, and about 1000 people are
made homeless by the disaster. Some 800
houses are swept almost from the face OF
the EARTH among which are the county court
house. publc-school buildings Methodist and
Baptist churches, Supreme Court building,
n pf he evil r.
road, and many of the leading business houses
are also total wrecks, their contents being
buried beneath the debris. A raging fire
Which broke out also destroyed much OF
the property which might otherw Sc
have been saved from the ruins. We are
sorely in distress and are forced to call upon
the charitable people Of the country Tor money
and such other timely assistance as they NAV
feel able to contribute. Money is needed more
than provisions, as there are few business
houses that may be able to supply the demand.
Send cash contributions, if possible, to
GEORGE W. EVANS,
"Chairman Finance Committee.
NORMAN H. Moss. Secretary
AID FOR THE SUFFERERS.
ST LOUIS, Feb. 21. - The citizens of
Mount Vernon, as soon as the injured had
been released from their perilous positions
and the wounded turned over to the care
lied permanently. The City Council acted
promptly and appropriated $500 for imme.
date relief, and although there is no money
In the city fund the order was quickly
cashcd by the banks
- SpR4sorIELn,-I l,-Fah-o 1 Cover n y,
Oglesby yesterday received notice that
1000 persons are homeless at Mount Yer
non and last evening issued the following
proclamaton:
"ExECUTIvE OFFICE, STATE OF ILLINOIS
Richard IT, Ogles6y, GoUe7nor-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 to this time state thai
more than thirty persons were killed, 1O(
severely and some fatally wounded and LOO
| Of its citizens are left homeless and destitute
A calamity such this falling suddenly upor
peaceful people at this inclement season O.
the year must of necessity inf1lct serious anG
distressing loss and misery. Such a misfort
une can not but appeal to the deepest sym
pathy OF generous public, and to that publ,
in the name of the whole people of the State
| without hesitation appeal for Immediate ait
and encouragement. 1t is well known that the
| General Assembly places no appropriation a
the disposal of the Executive to be used on oc
casions like this. I therefore reuues
/ mayors of cities and all religious ant
charitable associations, societ es and as
sociations to lend helping hand il
| this hour of sorrow and distress by as
sisting in raising contributions for the relic
| of those people. ALI subscriptions in money o.
4 other supplies will be forwarded to George w
| Evans, chairman of the local finance commit
tee. Mount Vernon, Jefferson County Ill. Il
witness whereof have hereunto set my han,
and caused the great seal of the State to b.
affixed.
"Done at the city of Springfield this 2Otl
day of February AID 1888.
RICHARD J. OGLESBY.
BY the Governor-Henry u. Dement,, Sec
rotary of State
The Governor also sent the following
telegram to George r. Varnell, mayor O
Mount Vernon:
"The great calamity of yesterday t.
the people and city of Mount Vernon
fills the public heart with sorrow Is Their
any thing the State can do to relieve presen
distresses in the way of supplies, tents or 9th
erwlse to aid the suffering community? Pleas
telegraph me the condition of affairs thi
morning. DR.. Rauch, of the State Board G
Health, and Adjutant- Vance will leay
on the first train to-day for Mount Vernon
''R. j. OGLEsBY''
MOUNT VERNON, ILL.,, Feb. 21.-Floods g
kilograms have Teen received asking abou
friends Among these messages were ais
offers of assistance, and before night dona
tions exceeding 200 in cash had bee
telegraphed and promises for much more
1t is just being learned that none of tn
! buildings have insurance against storms
and the enormous loss is total to the own
ers Of the property.
VANDAL1A, Ill, Feb 21. The citizens las
night raised $l13 for the relief OF the CIV
clone sufferers at Mount Vernon.
BRITISH Distribution.
Seven Hundred Thousand Farm Labor