The tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1890, 1890-04-02
METROPOLIS IN RUINS,
The Cyclone Cut Swath Quarter Of
Mile Wide Through the
Town.
Between 200 and 300 Houses Demol.
ished--Number Of Dead Unknown
But Large.
Little Prairie, Grand Tower, Nashville
and Other Illinois Towns Wrecked
Casualty List Heavy.

CAIRO, March 81.---The cyclone struck
the town of Metropolis, Ills, some
twenty-five miles above here Oh the Illi-
nois side Of the Ohio river and cut a
clean swath about a quarter Of a mile
wide clear across the town, wrecking
property of all descriptions and burying
men women and children in the debris
of falling buildings. The number Of VIC
Tins could not be ascertalned but it is
reported that several persons were killed
or wounded and between 200 and 300
houses were swept from their founda-
tions and dashed to pieces.
But the storm was past in moment,
and then came a binding rain. People
outside the path of the storm were
quickly on the streets and as fast as
possible the victims were taken from the
ruins. One entire family of six persons
whose names were not learned was
crushed by the falling Of wall. In
many instances two or three members of
family were killed, and in hardly a
house in the path of the cyclone did all
escape. One woman was found dead
with babe clasped in her arms and a
little girl by her side, all three horribly
crushed, while the nearly distracted
father, himself desperately wounded,
lay short distance away. The rain
soon ceased and the
Full Horror Of tho Situation
became apparent. On every side could
be heard the groans of the dying and all
around lay the mangled bodies of the
dead. Scores of bodies were removed
from the ruins and the wounded were
taken to the homes of those who had es-
capped the calamity and given every pos
sible attention, but many doubtless died
from lack Of proper medical attendance.
Ten physicians left here for the scene.
In the business district the havoc was
terrible. Stores that had been cousid-
cred substantial were demolished in an
instant, and the goods
The cyclone entered the town on the
south and west, sweeping everything
before it, Small barns and outbuildings
were caught up by the whirlwind and
carried with crushing force against
larger structures. Trees were twisted
off short and hurled long distances.
Fences were leveled in the country for
miles before the cyclone reached Metrop-
oils and for miles beyond.
Havoc at Grand Tower.
CARBoNDALE, Ills.. March 31.-A dis
astrous cyclone passed through Jackson
county. At Grand Tower a coach on
the Grand Tower and Carbondale rail-
road was blown from the track. A
number of houses were leveled to the
ground and three lives are reported lost.
Near Murphysboro, Mr.. Linsleys dwell
ing was literally blown to pieces, his
child killed and his wife dangerously in
jured. The banking house of William
Wilkes was unroofed and several houses
more or less damaged.
At Little Prairie,
the storm destroyed the residence of
William Rhine, and Mr. Rhine was badly
hurt. his leg and arm being broken. He
is also internally injured and not ex-
pected to live. Two Of his children were
carried q quarter of mile to the home
Of David Smith. They were uninjured.
Smiths house was destroyed. He rushed
out with his little girl and tree fell on
them. Neither is expected to live. Fritz
krum's house was blown away and he
and his wife probably fatally injured
Henry Taylor and his family had a like
fate. Two young ladies, Miss Morris
and Miss Maggie Simonds will die from
their injuries. All the doctors have gone
from this district to attend the injured,
There is Polish settlement directly in
the path of the storm which has not
been heard from, and it is feared great
less of life has occurred there.