Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-21

Its Severity More Terrible Than at First
Reported.
W-LKEsBARRE, August 20th.-As time
goes on The severity of the cyclone yester-
day is more and more demonstrated. I'M
mense buildings 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 the flying timbers and de-
bris of every character.
The city in its most frequented part,
around the depot, presents the worst ap-
pearance, 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 force of the cyclones
swirl, small conception of its terrific We
locity may be obtained.
COURSE OF THE STORM.
An unusual center of activity was no.
ticeable in the vicinity of Lee Park. The
lower clouds began scudding in great cir
cles at tremendous speed. Their vortex
seemed close in the vicinity but to the
north of the cutlery works at South
Wilkesbarre. A sudden gust of wind sprang
up, and in q moment had increased to a
roar.
The storm swept on up the main street,
razing the buildings on tie west side of
that thoroughfare. Then it struck hand
some residences, stores, greenhouses. the
pottery works, etc along Main street as far
as Academy street.
The western edge of the storm extended
to the lower end of Franklin street and
Dana Place Brick dwellings were I'M
rooted and upper stories torn away, and
some were leveled to the ground. South
Main and Franklin streets were completely
blocked with fallen trees, roofs, timbers
and wire. VeeriDg eastward the storm
swept out Ross and Hazel streets, then up
south Washington street. extending as far
east on Ross as the Hazard Wirerope
Works. It followed Washington street,
wrecked st. Mary's Church, then jumped
to the Lehigh Valley depot, the Jersey Gen.
trail depot, Stet MARES brewery and swept
along the railroad to Five Points. Here it
turned East and again swept up Pearl
street, out by Baltimore shaft No. 2. and
dashed up the mountain and spent itself
in the woods.
INMATES BURIED UNDER THE RUINS.
The scene at the Heard Wire-rope Works
was terrible. The immense building was
badly injured, aud in the debris lay the
dead and injured, the latter helpless until
assistance came to them. Here one of the
WO1o PhoSCo VI thC WIN COQAo
be realized, the ponderous machinery be-
ing mixed with brick and mortar and the
general debris in confused mass. The
number of seriously injured men at these
works exceeds twelve and there were two
killed.
Near the Delaware and Hudson Railroad,
on Scott street, were houses occupied BY
the families of James Mckinley and James
Henegan. All the members of these two
families were at home while the fearful
destruction was going on and powerless to
do anything for their safety. Both houses
were leveled 10 the ground and the inmates
were held in the ruins by the debris. Mrs.
Eliza Jane MCKINLEY, aged about twenty
eight years, and the babe she held to her
breast, were crushed to death. John
Mckinley, 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 re-
covery.
The fsmily of John Henagan could not
be found in the ruins of their home and
fears are entertained that they all per-
ished.
THE LOSS.
A careful estimate places the number of
buildings demolished and partially de-
stroyed al nearly 400. The loss will prob
ABLY reacn nearly, ii not quite, 81 ,UOU,U0O.
The number killed is eleven; the fatally
injured ten; the severely injured twenty
four.
THE KILLED AND IrJURED.
The list OF dead Is as follows: Nett.e
Thompson, Eva Martin, John Fritz, Peter
Riltenmyer. Mrs. Eliza ]. Mckinley and
her infart, John McGiniey, Joseph Kern,
Adam Frantz. George Hamilton and an
unknown Hungarian employed at Steg-
maier's brewery.
The fatally injured are: Franklin WEIGH,
John Housch, John Long and an unknown
employee of the Delaware and Hudson
Railroad, James McGonley, Berlin Van
denmark, Frank Fulrod, Mrs. Barrett of
Maxwell street (hurt internally, Mary Nc
Ginley Isaiah Newsbigel and prominent
contractor of Davis street.
The Wilkesbarre Record places the num-
Der of buildings wrecked by the cyclone at
400 The damages range from 500 to
$50 900. The total loss is estimated at over
a million dollars.