Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-08-28
AFTER THE CYCLONE.
The Scene of Devastation Pre-
sented in Wilkesbarre, Pa
Immense Buildings Demolished. Trains
Lifted from the Tracks and Havoc
Present Everywhere-List of the
Killed and Injured.

fell so quickly upon the valley and the
excitement everywhere was so intense
that it was impossible to gather much
intelligence as to the extent of the dam
age TO property and loss of life. Now,
however, the severity of the cyclone
is more and more demonstrated,
and it is remarkable that so
comparatively few lives were
lost. Immense buildings, in which
were many people, were unroofed, and
in many cases almost instantly demol-
ished, and this at time when Wilkes
barre's streets are most crowded. 1t is,
indeed, singular how so many people
escaped the flying timber and debris of
every character. Around the depotS-
the most frequented part of the city
the worst scenes are presented; and
when it 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 great
force of the cyclone, a small conception
OF its terrific velocity may be obtained.
So sudden did the storm make its APP
pearance, and with it such protentuous
skies, that the stouteSt hearts were at
once appalled,, and especially so when
at a high altitude were seen tin roofs,
timber and all sorts of movable things
and the skies were thick, black mass,
such as is shown at the time of an i'm
mense conflagration.
Tremendous thunderbolts and light
ming began to assert themselves about
half-past five o'clock. 1t was evident
that heavy down-pour of rain would
come upon the town in few moments
and all who could sought shelter. Later
an unusual center of activity was notice
able in the vicinity of Lee Park. The
lower clouds began scudding in great
circles at terrific speed. Their
vortex seemed close in the vicinity,
but to the north of the cutlery
works at South Wilkes barre. A sudden
gust of wind sprang I'D ard in moment
had increased to roar. The Vulcan
Iron Works. James Norris foundry and
the Keystone Flour Mill felt the first
shock. Heavy materials OF all de-
scriptions were dashed about like so
much chaff Main street was in the di-
rect path of the storm ana the buildings
on the west side of that thoroughfare
suffered badly. Shade trees were up
rooted, and, in fact, but little
was left untouched OF, Main street
until Academy street was reached.
The western edge of the storm extend
ed to the lower end of Franklin street
and Dana Place. Brick dwellings were
unroofed and the upper stories torn
away, and some were leveled to the
ground. Fallen trees and timbers COM
pletely blocked South Main and Frank
lin streets. The storm swept out Ross
y
Washington street, extending as far |
east as the Hazard Wire Rope |
Works. The storm swept along |
the railroad to Five Points, where it |
turned eastward again up Pearl street, |
out by Baltimore Shaft No. p then |
dashed up the mountains and spent it.
self in the woods. The sweep of the |
cyclone at Five Points was terrible.
The frail houses were blow away, and |
tho air was filled with debris from the
falling timbers. Mothers with their
children in their arms. knowing not
which way to turn, in their extremity
called to Heaven for help.
On Scott street the houses occupied
by the families of James Mckinley and
James Henegan, were leveled to the
ground. Mrs. Eliza Jane Mckinley.
dSeu dbOuG I"cutJ-eIeHG years, anu neE
young babe were crushed to death. as
was John Mckinley, youth of thirteen
years. Mary Jane Mckinley, the little
daughter of this most unhappy house
hold, was so mangled and crushed that
death will probably come to relieve her
sutferings.
In the ruins of the Henegan residence
no trace of its late occupants could be
found, and hopes are entertained that
they may have been absent at the time
of the catastrophe and so escaped.
The Barber Asphalt Works, L. T.
Brown & Co. extensive business block
on Market street, comprising ten whole
sale stores; the hurry Coal Breaker and
the Hollenbeck breaker have all been
so seriously injured that a great ex-
penditure of both time and money will
be necessary to place the va
riouS establishments in working
order. This means sad loss
of employment to the wage-earners
who are least able to confront the ca
lamity.
In the Hillman mine while twenty
seven men were at work the fans were
stopped. but luckily they were able to
start them again, and although the |
nOlSGinS apparatus was managed, une |
men were brought to the top in safety. |
They, however, had a very narrow es-
cape. it occupying several hours in
hoisting them from the Hillman to the
Baltimore vein.
The drill works of Bloss & White, |
and the house adjoining on Scott street,
are destroyed. Bright's oil warehouse
was blown away. At the lower end of |
bowman. Scott and Kidder streets all |
the houses there are either blown en-
tirely down or badly wrecked.
The new breaker No. on Pearl street |
is damaged thousands of dollars, the /
boiler-house and barn being blown over.
Frank Fulrod, who was at work there at |
the time. was fatally injured.
Three hundred girls were at work in |
Gallaud's underwear factory on South
Washington street. All became panic
stricken when the storm came. Mr.. |
Gallaud rushed among them and tried |
to calm them, but some four or five |
rushed out and were slightly injured. |
Those in the building rushed about in |
all directions. A large number tainted |
and several were thrown into convul- |
sions. The girls were gradually calmed |
and taken to their homes The build |
ing was badly damaged.
In answer to a proclamation by the |
mayor, the Ninth Regiment is on duty |
and is assisting the police in maintain |