Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-20
The City Of -Wilkesbarre Ground to
Pieces by a Terrific Cyclone.
OVER A SCORE OF LIVES LOST.
The Old Colony Disaster Described
by Eye Witnesses.
LABOR LEADERS CONFER IN NEW YORK
wILKESBARRE's CYCLONE.
Latest Particulars OF the DEATH Deal
ing Storm.

quence to the terrible devastation and COM
plete CONSERVATION that followed the cyclone
which travelled through this city late yesterday
afternoon and the fact that darkness so quickly
| enveloped the valley il was impossible to
gather much intelligence az to the extent OF
the damage and loss of life. As time grows on
the severity of the cyclone is more aud more
demonstrated, and it is singular that 80 COM
paratlvely few lives were lost. Immense build
! ings containing many people were unroofed
and In many cases almost destroyed in the
twinkling Of An eye, and this at an hour when
the people were about the streets amid flying
timber and debris Of every character. The city
In its most frequented part around the depots
presents its worst appearance, and when II is
remembered that passenger and freight cars
were lifted from the tracks upon which they
stood and laid on their Sides while other cars
were rushed along the track by the force of
| the cyclones swirl, a small conception of it's
terrific velocity may be obtained.
The cyclone made its appearance so suddenly
and was accompanied by such portentous skies
that at once the stouteet hearts we're appalled,.
especially 80 when at high altitude were seen
tin roofs, timber and all sorts of movable
things, and the skies were a thick black mass
such as Is shown at the time of an immense
| confagration. About $50 o'clock huge black
cloud which had been gathering southwest Of
the town in the direction OF Plymouth began
to discharge tremendous thunderbolts. The
lightning played with remarkable frequency
and streams of the electric fire poured from
| midheaven. That a heavy downpour of rain
was imminent was readily to be seen and all
sought shelter. Later an unusual center of
| activity was noticeable in the vicinity of Lee
Park. The lower clouds began scuddng in
| great circles at tremendous speed. Their vor-
tex seemed close in the vicinity but 10 the
north of the cutlery works at South Wilkes
barre q sudden gust OF wind sprang up and in
moment had increased to a roar.
THE FIRST SHOCK.
The Vulcan iron works, James Norris foun-
dry and the Keystone Flour Mill felt the first
shock, the wind dashing the heavy materials
| about like straws. The storm swept on up
Main street. razing the buildings on the west
| side of that thoroughfare. Everything was
touched with a heavy hand. The beautiful
! shade trees were cast into the street Then it
struck the. Handsome residences stores, green
! houses, pottery works, &C., along Main street
| the storm extended to the lower end.of Frank
lin street and Dana place. Brick dwellings
| were unroofed and the upper stories torn away
| and some were leveled to the ground. SouthMain
with fallen trees, roofs, timbers and wire. yeer-
| ing eastward the storm swept out Ross and
| Hazel streets, then upSouth Washington street.
extending as far east on Ross as the Hazard
wire rope works II followed Washington
street. wrecked St Marys Church, then Jumped
depot, Stegemayer's brewery and swept along
the railroad to Five Points. Here it turned
eastward again. swept up Pearl street, out by
Baltimore Shaft, No. 2, then dashed up the
mountain side and spent itself in the woods.
The scene at the Hazard wire rope works
was terrible. The immense building was badly
injured, and in the debris lay the dead and
injured, the latter helpless until assistance
came to them. Here one of the worst phases
OF the cyclones work could be realized. the
haIn ,raiv rod xrtsb hrir
mortar and general debris in a confused mass.
The number Of seriously injured men at these
works exceeds twelve, and there were two
killed.
Terrible was the scythe sweep of the cyclone
at Five Points, portion of this city. Mothers
with their children in their arms cried to
heaven for help. Their frail homes were about
| them, the air outside was filled with falling
buildings and debris Of all sorts. They knew
not which way to turn and in their extremity
called to heaven for help. Near the Delaware
and Hudson railroad, on Scott street. were
houses occupied by the families Of James Nc
Ginley and James Henagan. All the members
of these two families were at home while the
fearful destruction was going on powerless TO
do anything for their safety.
WHOLE FAMILY KILLED.
Both houses were leveled to the ground and
the inmates we're held in the ruins by the
debris. Mrs. Eliza Jane Mckinley aged about
her breast were crushed to death. Every
spark Of life was extinct when the neighbors
carried them out of the ruins. John McGin-
ley, aged thirteen years, was crushed TO death.
Mary Jane Mckinley, little daughter, was so
severely hurt and crushed that but little hope
is entertained Of her recovery. The family of
James Henagan could not be found in
the ruins of their home and fears
are entertained that they perished
The Barber Asphalt Company works are blown
1nxy II Eos - 4. 4
block on Market street, containing ten whole
sale stores, is among the ruins. The Murray
coal breaker was partially destroyed with
heavy loss. The mammoth Hollenback breaker
is complete wreck, the roof being blown of
and the windows all blown IN. The structure
is completely disjointed and will have to be en-
tirely rebuilt. The front of the engine house
was also blown in. The fans were stopped
while "a men we're at work in the Hillman vein
but luckily they were able to start them right
was damaged, the work OF conveying
the men to the top was accomplished without
accident. 1t was very narrow escape. -Four
men standing on the beams were able to guide
the rope Of the drum and it took several hours
to hoist them from the Hillman to the Balti-
more vein. They were then able TO walk up to
the surface in safety. As showing the force Of
the storm, the large trestle work held down by
the rope was blown from under it and carried
away. Bloss 4 Whites mining drill works on
Scott street are destroyed, as is also the house
adjoining it.
MANY BUILDINGS DEsrRoYED.
The houses between the valley tracks on the
same street ere gone. Bright's oil warehouse,
oil barrels and all are blown away. Up How
man, Scott and Kidder streets all Of the houses
at the lower ends thereof are either blown down
or severely damaged The cyclone went up
Pearl street to Baltimore No. 2, new breaker,
which is damaged to extent Of thousands and
thousands of dollars. The boiler house aud
barn are blown over. Frank Fulrod, who was
at work there, was % seriously injured that
death is looked for at any moment Three
hundrsA girls were at work In Galland's under
wear factory on South Washington street All
were panic stricken when the storm came. Mr.
Galland rushed among them and endeavored
to calm and keep them together, but four or
five rushed out and were slightly injured Mr..
Galland could not succeed in quieting those.
who remained In the building. They rushed
about In all directions A large number tainted
and several we're thrown into convulsona.
The girls were gradually 'calmed when the
storm subsided and al left for their homes ex-
cept those who we're seized with Mysteries and
they were taken homo IN carriages later. The
roof Of the building vas blown on and al the
glass at the front was broken i
The ninth regiment II on duty in answer 70
. proclsmaton bg the mayor. The soldiers
are assisting he police in maintaining order |
and ere everyuhere eager 70 assist and do |
Ihsssvsr b aaksA sunsnploysd men viii 10 l